Abstract: A recirculating filter system for purifying heated liquids, primarily cooking oils or lard, has a sealed filter canister having therein a cotton fiber filter and an upper lid and baffle chamber assembly. An inlet orifice at the bottom of the canister is fed by a pressurized line containing impure oil. An outlet at the top of the canister carries the filtered oil from the baffle chamber to a return line back to the cooking vessel. The cotton fiber filter is contained below the lid and baffle chamber assembly by a retainer pad means forming a second stage to the filtering.

Abstract: A portable filter has an oil remove/return wand for insertion into a cooking apparatus utilizing hot oil. A flexible hose connects the wand to a motor pump and supports a motor direction control switch adjacent to the wand. A compartmentalized housing includes: a container having an inlet and an outlet, a removable filter holder mounted in the container, plumbing connecting the container inlet and outlet to the motor pump, a heating element for the outlet plumbing, a control panel having an OFF switch for connection to a power supply and FILTER and HEATER switches connected to the OFF switch, and indicator lights for the OFF, FILTER, HEATER switches. The motor direction switch is connected to the FILTER switch and to first and second delay circuits. The heater switch is connected to the heater element to apply power; while the heater switch is ON the filter switch cannot be activated.

Abstract: A fat recirculating system with an external, gas-heated heat exchanger for a deep fat fryer is disclosed. The use of such a system necessitates recirculation also of cleaning solution and rinse water through inaccessible plumbing of the recirculation system whenever fat is to be replaced. To remove residual water droplets from the plumbing after rinsing, a "dry cycle" is utilized. The dry cycle includes intermittent application of heating and cooling of the empty heat exchanger, resulting in a substantial reduction in start-up time when the fryer is refilled and operation again commenced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high efficiency deep fat fryer from whose fry tank fat is continuously withdrawn for heating and filtration. A pump circulates part of this fat through a helical- or serpentine-shaped finned-tube heat exchanger positioned between a gas-fired burner and the bottom of the fry tank. The remaining portion of fat is directed through a filter located in the bottom zone of the fry tank. The fryer includes a control system with sensors such as pressure switches for preventing damage to the fat at low flow rates and devices for expelling moisture trapped in the pump. The filter has an element of material such as carbon-impregnated cloth which may be quickly replaced without draining fat from the tank.

Abstract: An edible oil cleaner wherein a perforated plate is provided to define a filtering zone within a filter housing, a portion of a filter web paid out of a roll thereof pivotably supported in the housing is disposed to lie over the perforated plate, the web is inserted at its downstream part between nip rollers to be movable when subjected to a rotational force of the nip rollers, and a motor for rotating the nip rollers is intermittently energized in response to a detection of deterioration in the filtering function of the filter web portion on the perforated plate, whereby impurities are continuously automatically filtered off from the edible oil introduced into the filter housing to effectively prevent the oil from being oxidized and to remarkably improve its durability.

Abstract: A device is provided for removing particles formed in the deep fat frying of foodstuffs in liquefied grease which pumps the mixture of liquefied grease and the particles suspended therein from a deep fat fryer and delivers the mixture to a filter and provides for the return of the liquefied grease filtrate to the deep fat fryer or for its transfer to a storage container.

Abstract: A method and device for use in connection with a dough divider machine which continuously uses mineral oil for lubrication. The method comprises capturing mineral oil, flour, and dough contaminants which becomes mixed as the dough divider operates and filtering the captured mixture so that substantially pure mineral oil is separated from the flour, dough and contaminates. The substantially pure mineral oil is then injected back into the dough divider machine for lubrication. By comparing lost mineral oil to the weight of bakery products produced during a predetermined period, the amount of mineral oil in the bakery products is determined. The filtration method and device utilize a gravity filtration diffuser coalesence and precipitation and a suction filtration. The device is portable for use with either one or more dough divider machines and for cleaning.

Abstract: A fat frier comprising a fat container which contains fat to be heated and in which are disposed a heating means, a sieve-type or mesh-type container for the material to be fried and, beneath the fat to be heated, a layer of water, characterized in that disposed in the fat container, beneath the heating means, are cooling means which cool the fat in the region of the interface between the fat and the water.

Abstract: A cooking oil filtering apparatus has a frame and a filter supported therein. The filter is an assembly of juxtaposed layers including a filter layer formed of a uniformly porous web comprising randomly distributed, randomly interentangled, synthetic polymeric blown microfibers that are less than 10 microns in diameter and a support layer of highly porous, relatively stiff, light weight sheet material, more porous than the filter layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a deep fat fryer of the external heat exchanger, pumped-recirculation type, and more specifically, discloses a control system for automatically heating and recirculating the fat either continuously or intermittently as needed to accommodate one or both of two conditions existing in such a fryer. First, during continuous circulation and frying vapor lock may occur at the pump impeller, inhibiting recirculation. Automatic shifting to intermittent operation is made to occur until the vapor "burps" itself from the pump. Additionally, when starting a fryer and using solid shortening, the pump and burner are operated intermittently until such time as the pump and heat exchanger are sufficiently full of melted shortening to permit continuous circulation. Upon sensing that full condition and our associated pressure, the system shifts automatically to continuous recirculation.

