Patent Application
20140302211
The present invention relates to cooking appliances and in particular to deep fryers.
The invention has been developed primarily for use as a deep fryer for multi-stage cooking (or frying) and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.
Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.
It is an object of the invention in its preferred form to provide an improved deep fryer.
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a device for deep frying, the device including:
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a device for deep frying, the device including:
Preferably, the device includes a load-cell for receiving a fry-basket. More preferably, the load-cell includes a weight sensing element (or module) that can receive the fry-basket with food and generate a signal indicative of the weight of the fry-basket. Most preferably, the load-cell can generate a signal indicative of the fry-basket being received. Typically, the signals are received by a processor module. The load-cell can preferably be automatically raised and lowered under control of the processor module. Alternatively, the fry-basket can preferably be manually raised or lowered into the reservoir.
Preferably, the device includes a location sensing module for determining position of the basket within the reservoir or vessel. More preferably, a location sensing module determines if the basket is in a raised configuration or a lowered configuration. Most preferably the location sensing module includes a sensor and/or switch that is engaged due to the basket being at least one of either the raised configuration or the lowered configuration.
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a device for deep frying, the device including:
Preferably, the device includes location sensing module for determining position of the basket within the reservoir or vessel. More preferably, a location sensing module determines if the basket is in a raised configuration or a lowered configuration. Most preferably, the location sensing module communicate the position of basket to the processor module.
Preferably, the device includes a temperature sensing module for providing a signal indicative of the temperature of cooking medium in the reservoir.
Preferably, the device includes a processor module coupled to a user interface for monitoring operation of the device and receiving input from the user interface. More preferably, the processor module is coupled to a temperature sensing module for receiving a signal indicative of the temperature of cooking medium in the reservoir. Most preferably, the processor module is coupled to a fan for directing air-flow through the air-gap.
Preferably, the load-cell can be automatically raised and lowered under control of the processor module. Alternatively, the fry-basket can preferably be manually raised or lowered into the reservoir. The processor module can generate an indicator to the user to raise and/or lower the fry-basket. The indication can be an audible indicator and/or a visual indicator and/or sensory indicator.
Preferably, the device includes a filter (or straining) apparatus that can be inserted within the reservoir prior to cooking/frying.
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a method of frying, the method including using the steps:
Preferably, the method includes providing an apparatus according to any one embodiment apparatus for deep frying disclosed herein. More preferably, the apparatus is substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the inventions illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples.
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a user access interface for a apparatus for deep frying, a processor module being adapted to monitoring operation of the device and receiving input from the user interface; the processor module comprising: a control program adapted to perform a method as herein described.
A computer-readable carrier medium carrying a set of instructions that when executed by one or more processor elements cause the one or more processor elements to carry out a method substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples.
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a deep fryer apparatus, the apparatus including:
Preferably, the apparatus includes a load-cell for receiving the fry-basket; the load-cell being movable for lowering the fry-basket into the reservoir and raising the fry-basket from the reservoir.
Preferably, the fry-basket is releasably coupled to the load-cell. More preferably, the load-cell includes a weight sensing element that, upon the load-cell receiving a fry-basket, generates a weight-signal indicative of the weight of the fry-basket; the processor module being coupled to the weight sensing element for receiving the weight-signal.
Preferably, the processor module is coupled to the load-cell for automatically lowering and raising the fry-basket. More preferably, the processor module pre-activates the one or more heating element based on the estimated temperature drop prior to automatically lowering the fry-basket.
Preferably, the apparatus further includes: a location sensing module for determining position of the basket within the reservoir; the processor module being coupled to the location sensing module for receiving location-signal indicative of the basket position within the reservoir.
Preferably, the processor module preheats the cooking medium to a control temperature above a user selected cooking temperature based on the estimated temperature drop. More preferably, upon the location-signal changing state from a raised position, the processor module automatically activates that heating element; the processor continues to monitors temperature of the cooking medium; if the temperature of the cooking medium rises above the control temperature, the processor module deactivates the heating elements. Most preferably, the location sensing module includes a sensor that is engaged due to the basket being at least one of either the raised configuration or the lowered configuration.
Preferably, the apparatus further includes one or more fans for directing air-flow through an air-gap about the reservoir. More preferably, the reservoir is thermally coupled to a heat sink proximal to a floor of the reservoir; one or more fans for directing air-flow across the heat sink. Most preferably, the reservoir is thermally coupled to a heat sink proximal to a floor of the reservoir; one or more fans for directing air-flow across the heat sink to thereby create a cooler zone within the cooking medium.
