초록 ▼

An improved self-contained frying machine is disclosed and claimed with significantly enhanced reliability, repeatability and maintenance. The extruder and dibber assemblies are not attached to any surface plates, thus permitting easy removal for cleaning. More significantly, the extruder assemblies

An improved self-contained frying machine is disclosed and claimed with significantly enhanced reliability, repeatability and maintenance. The extruder and dibber assemblies are not attached to any surface plates, thus permitting easy removal for cleaning. More significantly, the extruder assemblies are not connected to an upper shelf, thereby alleviating misalignment concerns. Efficient motor-driven rack and gear components are disclosed for the extruder assembly, dibber assembly, slide assembly and the carousel assembly. The electrical system comprises a programmable logic controller (PLC) that is preferably mounted in a housing that is external to the machine, preferably resting on the top of the frying machine. The mounting of the PLC and other electrical components in an external box diminishes the interference from background noise introduced by the various motors. Various sensors positioned on the different assemblies provide real-time information to the PLC. Based upon the information from the sensors, the PLC commands the various devices to perform their predetermined functions.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A fry machine comprising:a hopper for dispensing a dehydrated food product into a mixing chamber;an extrusion chamber having an upper end, lower end, and an opening leading therein communicating with said hopper, the extrusion chamber comprising a wall surrounding a channel;an extru

[ I claim:] [1.] A fry machine comprising:a hopper for dispensing a dehydrated food product into a mixing chamber;an extrusion chamber having an upper end, lower end, and an opening leading therein communicating with said hopper, the extrusion chamber comprising a wall surrounding a channel;an extruder shaft positioned above the extrusion chamber communicating with the upper end thereof and vertically movably mounted in the channel of the extrusion chamber, the shaft having an upper end and a lower end with a compression portion at the lower end thereof, the shaft operably incontact with a gear for moving the rod from a first position wherein the compression portion is disposed away from the lower end of the extrusion chamber to a second position wherein the compression portion is disposed adjacent the lower end of the extrusion chamber; and a die plate closing off the lower end of the extrusion chamber;the die plate having a plurality of predetermined spaced openings extending therethrough;a reciprocally mounted slide below said die plate and including reciprocating means for reciprocating the slide from a first position normally closing off the spaced openings through the die plate to a second position disposed away from the spaced openings thereby allowing passage of food product therethrough;a water inlet for communicating fluid into the interior of the extrusion chamber; anda fry pot mounted below the slide having at least one basket mounted therein.