초록 ▼

An automatic frying apparatus (100) for both deep and shallow frying. Frying apparatus (100) comprises a container (102) having an inner cylindrical wall (102b) installed on the central bottom thereof, so as to emanate from the bottom to substantially the upper portion of container (102) for holding

An automatic frying apparatus (100) for both deep and shallow frying. Frying apparatus (100) comprises a container (102) having an inner cylindrical wall (102b) installed on the central bottom thereof, so as to emanate from the bottom to substantially the upper portion of container (102) for holding foods and oil, a lid (104) covering on top of container (102), a plurality of stirring blades (108) rotatably and removably installed inside container (102) for stirring foods, a power-drive assembly (110) operationally coupled with blades (108) for driving blades (108) through repeating stirring cycles, a coupling device (106) for coupling in between assembly (110) and blades (108), a venting device (200) for filtering and deodorizing cooking fumes, and a blowing device (202) for forcing fresh air into frying apparatus (100) for moisture removal from thereinside. Blades (108) sweep across food pieces intermittently, such that blades (108) dwell for a predetermined dwell period starting near the end of each stirring cycle. This intermittent operation favors better agitation of food pieces and affords relief from constant stirring of food pieces at a higher speed. Food pieces are partially immersed in the boiling oil, and therefore, less oil is required for frying foods, thereby, causing less energy consumption, less fat absorption by the food, less time for cooking, and less used oil for disposal. The frying process is fully automatic and requires minimal human involvement and chore.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A frying apparatus, said frying apparatus comprising:a container having an open top for holding foods and oil; a lid covering on top of said container for closing up said open top of said container; heating means for heating said foods and oil disposed inside said container; stirring means instal