Preferably, the apparatus further includes a temperature sensor for generating a temperature-signal indicative of cooking medium temperature; the processor module being coupled to the temperature sensor for receiving the temperature-signal; the processor module being adapted to monitor cooking medium temperature for detecting commencement of a cooking operation by identifying a drop of the cooking medium temperature.
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a deep fryer apparatus, the apparatus including:
Preferably, the reservoir is thermally coupled to a heat sink proximal to a floor of the reservoir; one or more fans for directing air-flow across the heat sink. More preferably, the reservoir is thermally coupled to a heat sink proximal to a floor of the reservoir; one or more fans for directing air-flow across the heat sink to thereby create a cooler zone within the cooking medium.
Preferably, the apparatus further includes a load-cell for receiving a fry-basket. More preferably, the load-cell can generate a load-signal indicative of the fry-basket being received, and the load-signal is received by a processor module. Most preferably, the load-cell can be automatically raised and lowered under control of a processor module.
Preferably, the apparatus further includes: a location sensing module for determining position of the basket within the reservoir; the processor module being coupled to the location sensing module for receiving location-signal indicative of the basket position within the reservoir. More preferably, the location-signal is indicative of the basket being in a raised configuration or a lowered configuration. Most preferably, the processor module preheats the cooking medium to a control temperature above a user selected cooking temperature based on the estimated temperature drop, and upon the location-signal changing state from a raised position, the processor module automatically activates that heating element; the processor continues to monitors temperature of the cooking medium; if the temperature of the cooking medium rises above the control temperature, the processor module deactivates the heating elements.
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a deep fryer apparatus, the apparatus including:
Preferably, the apparatus further includes a location sensing module for determining if the basket is in a raised configuration or a lowered configuration; the location sensing module communicating the configuration of basket to the processor module.
Preferably the apparatus further includes a temperature sensing module for providing a temperature-signal indicative of the temperature of cooking medium in the reservoir; the processor module being coupled to a temperature sensing module for receiving the temperature-signal.
Preferably, the apparatus further includes a user interface coupled to the processor module for monitoring operation of the device and receiving input from the user interface.
Preferably, the apparatus further includes a fan; the processor module being coupled to a fan for controlling air-flow through the air-gap.
Preferably, the load-cell can be automatically raised and lowered under control of the processor module. Alternatively, the fry-basket can preferably be manually raised or lowered into the reservoir; the processor module generating an indicator to the user to raise and/or lower the fry-basket.
Preferably, the apparatus further includes a straining element that can be inserted within the reservoir prior to frying.
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a deep fryer apparatus, the apparatus including:
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a deep fryer apparatus, the apparatus including:
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
In this embodiment, a sensing module can be a temperature sensing module for providing a signal indicative of the temperature of cooking medium in the reservoir, a location sensing module (for example in the form of a read switch and/or a mechanical switch) for providing a signal indicative of the fryer basket location or configuration.
In this embodiment, after a cooking operation the processor module can activate the fan to direct air-flow through the air-gap to assist in cooling the cooking medium (for example a cooking oil). It will be appreciated that the fan is controlled by a micro controller to cool the reservoir and the air surrounding the reservoir to increase the cool down rate of the cooking medium. Typically, air flows travels around 118 the reservoir and out 119 of the underside of the unit. The fan can be engaged when a lower cooking medium temperature is required (during cooking) or when the cooking operation is complete (after cooking).
In this embodiment, the processor module can activate the fan to direct air-flow through the air-gap to assist in cooling the cooking medium (for example a cooking oil). During a cooking operation, or after a cooking operation, the fan can direct or draw air-flow across the bottom of the cooking reservoir. The cooking reservoir can include a heat sink to force cool a portion of the reservoir to define a cool zone. The resultant air can be further directed to an upper portion or vent of the vessel for reducing condensation and/or heating of food above the cooking medium and/or heating of attachments sitting above the cooking medium.
By way of example, the device includes a processor module coupled to a user interface for monitoring operation of the device and receiving input from the user interface. The processor module being coupled to a temperature sensing module for receiving a signal indicative of the temperature of cooking medium in the reservoir. The processor module being further coupled to a fan for directing air-flow through the air-gap.
In an embodiment, by way of example only, a load-cell 120 can include a weight sensing hook 122. When a basket is located on the load-cell and engaged with the weight sensing hook 122, the weight of basket and contents is determined using a load-cell, and a signal indicative of the weight can be sent 124 to the processor module. Once the weight has been determined, the set temperature reached, the processor module can calculate a cooking duration of the frying operation. It will be appreciated that cooking duration of the frying operation is affected by the amount of food being fried, and providing a measure of the food weight can assist with calculating the cooking duration and/or cooking medium temperature of the frying operation. For example, if the cooking duration is set, and weight of food measured, a suitable cooking medium temperature can be calculated. Similarly, if the cooking temperature is set, and weight of food measured, a suitable cooking duration can be calculated.
