The present application is directed to a deep fryer for cooking foodstuff using a liquid and, more particularly, to a deep fryer or cooking apparatus that permits a user to properly drain the cooked foodstuff before removing the cooked foodstuff from the deep fryer.
Deep fryers are a relatively common household or restaurant appliance that are used to cook or fry foodstuff, typically chicken breasts, turkey breasts, French fries or other foodstuff that is desired to be fried. A typical deep fryer includes a housing which holds the cooking oil or other liquid to be heated, a basket which is placed inside the housing which holds the foodstuff to be cooked and a lid to enclose the deep fryer. A heating coil, located inside the deep fryer, heats the liquid to a desired temperature.
When removing the cooked foodstuff from within the deep fryer, the hot liquid inside the deep fryer can create a potential safety hazard. It is desirable that a user properly drains the basket and foodstuff while the foodstuff is located within the deep fryer to assure that the hot liquid is not spilled outside of the deep fryer. In the same sense, it would be desirable to provide structure within the deep fryer that permits a user to properly drain the hot liquid from the foodstuff before the foodstuff is removed from the deep fryer.
When removing the basket from a conventional deep fryer, it is important that the user has full control over the basket to assure that hot liquid is not spilled outside of the deep fryer. It would be desirable to include handles on the basket that allow the user complete control over the motion of the basket as the basket is removed from the deep fryer. In the same sense, it would be desirable to provide a user with several options to remove the basket from the deep fryer. For instance, it would be desirable to provide one or more handles of varying shapes and locations to accommodate the needs and dexterity of a user.
Further, conventional deep fryers often come with several components or pieces that fit together, such as the lid, housing and basket. Typically, it is the user's responsibility to properly position the components together before cooking the foodstuff. However, this can create a safety hazard if the user does not properly assemble the deep fryer before beginning to cook the foodstuff. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a deep fryer with a structure that assures that the components of the deep fryer are properly assembled before the deep fryer is used for cooking.
Briefly stated, the present invention is directed to a deep fryer for cooking foodstuff using a liquid. The deep fryer includes a housing and a pot positioned in the housing for receiving the liquid. A basket is removably positioned in the liquid inside the pot. A basket bracket is located on an interior surface of the pot above the liquid. The basket bracket suspends the basket above the liquid. The basket bracket also permits the basket to be tilted at a predetermined angle relative to the pot to remove or insert the basket from the pot.
In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a deep fryer. The deep fryer includes a housing and a pot positioned in the housing. A basket is removably positioned in the pot. The basket includes first and second handle attachment brackets that mount each of first and second handles to opposite sides of the basket.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention described in the present application, there is shown in the drawings, an embodiment which is presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:
Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right”, “left”, “lower” and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the dispensing blender and designated parts thereof. The terminology includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.
Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals are used to indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in
The housing 14 is supported by the bottom cover 12 which rests on a countertop or table top (not shown). The bottom cover 12 includes a plurality of feet 16 to assure that the deep fryer 10 is stably positioned on a countertop or table top. In the preferred embodiment, the housing 14 includes at least two lifting handles 18 on opposite sides to assist a user in lifting or positioning the deep fryer 10. It is understood by those skilled in the art that the lifting handles 18 are not required on the exterior of the housing 14. It is also understood that the handles 18 can take a variety of forms and shapes without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
In reference to
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 5-8, a basket 26 is removably positioned in the liquid inside the pot 20. In the preferred embodiment, the basket 26 is formed of a mesh, or wire-like construction to allow the liquid to freely flow through the sides and bottom of the basket 26. The basket 26 is preferably formed of a high strength, light weight material such as a metallic alloy. However, it is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the basket 26 can be formed of other light weight and high strength materials that can withstand high temperatures. For example, the sides and bottom of the basket 26 can be substantially solid with holes formed therein to allow the liquid to freely flow through the sides and bottom of the basket 26.
