Semiautomatic frying machine and air filter apparatus therefor

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. Semiautomatic frying apparatus comprising:

a food-carrying basket having a forward mounting lip and a rearward handle;

an elongated basket-supporting shaft having lip-engaging means for selectively engaging and disengaging said basket lip as said basket is moved in generally forward and rearward directions, respectively;

means for mounting said shaft for rotation in opposite directions;

rotation means for rotating said shaft in opposing directions between first and second positions in response to first and second rotational control signals;

vessel means for holding a liquid cooking medium, said vessel means spaced from said shaft so that a basket having the lip thereof engaged with said lip engaging means is at least partly immersed in said liquid cooking medium when said shaft is in said first position an is removed from said liquid cooking medium when said shaft is in said second position;

enclosure means beneath said vessel means;

heating means for heating the liquid cooking medium in said vessel, including a generally plate-like member having an upper vessel-engaging surface dispose below said shaft and an internal electrical heat source, said plate-like member cooperating with said inclosure means to form a downwardly extending cavity therewith, said plate-like member defining a downwardly facing recess opening into said cavity and said heating means including at least one temperature sensor in said recess for sensing the temperature of said heating means and disposed adjacent said cavity so as to sense the temperature of the air thereat;

control means including means for initiating an input signal, and means responsive to said input signal for initiating a sequence of first and second control signals for rotating said shaft so as to bring said basket into and out of engagement with said liquid cooking medium; connecting means for transmitting said first and second control signals from said control means to said rotating means;

air ventilation means at least partly surrounding said vessel for inducing a flow of air for withdrawing cooking vapors rising from liquid cooking medium disposed in said vessel and for inducing a flow of air through said cavity and across said temperature sensor; and

door means adjacent the front of said plate-like member, movable between an open position for allowing air flow through said cavity and across said at least one temperature sensor and a closed position for blocking air flow through said cavity and across said at least one temperature sensor.

2. Semiautomatic frying apparatus comprising:

a food-carrying basket;

an elongated basket-supporting shaft having engaging means for selectively engaging and disengaging said basket;

means for mounting said shaft for rotation in opposite directions;

rotation means for rotating said shaft in opposing directions between first and second positions in response to first and second rotational control signals;

vessel means for holding a liquid cooking medium, said vessel means spaced from said shaft so that a basket engaged with said shaft is at least partly immersed in said liquid cooking medium when said shaft is in said first position and is remove from said liquid cooking medium when said shaft is in said second position;

enclosure means beneath said vessel means;

heating means for heating the liquid cooking medium in said vessel, including a generally plate-like member having an upper vessel-engaging surface disposed below said shaft and an internal electrical heat source, said plate-like member cooperating with said enclosure means to form a downwardly extending cavity therewith, and said heating means including at least one temperature sensor with a first portion adjacent said plate-like member for sensing the temperature thereof an a second portion adjacent said cavity so as to sense the temperature of the air thereat;

control means including means for initiating an input signal, and means responsive to said input signal for initiating a sequence of first an second control signals for rotating said shaft so as to bring said basket into and out of engagement with said liquid cooking medium;

connecting means for transmitting said first and second control signals from said control means to said rotating means;

air ventilation means at least partly surrounding said vessel for inducing a flow of air for withdrawing cooking vapors rising from liquid cooking medium disposed in said vessel an for including a flow of air through said cavity and across said temperature sensor; and

door means adjacent the front of said plate-like member, movable between an open position for allowing air flow through said cavity and across said at least one temperature sensor and a closed position for blocking air flow through said cavity and across said at least one temperature sensor.

3. Semiautomatic frying appar