In an embodiment, by way of example only, a load-cell 120 can include a switch element 126 (by way of example a micro-switch) for determining an “auto-start” or “auto-stop”. When the basket is placed on a weight sensing hook 122, the switch element can be activated to start or stop a timer maintained by the processor module.
In an embodiment, by way of example only, a load-cell 140 can be movable for introducing the fry-basket into the cooking medium and extracting the fry-basket from the cooking medium. During a multiple stage cooking processes the basket can be placed on a hook 142. The basket can be placed on the hook to begin a frying operation. A motor 144 can be operatively associated with a lifting mechanism 146 for introducing the fry-basket into the cooking medium and extracting the fry-basket from the cooking medium. At the appropriate time the processor module can activate the motor to lower the basket via a lifting mechanism. By way of example only, the lifting mechanism could be a worm drive, belt, chain or a rotating aim. A pair of read switches 148, 149 can be included for identifying an upper and lower range of travel of the load-cell (respectively). When the basket reaches the lower read switch 149, the processor module receives a signal indicating that the basket is fully lowered, and can start a timer. The processor module can continue to raise and lower the basket at the appropriate time using the motor and lifting mechanism. The processor module can be aware of the basket configuration by reading the upper and lower read switches.
It will be appreciated that a switch element can to determine position of basket and automatically energise one or more heating element when basket is lowered, This can compensate for a temperature drop in the cooking medium that is typically experienced when food is introduced. If the switching element changes state of, by energising, one or more heating element that results in a temperature of the cooking medium rising, the processor module can de-energise one ore more heating element.
In an embodiment, hooks 122 or 142 can be a weight sensing hook, which can be operatively associated with a switch element for determining that a basket has engaged the hook. Alternatively, the weigh signal generated by the weight sensing hook can indicate that a basket has engaged the hook.
By way of example, the device can include a load-cell for receiving a fry-basket. Wherein, the load-cell can include a weight sensing element that receives the fry-basket containing food and generate a signal indicative of the weight of the fry-basket. The load-cell can further generate a signal indicative of the fry-basket being received. Typically, the signals are received by a processor module. The load-cell can be automatically raised or lowered under control of the processor module. Alternatively, the fry-basket can preferably be manually raised or lowered into the reservoir.
By way of example, the fry-basket can preferably be manually raised or lowered into the reservoir. The processor module can generate an indicator to the user to raise or lower the fry-basket. The indication can be an audible indicator and/or a visual indicator and/or sensory indicator.
It would be appreciated that a switch (for example, a micro-switch) could be used to determine if the basket is placed in the oil, wherein the switch can be suppressed by a handle of the basket (or other part of the basket) when the basket is fully lowered into the oil (the lowered configuration).
In this example embodiment, the device 160 has a cooking medium filter assembly. By way of example, the device includes:
The augur 172 is in fluid communication with the filter basket 174, and is driven by motor 176 and driving mechanism 178 through a coupling element 180. The augur is powered by a motor and driving mechanism inside the control panel. The auger and control panel are not permanently attached, the augur connects to the control panel via the augur coupling. The driving mechanism can include a direct drive, geared engagement, chain, belt or the like. The coupling element typically includes a cooperating male and female coupling component. The coupling element can provide a sealable releasable that is detachable for washing.
It will be appreciated that the auger, when active, can cause circulation of the cooking medium. Circulation of the cooking medium can improve efficient temperature recovery of the cooking medium through accelerated heat transfer from a reservoir wall.
By way of example only, the filter basket 174 is retained by a hook 182, and is removable. The filter basket is positioned below the edge of the vessel to ensure that if the filter becomes blocked—cooking medium overflow does not fall outside the vessel.
By way of example only, it will be appreciated that the active augur that is used to pull used cooking medium (containing foreign particles) from the bottom of the cooking medium vessel to the top of the vessel where the cooking medium will pass through a filter to remove any foreign particles. After the cooking medium has been filtered it will return to the vessel where it can be used for cooking. Arrows on the figure depicts the flow of cooking medium being filtered.
An angled floor 184 of the vessel is used to encourage foreign particles to move towards a sump 186 proximal to the auger so they can be filtered out of the cooking medium. The augur is counter sunk into the bottom of the vessel to define a sump, and reduce edges where the cooking medium can be trapped.