The basket 26 is preferably large enough to hold a chicken or turkey breast (not shown). However, the basket 26 is preferably small enough to allow the basket 26 to be raised and lowered within the pot 20 to submerge or separate the foodstuff from the liquid, as shown in
In the preferred embodiment, the basket 26 includes at least two handles 28, 30 generally equidistantly spaced apart from each other and mounted to the basket 26. The handles 28, 30 provide improved stability to the basket 26 by allowing the user to control the basket 26 from one or both sides. The first and second handles 28, 30 each include a pair of spaced, generally parallel rods 36 that extend from an upper portion 38 of an interior surface of the basket 26. The rods 36 are bent to clear the pot 20, as shown in
In the preferred embodiment, a first distance D1 between the spaced rods 36 of the first handle 28 is greater than a second distance D2 between the spaced rods 36 of the second handle 30. The distances between the spaced rods 36 of the first and second handles 28, 30 are of unequal length to assure that the user properly positions the basket 26 in the deep fryer 10 in a manner which will hereinafter be described. In the preferred embodiment, the first handle 28 is generally L-shaped and the second handle 30 is generally D shaped. However, it is understood by those of skill in the art that the shape of the handles 28, 30 can be changed to allow a user greater control and maneuverability of the basket 26.
Further, the basket 26 includes first and second handle attachment brackets 32, 34 that each mount the rods 36 of the first and second handles 28, 30 to opposite sides of the basket 26. In the preferred embodiment, the first and second handle attachment brackets 32 and 34 each have a generally plate-shaped base 92 with two locking apertures 94 that extend perpendicular from the base 92 for capturing the distal portions of the rods 36. However, it is understood by those skilled in the art that the location and shape of the handle attachment brackets 32, 34 can be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the handle attachment brackets 32, 34 can be located on an exterior sidewall 46 of the basket 26 or can be of any form that allows a user to mount the rods 36 of the handles 28, 30 securely to the basket 26.
The mounting of the rods 36 of the handles 28, 30 to the handle attachment brackets 32, 34 is generally well known to those having ordinary skill in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the rods 36 of the handles 28, 30 are removably mounted to the handle attachment brackets 32, 34 of the basket 26. However, it is understood by those skilled in the art that the rods 36 of the handles 28, 30 are not limited to being removably mounted to the basket 26 by the handle attachment brackets 32, 34. The rods 36 of the handles 28, 30 may be removably mounted to the basket 26 in nearly any manner including clamps, bolts or other similar fastening devices. In addition, the handles 28, 30 are not limited to being removable from the basket 26 and may be fixed to or integral with the basket 26.
In the preferred embodiment, the basket 26 includes a stiffening frame 42 that extends across a bottom 44 of the basket 26 and along at least a portion of an exterior side wall 46 of the basket 26 proximate each of the first and second handles 28, 30. The stiffening frame 42 is comprised of a pair of generally parallel spaced apart elongated rods 42a which are maintained in spaced relation by perpendicular extending spaced apart rods 42b. The stiffening frame 42 of the basket 26 is bent to conform to the shape of the basket 26 and includes a nose 48 that extends from an exterior side wall 46 of the basket 26 proximate the first handle 28. The nose 48 of the stiffening frame 42 spaces the basket 26 from an interior side wall of the pot 20 by a predetermined distance when the basket 26 is located inside the pot 20. The nose 48 of the stiffening frame 42 assures that the basket 26 is maintained in the proper horizontal cooking position, and thus that the foodstuff is evenly cooked, when the basket 26 is located within the deep fryer 10. It is understood by those skilled in the art that the shape and location of the nose 48 can be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The stiffening frame 42 is preferably formed of high strength, light weight material, such as steel. However, it is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the stiffening frame 42 can be formed of other light weight and high strength materials that can withstand high temperatures.
