Immersion resistance type electric fryer with water collector

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electric fryer (1) comprising a container (4) designed to contain a frying bath, and a submerged electric heating device (20) configured to be submerged in the frying bath contained in the container (4), the container (4) having a bottom (11) with an inclined portion (13) which is inclined into a recess (14) forming a water collection area, the inclined portion (13) has a gradient interruption zone (15) extending between the upper bottom portion (16) and the recess (14), and the submerged electric heating device (20) has a heating wire (21) extending above the inclined portion (13). According to the invention, the heating wire (21) extends over the upper bottom portion (16) without reaching the recess (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of so-called oil bath electric fryers, in which the food is fried by immersion in a frying bath, which may be made of oil or melted fat.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to immersion resistance electric fryers. These appliances comprise an electric heating device arranged in a container for directly heating a frying bath contained in the container. Food present in the frying bath loses water. The use of water-rich foods and / or foods that have been washed but not dried can lead to an increase in this phenomenon. This water falls to the bottom of the container in the form of drops. Depending on the configuration of the container, these drops may collect at the bottom of the container, forming a larger volume of water. Since the electric heating device is immersed in the frying bath, the temperature of the frying bath is lower below the electric heating device than above it. However, if the temperature rises and this volume of water suddenly evaporates, this evaporated volume of water will produce a sudden expansion in the frying bath, which can produce a significant splash from the container receiving the frying bath. Background Art

[0003] Document DE19907072 discloses an immersion resistor fryer comprising a container, the bottom of which has an inclined portion which slopes down into a collection zone with a temperature below 100° C. However, the immersion resistor extends above the collection zone. In order to avoid explosion phenomena caused by water from the food, the document proposes implementing a container with an inclined portion around a central collection zone. The disadvantage of the proposed embodiment is that the immersion resistor extends above the collection zone, so a high container height is required to reduce the temperature in this area. Summary of the invention

[0004] One object of the present invention is to propose a submerged resistance fryer that allows to avoid explosion phenomena due to evaporation of the water contained in the container and that remains inexpensive to construct.

[0005] One object of the present invention is to propose a submerged resistance fryer that allows to avoid explosion phenomena due to evaporation of the water contained in the container, while still having a compact construction.

[0006] These objects are achieved by an electric fryer comprising a container designed to contain a frying bath, and an immersion electric heating device configured to be immersed in the frying bath contained in the container, the container having a bottom with an inclined portion that pours into a depression forming a water collection area, the inclined portion having a slope interruption extending between an upper bottom portion and the depression, the immersion electric heating device having a heating wire extending above the inclined portion, since the heating wire extends above the upper bottom portion without reaching the depression. In fact, once the heating wire is too close to the water collection area, the water received in the water collection area will heat up rapidly and the risk of explosion still exists.

[0007] The heating wire can extend above the upper bottom portion without reaching the slope interruption zone. This arrangement allows to further reduce the risk of explosion.

[0008] The upper bottom portion may form most of the surface of the bottom. This arrangement also allows increasing the surface area over which the heating wire extends.

[0009] The upper bottom portion may have a minimum inclination greater than or equal to 5°. Such an arrangement allows facilitating the flow of water coming from the food towards the depression forming the water collection area.

[0010] The upper bottom portion may have an average inclination of less than or equal to 10°. This arrangement allows reducing the height dimension of the container.

[0011] The heating wire can extend in the direction of the recessed portion. This arrangement allows for easy design of the immersion electric heating device.

[0012] The heating wire can be inclined downwards towards the direction of the recessed portion. This arrangement allows evaporation of part of the water to be facilitated, and the remaining water is collected in the recessed portion forming a water collection area.

[0013] The inclination of the heating wire can correspond to the inclination of the upper bottom part. This arrangement allows a constant distance between the heating wire and the upper bottom part to be achieved.

[0014] The container may have a geometric shape that is elongated in one direction. This arrangement allows the design of the electric fryer to be simplified.

[0015] The inclined portion may have an inclination along said direction. Such an arrangement allows the height dimension of the container to be reduced.

[0016] The recessed portion may be arranged at the end of the container opposite to the immersion electric heating device. This arrangement allows the height dimension of the container to be reduced.

[0017] The container may have a rectangular geometry with two short sides and two long sides. This arrangement allows simplifying the design of the electric fryer.

[0018] A slope break can connect two long edges.

[0019] The two short sides can have different heights.

[0020] The inclined portion may extend from the short side having the lowest height.

[0021] The depression may be defined by the short edge having the highest height.

[0022] The recessed portion may extend all the way to the two long sides.

[0023] A basket may be arranged in the container above the electric immersion heating device.

[0024] The basket may have a basket bottom which is inclined in the direction of the recess. This arrangement allows the capacity of the basket to be increased.

