Oil refilling equipment and fryers

Abstract

To provide an oil replenishing device for use in a fryer equipped with an oil tank for storing oil for deep-frying, capable of replenishing oil with a relatively simple structure to a tank in which oil to be supplied to the oil tank is stored and which is installed so that the height of the oil level is equal to that of the oil tank. [Solution] The oil supply device 10 is provided with a tank 4 formed in a box shape with an open top and storing oil to be supplied to an oil tank 2, and a supply bottle 8 into which the oil to be supplied to the tank 4 is put, the tank 4 is connected to the oil tank 2 and is installed so that the height of the oil level L1 in the oil tank 2 is equal to the height of the oil level L3 in the tank 4. The supply bottle 8 is attached to the inside of the tank 4 with a spout 8a formed on one end of the supply bottle 8 facing downward and entering the oil in the tank 4.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an oil supply device used in a fryer for deep-frying food by placing ingredients in oil, and also to a fryer equipped with such an oil supply device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, fryers (deep-frying devices) for making fried foods using heated oil are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The fryer described in Patent Document 1 includes a frying pan that holds oil for deep-frying, a tank in which the oil is stored, a connecting pipe that connects the frying pan and the tank, and an oil level sensor that detects the oil level in the tank. Oil can be supplied to the tank through an oil supply pipe. In the fryer described in Patent Document 1, the oil level in the frying pan and the oil level in the tank are the same, so that when the oil in the frying pan decreases, the oil stored in the tank is automatically and successively replenished to the frying pan through the connecting pipe. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 1-72714 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the fryer described in Patent Document 1, when the amount of oil in the frying pan and the tank decreases, it is necessary to replenish the tank with oil via an oil supply pipe. The fryer described in Patent Document 1 is equipped with an oil level sensor, and therefore, when the amount of oil in the frying pan and the tank decreases, it is possible to automatically replenish the tank with oil based on the detection result of the oil level sensor. However, in this case, in order to replenish the oil in the tank, a configuration such as an oil level sensor and a pump for automatically supplying oil to the tank is required, and the configuration for replenishing the oil in the tank becomes complicated.

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an oil supply device for use in a fryer equipped with an oil tank for storing oil for deep-frying, which is capable of supplying oil to a tank that stores the oil to be supplied to the oil tank and is installed so that the oil level is equal to that of the oil tank, with a relatively simple configuration. Another object of the present invention is to provide a fryer equipped with such an oil supply device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the oil supply device of the present invention is an oil supply device used in a fryer equipped with an oil tank for holding oil for deep-frying foods, and comprises a tank formed in a box shape with an open top for storing oil to be supplied to the oil tank, and a supply bottle for holding the oil to be supplied to the tank, the tank is connected to the oil tank and is installed so that the height of the oil level in the oil tank is equal to the height of the oil level in the tank, and the supply bottle is attached to the inside of the tank with a spout formed on one end of the supply bottle facing downwards and entering the oil in the tank.

[0007] The oil supply device of the present invention is equipped with a supply bottle that holds oil to be supplied to the tank, and the supply bottle is attached to the inside of the tank with the spout facing downward and the spout entering the oil in the tank. Therefore, in this invention, when the amount of oil in the tank decreases and the oil level in the tank drops below the spout, air enters the supply bottle through the spout, and oil is automatically supplied from the supply bottle to the tank. Therefore, in this invention, it is possible to automatically supply oil to the tank with a relatively simple configuration of attaching the supply bottle to the inside of the tank.

[0008] In addition, in this invention, since the supply bottle is attached to the inside of the box-shaped tank with an open top, it is possible to easily check the amount of oil in the supply bottle visually, compared to, for example, looking into the tank from above to visually check the amount of oil in the tank. Also, by visually checking the amount of oil in the supply bottle, it is possible to know when to replace the supply bottle, so it is easy to know when to replace the supply bottle. Therefore, this invention makes it easier to prevent work errors such as forgetting to replace the supply bottle when it is empty.

[0009] In the present invention, the supply bottle is preferably a PET bottle. With this configuration, for example, a commercially available PET bottle filled with oil can be attached to the tank as is.