In reference to
In the preferred embodiment, the first distance D1 between the spaced rods 36 of the first handle 28 is greater than the width of the basket bracket 50 so the spaced rods 36 of the first handle 28 permit the bracket 50 to be positioned therebetween. Further, the second distance D2 between the spaced rods 36 of the second handle 38 is less than the width of the basket bracket 50 so that the rods 36 of the second handle 30 do not permit the basket bracket 50 to be positioned therebetween. In this manner, the distances D1, D2 between the spaced rods 36 of the first and second handles 28, 30 assure that the user properly positions the basket 26 within the pot 20 with the D-shaped second handle 30 being positioned opposite the basket bracket 50. The D-shaped second handle 30 provides the user with greater control and stability of the basket 26 for inserting or removing the basket 26 from the pot 20.
In the preferred embodiment, the predetermined angle that is permitted to tilt the basket 26 relative to the pot 20 when removing or inserting the basket 26 from the pot 20 is at least 30 degrees. It has been found that permitting an angle of at least 30 degrees assures that hot liquid located within a breast cavity of a chicken, turkey or other foodstuff is properly drained before a user can completely remove the basket 26 from the pot 20. Thus, permitting a user to tilt the basket to at least a 30 degree angle assures that the hot liquid is drained from the foodstuff while the basket 26 is within the pot 20. The hot liquid is therefore drained from the basket 26 and returned to the interior of the pot 20 and the hot liquid does not create a potential safety hazard outside of the deep fryer 10.
Referring now to
The heating coil assembly 62 extends from the heating element controller 60 into the interior of the pot 20 to heat the liquid. The heating coil assembly 62 is removably mounted to the pot 20 to allow a user to more easily clean the deep fryer 10. It is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the form and shape of the heating element controller 60 and the heating coil assembly 62 can be changed or modified to allow a user to more accurately control the temperature attained by the liquid inside the pot 20. For example, the heating coil assembly 62 can extend around an exterior side wall of the pot 20 to more evenly distribute the heat. Further, the heating element controller 60 can be positioned toward a lower exterior portion of the housing 14 so that the heating element controller 60 does not block a section of the upper rim 24 of the pot 20. At least one bracket 70 attaches temperature and pressure probes (not shown) to the heating coil assembly 62 to allow the heating element controller 60 to properly monitor the temperature and pressure of the liquid within the deep fryer 10.
In reference to
In the preferred embodiment, when a user desires to suspend the basket 26 from the hook bracket 56 of the basket bracket 50, it is not required to remove the lid 72 from the housing 14. At least two pairs of lifting slots 78, located toward an outer periphery of the lid 72 and which extend through the lid 72, are of sufficient width to allow the spaced rods 36 of the first and second handles 28, 30 to move through the lifting slots 78. This feature of the deep fryer 10 allows the basket 26 to assume the position shown in
In reference to
In operation, when a user desires to cook foodstuff within the deep fryer 10, the user places the deep fryer 10 on a table top or countertop and assures that the deep fryer is stable. The user then removes the lid 72 from the top of the housing 14. Next, the user grasps either or both of the first and second handles 28, 30 to remove the basket 26 from within the pot 20. The user then fills a portion of the interior of the pot 20, which has been placed inside the housing 14 of the deep fryer 10, to a desired depth with the liquid that is used to cook the foodstuff. The liquid used to cook the foodstuff is typically oil. However, it is understood by those skilled in the art that other liquids can be used to cook or fry the foodstuff, such as water.
Once the liquid has been placed inside the pot 20, the heating element controller 60 is installed on the housing 14. Next, the user plugs in the power cord (not shown) of the deep fryer 10 into a conventional wall socket (not shown). The user then activates the power switch 66 of the heating element controller 60 and the thermostat knob 64 to set the desired temperature of the liquid. If desired, the timer knob 96 is set to a desired time.
