Food frying and dispensing apparatus

摘要

Food frying and dispensing apparatus is disclosed which is housed in a supporting cabinet and includes a device for holding a supply of cooking oil and a heating device for maintaining the temperature of the cooking oil sufficiently high for cooking successive batches of food products introduced into the oil by a food support basket. A fan assembly exhausts air through the top of the cabinet. A derated precipitator, a charcoal filter, a fragrance holding apparatus and an ozone generator are positioned upstream of the fan assembly and in the path of air flow to eliminate any smoke or odor produced within the apparatus prior to discharge of the air from the cabinet. Food handling apparatus pivotally positions the food support basket in three separate and distinct positions with the three positions being in the cooking oil in a "cook" position, out of the oil in a food product "dispense" position and out of the oil in a "ready" position. The food handling apparatus is automatically moved to and locked in the "ready" position after the food product has been dispensed from the food frying and dispensing apparatus. The device for holding a supply of cooking oil is designed to hold the minimum amount of cooking oil to perform the cooking function and includes a cold zone in the lower portion of the device to trap and hold any food debris which is deposited into the oil.