1. A frying apparatus, said frying apparatus comprising:a container having an open top for holding foods and oil; a lid covering on top of said container for closing up said open top of said container; heating means for heating said foods and oil disposed inside said container; stirring means installed inside said container for stirring foods; a power-drive assembly operationally coupled with said stirring means for driving said stirring means through repeating stirring cycles; a blowing device for forcing fresh air into said frying apparatus during frying processes, thereby, facilitating moisture removal from inside said frying apparatus; and a venting device for exhausting cooking fumes. 2. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said venting device includes filter means for cooking fume treatment.3. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said blowing device includes a one-way valve for preventing cooking fumes from escaping therethrough.4. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 1, said frying apparatus further including control means for automatically de-energizing said power-drive assembly near the end of each stirring cycle for a predetermined dwell period.5. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 1, said frying apparatus further including control means, said control means dividing the blowing operation of said blowing device into repeating blowing cycles of predetermined length and automatically de-energizing said blowing device near the end of each blowing cycle for a predetermined dwell period.6. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 1, said frying apparatus further including a housing, wherein said container is removably disposed inside said housing, and whereby it is easier to load and unload foods and to clean said container after use.7. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said venting device is installed on said lid, and wherein said venting device includes a fabric or paper filter for capturing the grease content in cooking fumes.8. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said filter means includes a mesh filter for capturing the grease content in cooking fumes, and wherein said mesh filter is washable and reusable.9. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said filter means includes a fabric or paper filter for capturing the grease content in cooking fumes.10. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said filter means includes a fabric or paper filter for capturing the grease content in cooking fumes.11. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said filter means includes a activated carbon filter for capturing the grease content and removing cooking odors in cooking fumes.12. A frying apparatus, said frying apparatus comprising:a container having an open top and an upstanding inner cylindrical wall for holding foods and oil; a lid covering on top of said container for closing up said open top of said container; heating means for heating said foods and oil disposed inside said container; stirring means installed inside said container for stirring foods; a power-drive assembly disposed below said container and operationally coupled with said stirring means for driving said stirring means through repeating stirring cycles; and a coupling device having an inner cylindrical wall and an outer cylindrical wall, engaged with each other on the upper portion thereof, wherein said outer cylindrical wall of said coupling device is routed over said upstanding inner cylindrical wall of said container and the lower portion of said outer cylindrical wall of said coupling device is engaged with said stirring means, and wherein said inner cylindrical wall of said coupling device includes a coupling element on the lower portion thereof for lockably receiving a drive shaft from said power-drive assembly. 13. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said container includes co-rotation preventing means installed inside said container on the sidewall thereof for preventing food pieces from co-rotating with said stirring means, as said stirring means rotates.14. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said container includes supporting means installed on the inside bottom thereof for supporting said stirring means, thereby avoiding excessive scraping of said stirring means on the bottom of said container, reducing the friction therebetween, and prolonging the life of said stirring means.15. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said drive shaft includes supporting means installed on the upper portion thereof for operationally supporting said drive shaft against said upstanding inner cylindrical wall of said container.16. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 12, said frying apparatus further including control means for automatically de-energizing said power-drive assembly near the end of each stirring cycle for a predetermined dwell period.17. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 12, said frying apparatus further including a basket having an open top and a central aperture on the bottom thereof removably receiving said upstanding inner cylindrical wall of said container for use to deep-fry foods.18. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said upstanding inner cylindrical wall of said container extends upwards to a predetermined height above the bottom of said container, and said frying apparatus further including a sealing assembly for sealing between said drive shaft from said power-drive assembly and the upper portion of said upstanding inner cylindrical wall of said container.19. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said sealing assembly includes a compression-packing adapted to be squeezed against said drive shaft from said power-drive assembly and the upper portion of said upstanding inner cylindrical wall of said container for generating a sealing thereof.20. A frying apparatus, said frying apparatus comprising:a container having an open top and a central aperture on the bottom thereof for holding foods and oil; a lid covering on top of said container for closing up said open top of said container; heating means for heating said foods and oil disposed inside said container; stirring means installed inside said container for stirring foods; a power-drive assembly disposed below said container and operationally coupled with said stirring means for driving said stirring means through repeating stirring cycles, said power-drive assembly including a drive shaft threading through said central aperture of said container; a sealing assembly installed on the bottom of said container for sealing between the bottom of said container and said drive shaft; wherein said sealing assembly includes a compression-packing adapted to be squeezed against said drive shaft from said power-drive assembly and said central aperture on the bottom of said container for generating a sealing thereof; and a coupling device engaged with said stirring means and adapted for lockably receiving said drive shaft from said power-drive assembly. 21. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said container includes co-rotation preventing means installed inside said container on the sidewall thereof for preventing food pieces from co-rotating with said stirring means, as said stirring means rotates.22. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said container includes supporting means installed on the inside bottom thereof for supporting said stirring means, thereby, avoiding excessive scraping of said stirring means on the bottom of said container, reducing the friction therebetween, and prolonging the life of said stirring means.23. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 20, said frying apparatus further including control means for automatically de-energizing said power-drive assembly near the end of each stirring cycle for a predetermined dwell period, and wherein said control means controls said power-drive assembly to drive said stirring means to perform an intermittent stirring operation across foods.24. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 20, said frying apparatus further including a basket having an open top and a central aperture on the bottom thereof removably receiving said drive shaft for use to deep-fry foods.25. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said sealing assembly is installed on the bottom of said container and disposed underneath the bottom of said container.26. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said sealing assembly is installed on the bottom of said container and disposed inside said container, wherein said compression-packing is disposed at a predetermined height above the bottom of said container, whereby for most applications of said frying apparatus said compression-packing is disposed above boiling oil or hot liquids, and whereby the requirement on said sealing assembly is significantly reduced.27. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 20, said frying apparatus further including control means for controlling various functions of said frying apparatus, whereby frying processes can be accomplished in a programmed automatic manner for minimizing human involvement and chore in preparing foods.28. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 20, said frying apparatus further including a venting device for exhausting cooking fumes.29. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 28, wherein said venting device includes a mesh filter for capturing the grease content in cooking fumes, and wherein said mesh filter is washable and reusable.30. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 28, wherein said venting device includes a fabric or paper filter for capturing the grease content in cooking fumes.31. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 28, wherein said venting device includes an activated carbon filter for capturing the grease content and removing cooking odors in cooking fumes.32. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 20, said frying apparatus further including a blowing device for forcing fresh air into said frying apparatus during frying processes, thereby, facilitating moisture removal from inside said frying apparatus.33. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 20, said frying apparatus further including a housing, wherein said container is removably disposed inside said housing, and whereby it is easier to load and unload foods and to clean said container after use.34. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 33, wherein said drive shaft includes a coupling mechanism disposed on the lower portion thereof for lockbly receiving a shaft from said power-drive assembly.35. A frying apparatus, said frying apparatus comprising:a container having an open top, a closed bottom, and an upstanding central shaft installed on the central bottom thereof for holding foods and oil; a lid covering on top of said container for closing up said open top of said container; heating means for heating said foods and oil disposed inside said container; stirring means installed inside said container for stirring foods; a power-drive assembly disposed above said container and operationally coupled with said stirring means for driving said stirring means through repeating stirring cycles; and a coupling device having a hollow cylindrical lower portion for removably receiving said upstanding central shaft, wherein said hollow cylindrical lower portion of said coupling device is engaged with said stirring means, and wherein said coupling device includes a coupling element on the upper portion thereof for operationally transferring rotation power from said power-drive assembly to stirring means. 36. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 35, wherein said container includes co-rotation preventing means installed inside said container on the sidewall thereof for preventing food pieces from co-rotating with said stirring means, as said stirring means rotates.37. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 35, wherein said container includes supporting means installed on the inside bottom thereof for supporting said stirring means, thereby, avoiding excessive scraping of said stirring means on the bottom of said container, reducing the friction therebetween, and prolonging the life of said stirring means.38. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 35, said frying apparatus further including control means for automatically de-energizing said power-drive assembly near the end of each stirring cycle for a predetermined dwell period.39. A frying apparatus as defined in claim 35, said frying apparatus further including a basket having an open top and a central aperture on the bottom thereof removably receiving said upstanding central shaft for use to deep-fry foods.