[0010] In the present invention, the oil supply device includes a second tank connected to the tank and storing the oil to be supplied to the oil tank, and the oil level in the second tank is equal to the oil level in the tank. The second tank is connected to the oil tank and is disposed between the tank in the oil supply path from the tank to the oil tank, and is preferably disposed so that the oil level in the oil tank is equal to the oil level in the second tank. With this configuration, the second tank connected to the oil tank and the tank can be disposed between the tank and the tank, so that the temperature of the oil in the tank can be kept low even if the oil in the tank is hot. Therefore, even if the supply bottle whose spout goes into the oil in the tank is a plastic bottle, it is possible to prevent the supply bottle from deforming due to the temperature of the oil in the tank.

[0011] In the present invention, the oil supply device preferably includes a plurality of supply bottles, so that when all the supply bottles are empty, all the supply bottles can be replaced together, thereby reducing the frequency of replacing the supply bottles when they are empty.

[0012] In the present invention, for example, the height of the spout of at least one of the multiple supply bottles is different from the height of the spouts of the other supply bottles except for this one supply bottle. In this case, for example, the heights of the spouts of the multiple supply bottles are different from each other. In this case, it is possible to supply oil from the multiple supply bottles to the tank in sequence.

[0013] The oil supply device of the present invention can be used in a fryer equipped with an oil tank. In this fryer, the oil level in the oil tank is the same as the oil level in the tank. In this fryer, it is possible to automatically supply oil to the tank with a relatively simple configuration, such as attaching a supply bottle to the inside of the tank. Effect of the Invention

[0014] As described above, in the oil supply device of the present invention used in a fryer equipped with an oil tank for holding oil for deep-frying, it is possible to supply oil to a tank in which the oil to be supplied to the oil tank is stored and the height of the oil level is set to be equal to the height of the oil level in the oil tank, with a relatively simple configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of an oil supply device and a fryer according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of an oil supply device according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] (Oil supply device and fryer configuration) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of an oil supply device 10 and a fryer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] The oil replenishing device 10 of this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "oil replenishing device 10") is used in a fryer 1 equipped with an oil tank 2 that holds oil for deep-frying. That is, the fryer 1 is equipped with the oil tank 2 and the oil replenishing device 10. The fryer 1 is a device for putting ingredients into oil to make fried foods, and is a commercial fryer that is installed and used in stores and the like. The oil replenishing device 10 is traded on the market, for example, as part of a newly installed fryer 1. Also, the oil replenishing device 10 can be additionally installed on an existing fryer 1 that has the oil tank 2, and can also be traded on the market alone (i.e., the replenishing device 10 alone).

[0019] In the oil vat 2, deep-fried foods are made using high-temperature oil. The oil vat 2 is formed in a box shape with an open top. For example, the oil vat 2 is formed in a rectangular box shape. The oil supplying device 10 includes tanks 3 and 4 in which oil to be supplied to the oil vat 2 is stored. The oil supplying device 10 of this embodiment includes two tanks 3 and 4. The tanks 3 and 4 are formed in a box shape with an open top. For example, the tanks 3 and 4 are formed in a rectangular box shape.

[0020] The oil tank 2 and the tank 3 are connected by a pipe 5, and the inside of the oil tank 2 and the inside of the tank 3 are connected via the pipe 5. That is, the tank 3 is installed so as to be connected to the oil tank 2. One end of the pipe 5 is fixed to the bottom of the oil tank 2. The other end of the pipe 5 is fixed to the lower end of the side of the tank 3. The tank 3 and the tank 4 are connected by a pipe 6, and the inside of the tank 3 and the inside of the tank 4 are connected via the pipe 6. One end of the pipe 6 is fixed to the lower end of the side of the tank 3. The other end of the pipe 6 is fixed to the lower end of the side of the tank 4. The tank 4 is connected to the oil tank 2 via the pipes 5, 6 and the tank 3. That is, the tank 4 is installed so as to be connected to the oil tank 2.