This cooking medium filter assembly can be used in other embodiment devices disclosed herein.
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It will be appreciated that the reservoir can be removable. Advantageously, the reservoir can be removed for cleaning in a dishwasher.
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It will be appreciated that the processor module commences heating of the cooking medium to cooking temperature selected from a data matrix comprising predetermined value relationships between variables including any one of more of the following: cooking temperature, cooking timer, cooking volume, and cooking weight. The processor module can calculate an estimated temperature drop, and/or retrieve a predetermined temperature drop, that may be expected when food is introduced into the cooking medium. This can be based on the weight of food, or user selections presented.
Referring to
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By way of example only, a three phase cooking process is presented as:
In an embodiment, configuration of the 1ST FRY/2ND FRY can be performed during Phase 2 and/or Phase 3.
The method of Phase 2 includes the steps of:
The method of Phase 3 includes the steps of:
Referring to
The method of Phase 2 includes the steps of:
The method of Phase 3 includes the steps of:
Referring to
The method of Phase 2 includes the steps of:
The method of Phase 3 includes the steps of:
It will be appreciated that, the device can weigh the loaded basket, and use this data to calculate the controlled overshoot temperature, cooking temperature and the duration of the cooking process. Alternatively, the device can receive user input indicative of the weight of food to be cooked.
Referring to
It will be appreciated that, to determine or estimate the weight of food in the basket, the deep-fryer apparatus can receive:
Referring to
In this embodiment, the wall thickness of the vessel can be increased (or further material mass provided) 920 about the reservoir 910. This increase in wall thickness is typically about the base and up to predetermined level 922 of the reservoir.
Referring to
In embodiment 1001, a heating element 1011 can be used to heat the cooking medium in the reservoir. The heating element can be located within the cooking medium as shown in
In embodiment 1002, a heating element 1012 can be used to heat the cooking medium in the reservoir. The heating element can be located about the cooking medium as shown in
Referring to
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In this embodiment, the fan is located proximal to the front of the apparatus, for drawing air from outside and directing the air across the heat sink. A control module 1240 is adapted to enable and disable the fan. The vent 1232 is configured to exhaust hot air/fumes out of and away from the apparatus, such that fresher air can enter from the front lower portion of the unit. It will be appreciated that the fan orientation or configuration, and therefore the air flow, can be reversed.
Referring to
The exhaust fan 1310 which draws air in through the inlet vent 1332 along path 1312, 1314 and 1316. Air flow across the base of the unit is drawn across a heat sink 1330. In this example, the air is drawn around the apparatus and out through the exhaust vent 1311 by the fan 1310. In this embodiment, the fan 1310 is located proximal to the rear of the apparatus,
In this embodiment, a control module 1340 is adapted to enable and disable the fan. The vent 1311 is configured to exhaust hot air/fumes out of and away from the apparatus, such that fresher air can enter from the upper portion of the unit. It will be appreciated that the fan orientation or configuration, and therefore the air flow, can be reversed.
It will be appreciated that the illustrated embodiments can provide an improved deep-fryer.
It would be appreciated that, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method or combination of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a computer system or by other means of carrying out the function. Thus, a processor with the necessary instructions for carrying out such a method or element of a method forms a means for carrying out the method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention.
In alternative embodiments, the one or more processors operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., networked to other processor(s), in a networked deployment, the one or more processors may operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in server-client network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer or distributed network environment.
Thus, one embodiment of each of the methods described herein is in the form of a computer-readable carrier medium carrying a set of instructions, e.g., a computer program that are for execution on one or more processors.
Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as “processing”, “computing”, “calculating”, “determining” or the like, can refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities into other data similarly represented as physical quantities.
In a similar manner, the term “processor” may refer to any device or portion of a device that processes electronic data, e.g., from registers and/or memory to transform that electronic data into other electronic data that, e.g., may be stored in registers and/or memory. A “computer” or a “computing machine” or a “computing platform” may include one or more processors.
The methodologies described herein are, in one embodiment, performable by one or more processors that accept computer-readable (also called machine-readable) code containing a set of instructions that when executed by one or more of the processors carry out at least one of the methods described herein. Any processor capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken is included.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.
Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term “coupled”, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to direct connections only. The terms “coupled” and “connected”, along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A coupled to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. “Coupled” may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.
As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.
Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.
Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.
In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.
It will be appreciated that an embodiment of the invention can consist essentially of features disclosed herein. Alternatively, an embodiment of the invention can consist of features disclosed herein. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011905105 | Dec 2011 | AU | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU2012/001507 | 12/7/2012 | WO | 00 | 6/6/2014 |