While the basket 26 is outside of the deep fryer 10, a user places the foodstuff inside the basket 26. Next, as the user places the basket 26 inside the deep fryer 10, the basket must be tilted to at least a 30 degree angle to assure that the deflector bracket 54 of the basket bracket 50 does not prevent the basket 26 from being inserted into the pot 20. Once the basket has been tilted to the at least 30 degree angle and has cleared the deflector bracket 54 of the basket bracket 50, the user can then tilt the basket 26 back to a horizontal position and lower the basket 26 into the interior of the pot 20.
As the basket 26 is returned to a horizontal position inside the pot 20, the basket 26 is lowered within the pot 20 until the basket 26 rests on the heating coil assembly 62. In this position, the liquid within the pot 20 should be of sufficient depth such that the foodstuff within the basket 26 is completely submerged. The user then allows the basket 26 holding the foodstuff to cook or fry in the liquid inside the pot 20. When the foodstuff has been cooked, the user can grasp one or both of the first and second handles 28, 30 and move the basket 26 in a vertical direction inside the pot 20 until the hanger bracket 58 of the basket 26 engages the hook bracket 56 of the basket bracket 50. In this position, the basket 26 is above the liquid within the pot 20. The lid 72 of the deep fryer 10 does not need to be removed during this operation (see
Once the user believes the majority of hot liquid has been drained from the foodstuff and basket 26, the user removes the lid 72 and begins to tilt the basket 26 to the at least 30 degree angle. This motion of the basket 26 allows remaining hot liquid located within the foodstuff, such as in a breast cavity of a chicken or turkey, to be drained before the foodstuff is removed from the deep fryer 10. Next, the user can remove the basket 26 from within the pot 20 of the deep fryer 10 making sure that the basket 26 clears the deflector bracket 54 of the basket bracket 50. After the basket 26 has been removed from the deep fryer 10 and the temperature of the deep fryer 10 and liquid has cooled, a user can remove the pot 20 from within the housing 14 and drain the liquid from the pot 20 through the pour spout 22.
Referring to
The steaming rack 110 includes a screen 112, which holds the food items, connecting an outer periphery 114 of the rack 110. Three legs 116 extend from the bottom of the outer periphery 114 and two handles 118 extend from the top of the outer periphery 114 at spaced locations. Further, a cutout 122 in the outer periphery 114 allows the rack 110 to be properly placed inside the deep fryer 10 without interfering with the vertical portion of the heating coil assembly 62 of the deep fryer 10. The steaming rack 110 is preferably formed of a high strength, high temperature resistant material, such as a metallic alloy. However, it is understood by those skilled in the art that the steaming rack 110 can be formed of a variety of high strength and high temperature resistant materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
In operation, a user places enough water (not shown) in the pot 20 of the deep fryer 10 to cover the lower, horizontal portion of the heating coil assembly 62. A user then grasps the handles 118 and places the rack 110 inside the deep fryer 10, making sure to properly align the cutout 122 with the vertical portion of the heating coil assembly 62. The handles 118 allow the rack 110 to be raised or lowered inside the deep fryer 10. Next, a user places food items onto the top of the screen 112 for steaming. The length of the legs 116 allows the lower, horizontal portion of the heating coil assembly 62 to be completely immersed in water while the screen 112 and food items are above the water. The length of the legs 116 therefore provides a proper height for the screen 112 to allow for steaming.
Alternatively, before placing the rack 110 inside the deep fryer 10, a user can flip the rack 110 upside-down so that the two handles 118 extend from the bottom of the outer periphery 114 and the three legs 116 extend from the top of the outer periphery 116. When the rack 110 is placed inside the deep fryer 10, this orientation allows the food items to be boiled in the water since the screen 112 holding the food items is closer to the lower, horizontal portion of the heating coil assembly 62 and thus immersed in the water. In either orientation of the rack 110, the legs 116 or handles 118 ensure that the screen 112 is held above and off the lower, horizontal portion of the heating coil assembly 62.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiment described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.