[0021] The height of the oil level L1 in the oil tank 2, the height of the oil level L2 in the tank 3, and the height of the oil level L3 in the tank 4 are equal. That is, the oil tank 2 and the tanks 3 and 4 are installed so that the height of the oil level L1 in the oil tank 2, the height of the oil level L2 in the tank 3, and the height of the oil level L3 in the tank 4 are equal. Oil can be supplied from the tank 3 through the pipe 5 to the oil tank 2. Oil can be supplied from the tank 4 through the pipe 6 to the tank 3. That is, oil can be supplied from the tank 4 to the oil tank 2 through the pipes 5 and 6 and the tank 3. When the amount of oil in the oil tank 2 decreases, oil is automatically supplied from the tanks 3 and 4 to the oil tank 2. The tank 3 in this embodiment is a second tank connected to the tank 4, and is disposed between the oil tank 2 and the tank 4 in the oil supply path from the tank 4 to the oil tank 2.

[0022] The oil supply device 10 also includes a supply bottle 8 that holds oil to be supplied to the tank 4, and a mounting member 9 for mounting the supply bottle 8 inside the tank 4. The oil supply device 10 of this embodiment includes, for example, one supply bottle 8. The mounting member 9 is fixed, for example, to the upper end of the inner surface of the tank 4. The supply bottle 8 is formed of a transparent or semi-transparent material, and the amount of oil in the supply bottle 8 can be visually observed from the outside of the supply bottle 8. The supply bottle 8 of this embodiment is a plastic bottle. One end of the supply bottle 8 is formed with a spout 8a that serves as an outlet for the oil. In the supply bottle 8, oil can flow out only from the spout 8a.

[0023] The supply bottle 8 is detachably attached to the attachment member 9. As shown in FIG. 1(A), the supply bottle 8 is attached to the inside of the tank 4 via the attachment member 9 with the spout 8a facing downward and entering the oil in the tank 4 (i.e., the spout 8a is immersed in the oil in the tank 4). The other end of the supply bottle 8 (the end on the side where the spout 8a is not formed, i.e., the bottom of the plastic bottle) is disposed, for example, above the upper end of the tank 4. In this embodiment, when the amount of oil in the tank 4 decreases and the oil level L3 of the tank 4 falls below the spout 8a, air enters the supply bottle 8 from the spout 8a, and oil is automatically supplied from the supply bottle 8 to the tank 4 (see FIG. 1(B)).

[0024] (Main effects of this form) As described above, in this embodiment, the supply bottle 8, which holds the oil to be supplied to the tank 4, is attached to the inside of the tank 4 with the spout 8a facing downward and entering the oil in the tank 4. Therefore, in this embodiment, as described above, when the amount of oil in the tank 4 decreases and the oil level L3 in the tank 4 falls below the spout 8a, air enters the supply bottle 8 from the spout 8a, and oil is automatically supplied from the supply bottle 8 to the tank 4. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to automatically supply oil to the tank 4 with a relatively simple configuration in which the supply bottle 8 is attached to the inside of the tank 4.

[0025] In this embodiment, the supply bottle 8 is attached to the inside of the box-shaped tank 4 with an open top. In addition, in this embodiment, the other end of the supply bottle 8 is disposed, for example, above the upper end of the tank 4. Therefore, in this embodiment, the amount of oil in the supply bottle 8 can be easily visually confirmed, compared to, for example, a case where the amount of oil in the tank 4 is visually confirmed by looking into the tank 4 from above. In addition, in this embodiment, the timing of replacing the supply bottle 8 can be grasped by visually confirming the amount of oil in the supply bottle 8, so that the timing of replacing the supply bottle 8 can be easily grasped. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is easy to prevent an operation error such as forgetting to replace the supply bottle 8 when the supply bottle 8 becomes empty.

[0026] In this embodiment, the supply bottle 8 is a plastic bottle. Therefore, in this embodiment, for example, a commercially available plastic bottle containing oil can be attached to the tank 4 as it is and used. Also, in this embodiment, the tank 3 is disposed between the oil tank 2 and the tank 4 in the oil supply path from the tank 4 to the oil tank 2, so that even if the oil in the oil tank 2 is hot, the temperature of the oil in the tank 4 can be kept low. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the supply bottle 8, whose spout 8a is immersed in the oil in the tank 4, is a plastic bottle, deformation of the supply bottle 8 caused by the temperature of the oil in the tank 4 can be prevented.