[0025] The inclination of the basket bottom can correspond to the inclination of the heating wire. This arrangement allows the capacity of the basket to be optimized. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Through research Figures 1 to 4 The present invention will be better understood by the embodiment shown in the figure, which is by no means limiting, wherein:

[0027] Figure 1 shows a front view and a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an electric fryer according to the present invention,

[0028] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 The bottom perspective view of the electric fryer shown,

[0029] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 A side perspective view of the container and electrical subassembly of the deep fryer shown,

[0030] Figure 4 Shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 A top perspective view of the deep fryer is shown with the lid and basket removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Figures 1 to 4 The illustrated electric fryer 1 comprises a container 4 designed to contain a frying bath, and an immersion electric heating device 20 configured to be immersed in the frying bath contained in the container 4 .

[0032] The immersion electric heating device 20 has a heating wire 21 extending above the bottom 11 of the container 4. The immersion electric heating device 20 is connected to the control box 3. When the immersion electric heating device 20 extends inside the container 4, the control box 3 extends outside the container 4. The immersion electric heating device 20 can be associated with a temperature control device and a thermal safety device not shown in the figure. The temperature control device is, for example, a thermostat. The thermal safety device is, for example, a thermal fuse or a resettable thermal limiter.

[0033] The electric fryer 1 may include a housing 2 for housing a container 4. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 2 , the housing 2 forms a skirt having four sides. The housing 2 includes housing feet, which are Figure 2 It can be seen more clearly in .

[0034] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the container 4 is removably mounted in the housing 2. In a typical embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the container 4 has an outer edge configured to rest on an upper edge of the outer shell 2. Alternatively, the container 4 may in particular be fastened to the outer shell 2, or the electric fryer 1 may in particular be without an outer shell 2.

[0035] The electric fryer 1 may include a lid 5 designed to cover the container 4. If desired, the lid 5 may be configured to be used in the use configuration. Alternatively, the lid 5 may be configured to be used only in the storage configuration.

[0036] The electric fryer 1 may include a basket 6 configured to receive food submerged in a frying bath contained in the container 4. Figure 1 As shown, the basket 6 is arranged in the container 4 above the electric immersion heating device 20 .

[0037] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the container 4 has a plurality of side walls 12. A lower connecting wall 17 may connect the bottom 11 to each side wall 12. A side connecting wall 18 may connect two adjacent side walls 12. A corner connecting wall 19 may connect two lower connecting walls 17 to adjacent side connecting walls 18.

[0038] More specifically, in the embodiment shown in the figures, the container 4 has a rectangular geometric shape with two short sides 10a, 10b and two long sides 10c, 10d.

[0039] from Figure 1 As can be seen more clearly in the figure, the bottom 11 of the container 4 has an inclined portion 13, which slopes down into a depression 14 forming a water collection area. The inclined portion 13 relates to the bottom 11 of the container 4, but not to the lower connecting wall 17 between the bottom 11 and the side wall 12 of the container 4.

[0040] More specifically, the inclined portion 13 has a slope discontinuity 15 extending between the upper bottom portion 16 and the recess 14. In other words, the slope discontinuity 15 forms a step between the upper bottom portion 16 and the recess 14.

[0041] The inclination of the upper bottom portion does not have to be uniform.

[0042] Preferably, the upper bottom portion 16 has a minimum inclination greater than or equal to 5° to promote the flow of water towards the recess 14 .

[0043] Preferably, the upper bottom portion 16 has an average inclination less than or equal to 10°, which allows limiting the height dimension of the container 4 .

[0044] The average inclination of the slope interruption 15 is greater than the average inclination of the upper bottom portion 16. The slope interruption 15 may have a maximum slope greater than 45°, preferably greater than 60°.

[0045] The heating wire 21 of the immersion electric heating device 20 extends over the inclined portion 13, more specifically over the upper bottom portion 16. Figure 1 and Figure 4 It can be clearly seen in FIG. 1 that the heating wire 21 does not reach the recessed portion 14. In other words, the heating wire 21 does not extend above the recessed portion 14.

[0046] Preferably, the heating wire 21 does not reach the slope discontinuity region 15. In other words, the heating wire 21 does not extend over the slope discontinuity region 15.

[0047] In the example shown in the drawings, the heating wire 21 extends in the direction of the recessed portion 14. In other words, the heating wire 21 extends along the slope direction of the upper bottom portion 16.

[0048] More specifically, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the heating wire 21 is inclined downwardly in the direction of the recessed portion 14. The inclination of the heating wire 21 corresponds to the inclination of the upper bottom portion 16.

[0049] In the example shown in the drawings, the container 4 has a geometric shape that is elongated in one direction. The inclined portion 13 has an inclination in said direction.