Abstract: A dual filtering apparatus for filtering deep fat frying vat oil includes a remote filtering screen attached to a tub by a flexible conduit for conveying oil and includes a fine filtering assembly that is at least partially provided within the upper chamber of the tub to further treat the oil from the remote filtering screen.

Abstract: A method and system for filtering cooking oil in cooking vessels is disclosed. In accordance with the method and system, there is provided a collection vessel for collecting filtered oil, a filter member for filtering contaminants and particulate matter from the cooking oil, and a centrifugal pump apparatus which includes an impeller, an impeller discharge, and a flexible conduit having an inlet end connected to the impeller discharge and an outlet end. The filter member is supported in relation to the collection vessel so as to be in position to receive oil to be filtered, and then to discharge filtered oil into the collection vessel. The centrifugal pump apparatus is adapted to be placed directly in the cooking vessel so that at least the impeller thereof is in direct contact with the oil to be filtered, and the outlet end of the flexible conduit is arranged to be in position to discharge oil pumped therethrough into the filter member.

Abstract: A food chopper pump is connected by a conduit to an outlet opening at the bottom of a frying well which contains cooking oil used in the frying of various foods. The chopper pump contains a motor-driven rotor having a plurality of radially movable vanes spaced about the periphery which chop large food particles entering the chopper pump from the frying well. The rotor is mounted eccentrically, whereby the vanes are movable radially inwardly to prevent large food particles from stopping the motor in one portion of the pump yet which provides a sealing effect when moving through another portion of the chopper pump. The comminuted food particles and oil pass through a coarse filter which removes most of the food particles from the oil before passing through a fine filter which removes any smaller remaining food particles, after which the filtered oil is returned to the frying well. A valved bypass line enables the system to continue to operate during the replacement of the filters.

Abstract: A filtering system for deep fat fryers includes a filter tub for receiving contaminated oil from fat frying vats, a primary filtering means mounted in a covering relationship to bottom wall of said tub, and a fine filter cannister to effect removal of contaminated particles down to at least 1/10 of a micron in size from said oils.

Abstract: Disclosed is a deep fat fryer with a filtration system to continuously filter liquid cooking fat circulated by a pump. A fryer filter with a filter element of material such as carbon-impregnated cloth is located in the bottom of a fry tank and is rotatable about a swivel joint between a horizontal operating position and a vertical servicing position. In the vertical position the upper end of the filter is above the surface of the fat in the fry tank and the filter element may readily be replaced without draining the tank and without risk of leakage of fat.

Abstract: A method and system for filtering cooking oil in cooking vessels is disclosed. In accordance with the method and system, there is provided a collection vessel for collecting filtered oil, a filter member for filtering contaminants and particulate matter from the cooking oil, and a centrifugal pump apparatus which includes an impeller, an impeller discharge, and a flexible conduit having an inlet end connected to the impeller discharge and an outlet end. The filter member is supported in relation to the collection vessel so as to be in position to receive oil to be filtered, and then to discharge filtered oil into the collection vessel. The centrifugal pump apparatus is adapted to be placed directly in the cooking vessel so that at least the impeller thereof is in direct contact with the oil to be filtered, and the outlet end of the flexible conduit is arranged to be in position to discharge oil pumped therethrough into the filter member.

Abstract: Deep fat fryer system of cabinet with plurality of separate fryers having oil supply conduits and drain means including selectively operable drain valves and extra large snap-out manifold, and a portable filter unit having motor driven pump mounted thereon with quick-connector to supply conduits, auxiliary support rollers on filter unit, and tracks in cabinet for receiving filter unit rollers to insure accurate alignment and connection of quick-connector; filter unit being employable with other fryers and for melting fat and transferring hot oil to any selected point of use.

Abstract: A direct fired fryer includes a combustion chamber heated by burner means and heats a vat of cooking oil through a partition wall as well as through a network of heat conducting tubes arranged in the vat and communicating with the combustion chamber. A wiper conveyor sweeps fines from the bottom of the vat to a sump for discharge outside of the conveyor and also cleans the upper surfaces of the heat conducting tubes to minimize the carbonaceous burnoff.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for filtering frying oil in a cooker apparatus includes the steps of adding diatomaceous earth to oil in the cooking vessel; draining the oil into a drain pan; drawing the oil through a filter positioned in said drain pan, such that said earth is deposited on the surface of said filter; and returning said oil to the cooking vessel. Thereafter, the oil is filtered by the steps of draining the oil into said drain pan such that the earth is not disturbed to any substantial extent off of the surface of said filter; drawing the oil through said filter; and automatically returning said oil to the cooking vessel.The improved apparatus includes attaching said drain pan and filter to said cooker apparatus and positioning a metallic plate between the drain opening of said vessel and said filter such that the oil drained into said drain pan is initially deflected to prevent disturbing the diatomaceous earth deposited on the surface of said filter.