[0027] (Other embodiments) In the above-described embodiment, the oil supplying device 10 may include a plurality of supply bottles 8. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the oil supplying device 10 may include three supply bottles 8 attached to the inside of one tank 4. In this case, when all the supply bottles 8 become empty, all the supply bottles 8 can be replaced together, so that it is possible to reduce the frequency of replacing the supply bottles 8 when they become empty. When the oil supplying device 10 includes a plurality of supply bottles 8, for example, the heights of the spouts 8a of the plurality of supply bottles 8 are the same. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the heights of the spouts 8a of the plurality of supply bottles 8 may be different from each other. In this case, it is possible to supply oil in the plurality of supply bottles 8 to the tank 4 in sequence.

[0028] For example, the heights of the spouts 8a of two of the three supply bottles 8 may be equal, and the height of the spout 8a of the remaining supply bottle 8 may be lower than the heights of the spouts 8a of the two supply bottles 8. In other words, for example, the height of the spout 8a of at least one supply bottle 8 among the multiple supply bottles 8 may be different from the height of the spouts 8a of the other supply bottles 8 excluding this one supply bottle 8.

[0029] In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of tanks 3 may be arranged in series in the oil supply path from the tank 4 to the oil tank 2. That is, the oil supplying device 10 may include a plurality of tanks 3 arranged in series. In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a plurality of tanks 3, 4 may be connected in parallel to the oil tank 2. That is, the oil supplying device 10 may include a plurality of tanks 3, 4 connected in parallel to the oil tank 2. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the oil supplying device 10 may include a plurality of tanks 4 to which a supply bottle 8 is attached inside. In this case, the plurality of tanks 4 may be connected in series to the tank 3, or may be connected in parallel to the tank 3.

[0030] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the upper surface of the tank 3 does not have to be open. Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the supply bottle 8 does not have to be a plastic bottle. In this case, if the supply bottle 8 is heat resistant, the oil supplying device 10 does not have to include the tank 3. That is, the tank 4 may be connected to the oil tank 2 via the piping 5. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the other end of the supply bottle 8 may be disposed below the upper end of the tank 4. Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, one end of the piping 5 may be fixed to the lower end of the side surface of the oil tank 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 1 Flyer 2 Oil tank 3 Tank (2nd Tank) 4. Tank 8 Supply Bottle 8a Spout 10 Oil supply device (oil supply device) L1 Oil level in oil tank L2 Second tank oil level L3 tank oil level

Claims

1. In an oil supply device used in a fryer having an oil tank for storing oil for deep frying, The oil tank includes a tank formed in a box shape with an open top and configured to store oil to be supplied to the oil tank, and a supply bottle for receiving the oil to be supplied to the tank, The tank is connected to the oil tank and is installed so that the oil level of the oil tank is equal to the oil level of the tank; The supply bottle is attached to the inside of the tank with a spout formed at one end of the supply bottle facing downward and entering the oil in the tank.

2. 2. The oil supply device according to claim 1, wherein the supply bottle is a plastic bottle.

3. A second tank is provided which is connected to the tank and stores oil to be supplied to the oil tank. The height of the oil level in the second tank is equal to the height of the oil level in the tank, The oil supply device according to claim 2, characterized in that the second tank is connected to the oil tank and is located between the oil tank and the tank in the oil supply path from the tank to the oil tank, and is installed so that the oil level in the oil tank is equal to the oil level in the second tank.

4. 4. The oil supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of the supply bottles.

5. 5. The oil supply device according to claim 4, wherein the height of the spout of at least one of the plurality of supply bottles is different from the height of the spout of the other supply bottles except for the one supply bottle.

6. 6. The oil replenishing device according to claim 5, wherein the heights of the spouts of the plurality of supply bottles are different from each other.

7. The oil supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and the oil tank, The fryer is characterized in that the oil level in the oil tank is equal to the oil level in the tank.

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