[0050] from Figure 4As can be clearly seen in the figure, the upper bottom part 16 forms most of the surface of the bottom 11. The slope interruption 15 connects the two long sides 10c, 10d. The recess 14 is arranged at the end of the container 4 opposite to the immersion electric heating device 20. Due to the presence of the recess 14, the two short sides 10a, 10b have different heights. The inclined part 13 extends from the short side 10a with a lower height. The recess 14 is bounded by the short side 10b with a higher height. The recess 14 extends all the way to the two long sides 10c, 10d.

[0051] Figures 1 to 4 The electric fryer 1 shown is used as follows.

[0052] The user places the container 4 in the housing 2, places the immersion electric heating device 20 in the container 4, adds a frying bath to the container 4, and starts the electric fryer 1 to heat the immersion electric heating device 20. When the temperature of the frying bath reaches a satisfactory temperature value, the user can immerse the food in the frying bath, preferably by placing the food in the basket 6. The water contained in the food gradually evaporates under the effect of the temperature of the frying tank. However, if the water falls to the bottom of the container 4, it will be received by the bottom 11 of the container 4, in particular by the inclined portion 13 or the recessed portion 14. The inclined portion 13 will guide the received water to the recessed portion 14 unless the water is evaporated by the heating wire 21. The upper bottom portion 16 that is inclined to the slope interruption area 15 allows water to drain from the area covered by the heating wire. The slope interruption area 15 helps the water to drain quickly to the recessed portion 14. The recessed portion 14 allows water and cooking residues to be collected. The depth of the depression 14 is configured so that the temperature of the lower part of the frying bath remains well below the evaporation temperature of water during operation of the electric fryer 1 to avoid evaporation of large amounts of water which could cause an explosion.

[0053] Alternatively, the container 4 does not necessarily have to include a plurality of side walls 12. The container 4 can in particular have a circular geometry or an oval geometry.

[0054] Alternatively, the basket 6 does not necessarily have a bottom parallel to the support plane of the fryer 1. The basket 6 may in particular have a basket bottom inclined in the direction of the recess 14. According to a preferred embodiment, the inclination of the basket bottom may correspond to the inclination of the heating wire 21.

[0055] Various modifications and / or improvements that are obvious to those skilled in the art may be made to the embodiments of the invention described in this specification without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An electric fryer (1), comprising a container (4) designed to accommodate a frying bath, and an immersion electric heating device (20) configured to be immersed in the frying bath accommodated in the container (4), the container (4) having a bottom (11), the bottom having an inclined portion (13) tilted toward a depression (14) forming a water collection area, the inclined portion (13) having a slope interruption (15) extending between the upper bottom portion (16) and the depression (14), the immersion electric heating device (20) having a heating wire (21) extending above the inclined portion (13), characterized in that The heating wire (21) extends above the upper bottom portion (16) without reaching the recessed portion (14).

2. The electric fryer (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating wire (21) extends above the upper bottom portion (16) without reaching the slope interruption area (15).

3. The electric fryer (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that: The upper bottom portion (16) forms a majority of the surface of the bottom (11).

4. The electric fryer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The upper bottom portion (16) has a minimum inclination greater than or equal to 5°.

5. The electric fryer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The upper bottom portion (16) has an average inclination less than or equal to 10°.

6. The electric fryer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The heating wire (21) extends in the direction of the recessed portion (14).

7. The electric fryer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The heating wire (21) is inclined downward in the direction of the recessed portion (14).

8. The electric fryer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The inclination of the heating wire (21) corresponds to the inclination of the upper bottom portion (16).

9. The electric fryer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The container (4) has a geometric shape that is elongated in one direction.

10. The electric fryer (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that: The inclined portion (13) has an inclination along the direction.

11. The electric fryer (1) according to any one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that: The recessed portion (14) is arranged at the end of the container (4) opposite to the immersion electric heating device (20).

12. The electric fryer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The container (4) has a rectangular geometric shape with two short sides (10a, 10b) and two long sides (10c, 10d).

13. The electric fryer (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that: The slope interruption area (15) connects the two long sides (10c, 10d).

14. The electric fryer (1) according to any one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that: The two short sides (10a, 10b) have different heights.

15. The electric fryer (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that: The inclined portion (13) extends from the shorter side (10a) having a lower height.

16. The electric fryer (1) according to any one of claims 14 or 15, characterized in that: The recessed portion (14) is defined by a shorter side (10b) with a higher height.

17. The electric fryer (1) according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that: The recessed portion (14) extends all the way to the two long sides (10c, 10d).

18. The electric fryer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that: A basket (6) is arranged in the container (4) above the electric immersion heating device (20).

19. The electric fryer (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that: The basket (6) has a basket bottom which is inclined in the direction of the recessed portion (14).

20. The electric fryer (1) according to claim 19, characterized in that The inclination of the basket bottom corresponds to the inclination of the heating wire (21).

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