Abstract: An oil filtering and purifying apparatus comprising a closed pressure tank with fluid inlet and outlet openings and a plurality of vertically stacked filter units removably arranged within the tank; the filter units have central hubs with vertical flow passages; the flow passages of adjacent hubs communicate with each other and with the outlet opening; each unit includes a lower horizontal plate carried by its hub, a felting screen supported in spaced relationship above the plate and cooperating therewith to define a fluid conducting chamber below the screen and about the hub; and fluid ports in the hub communicating with the flow passage therein and with the chamber related thereto; the apparatus next includes a deposit of particulate filtering material atop the felting screen of each unit; a section line from said inlet opening to a supply of oil to be filtered; and a motor driven fluid pump with its inlet communicating with said outlet opening and its outlet communicating with an oil delivery line.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method for removing fatty acids from shortening ingredients such as is used in the preparation of foods by the deep-frying method. More particularly, this invention relates to a new and improved filtration powder used in the extraction of fatty acids from shortening used in a variety of cooking processes such as deep frying, and which requires a singular pass of shortening, containing the powder through a filter cloth in order to extract the fatty acid from the shortening. The filtration material constitutes a powder-like glassy rhyolite, specifically pumicite, contained in a cellulose filter paper or the like and through which the cooking shortening circulates or through which the cooking shortening may be circulated for purposes of removing the saturated fatty acids.

Abstract: A grease separating system includes four successive chambers. The heated, emulsified grease is passed through a solids retention box into an inlet chamber where cool water is sprayed onto the emulsified grease. This mixture is passed through a connecting chamber, and then over baffles at the entrance of a collection chamber. The grease having been separated from its emulsified state rises to the top of the mixture in the collection chamber, and the water passes into a discharge chamber and in to the connected sewer system. After successive operations, the floated grease is sensed when it reaches a predetermined level, and an alarm is sounded to indicate that the accumulated grease should be removed.

Abstract: A filter is provided for removing particles entrained in a liquid, this filter comprising an endless fine mesh filter belt which is relatively short and which moves slowly over a supporting plurality of generally cylindrical rolls. This belt is a single layer of generally delicate woven metallic mesh and is provided with special means for moving and tracking the belt. This moving and tracking structure includes a link belt endless chain outside of each longitudinal side edge of the belt, these chains being rigidly attached over the adjacent edge of the belt. The belt can be held to its desired path around all of the supporting rolls and, preferably, over a suction box and past a cleaning point and returning to a starting point with no sensing devices, no special tracking rolls or tenter rolls, without powered devices, and with a minimum of close tolerance machining.

Abstract: Filter for cooking oil formed of polyester or polytetrafluoroethylene having specific characteristics. The filter is removably supported on a frame which permits easy replacement of the filter.

Abstract: An on-line closed-vessel circulating filter is especially adapted for filtering edible cooking oils and the like in fast-food establishments and similar installation. The filter apparatus includes a vessel and cover which enclose a filter assembly. The filter assembly is provided with a foraminous member which supports a filter element. To hold the filter element in place and retain filter aid material and filtrate on the filter element, a gravity clamp member presses the filter element against the foraminous member by inner and outer weight rings. The filter assembly can be removed and replaced by a centrally located lift rod.

Abstract: A deep fat fryer which maintains fat clean and extends fat life by automatically removing crumbs and food particles from the bottom of fat-containing vessels as said crumbs and food particles settle thereon during frying.

Abstract: A fry kettle is divided by an internal crosswall to define an oil storage compartment having a heating element submerged in the oil for cooking foods. Crumbs and other contaminants are separated from the cooking oil by continuously drawing off a small portion of the oil from the storage compartment through an opening in the crosswall into an integral filter compartment where the oil passes through openings into a crumb catcher which is carried by a removable frame adjacent the internal crosswall and above a manually-operated flow control valve. The valve includes a valve stem projecting to the top of the kettle where it can be positioned to terminate the flow of oil through a passageway in a subfloor that is spaced above the bottom wall of a filter compartment.

Abstract: Continuously flowing cooking oil is recovered by passing the oil through a series of filters, one of which contains a carbonaceous material, such as bone char. The oil may be simultaneously heated during each filtering step, and the acidity of the oil may be reduced to avoid rancity.