US3329081A

US3329081A - Doughnut machine with floating kettle having heat transfer coils and a removable operating unit with the kettle

Info

Publication number: US3329081A
Application number: US477535A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ernest J Roth
Original assignee: Cons Foods Corp
Current assignee: International Multifoods Corp; Cons Foods Corp
Priority date: 1965-08-05
Filing date: 1965-08-05
Publication date: 1967-07-04
Anticipated expiration: 1984-07-04
Also published as: GB1130101A

Description

E. J. ROTH 3,329,081

G KETTLE HAVING HEAT TRANSFER ATING UNIT WITH THE KETTLE July 4, 1967 7 Sheets-Sheet l DOUGHNUT MACHINE WITH FLOATIN COILS AND A REMOVABLE OPER Filed Aug. 5, 1965 INVENTOR. ERNEST J. ROTH BY www 5, SW 5. m

97' ORNEV E. J. ROTH July 4, 1967 3,329,081 TRANSFER NG UNIT WITH THE KETTLE DOUGHNUT MACHINE WITH FLOATING KETTLE HAVING HEAT COILS AND A REMOVABLE OPERATI Filed Aug. 5, 1965 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 8N am g Nb 4. 8 R al Wk .I||.I- Ill am .Iiliill. IK IL II I II II J @m mma VI|\ July 4, 1967 .J. ROTH 3,329,031

' DOUGHNUT MACHINE WITH FLOATING KETTLE HAVING HEAT TRANSFER COILS AND A REMOVABLE OPERATING UNIT WITH THE KETTLE '7 sheets sheet Filed Aug. 5, 1965 RD i HHI ll HUI Q 4 v w INVENTOR.

ERNEST J FZOTH July 4, 1967 E. J. ROTH 3,329, DOUGHNUT MACHINE WITH FLOATING KETTLE HAVING HEAT TRANSFER COILS AND A REMOVABLE OPERATING UNIT WITH THE KETTLE Filed Aug. 1965 7 Sheetrysheet 4 INVENTOR. ERNEST J. Eo-TH y 4, 6 E J. ROTH 3,329,081

DOUGHNUT MACHINE WITH FLOATING KETTLE HAVING HEAT TRANSFER COILS AND A REMOVABLE OPERATING UNIT WITH THE KETTLE '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 5, 1965 ENE? ll 7 $5 NQ w\ w g g N& K 3 (W g g N EH pi E & T J .l p r -l|| .l\| UN wlUtl F J M mm w W WWHII WHHH" w I Qw (W ll! IV II! g? n f 1 WW. Mi i A| 1 Al Al 5 M w (a? 5 g m; :m n A l W "III w w M w "Hug \JK a (3 H; s M\\ -\i & MQ wmk aw g g 5 h g g @Q 3,329,081 AT TRANSFER E. J. ROTH- LOATING KETTL July 4', 1967 HAVING H OVABLE OPERATING UNIT WITH THE K ETTLE DOUGHNUT MACHINE WITH F COILS AND A REM 5, 1965 7 Shets--$heet '5 Filed Aug.

INVENTOR.

ERNEST Jv ROTH- BY v HTTOENEV United States Patent DOUGHNUT MACHINE WITH FLOATING KETTLE HAVING HEAT TRANSFER COILS AND A RE- MOVABLE OPERATING UNIT WITH THE KETTLE Ernest J. Roth, Ridgewood, N.J., assignor to Consolidated Foods Corporation, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Maryland, also doing business as Joe Lowe Company, Englewood, NJ.

Filed Aug. 5, 1965, Ser. No. 477,535 13 Claims. (Cl. 99-405) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A doughnut machine having a supporting structure comprising a main outer frame for supporting the main driving mechanisms for the receiving conveyor, turn-over device and the delivery conveyor, a spaced inner frame supported by said main outer frame at longitudinally spaced intervals; a frying kettle suspended by said inner frame and being free of any fixed attachments thereto; and said frying kettle having a series of spaced built-in heating units through which the frying shortening is heated by means of a heat transfer fluid being circulated therethrough. A removable supporting structure within the frying kettle having the receiving conveyor, turn-over device and the delivery conveyor mounted thereon, and readily separable means for connecting and disconnecting said receiving conveyor said turn-over device and said delivery conveyor to their respective main driving mechanisms on the main outer frame, without dismantling or requiring the use of special tools.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the invention The present invention relates generally to improvements in doughnut machines, and it has particular relation to the construction of relatively large commercial machines, whereby the frying shortening is heated by a heat transfer fluid in a heater located at a remote distance from the frying kettle, the frying kettle is mounted in a free floating manner whereby its expansion and contraction cannot cause undue stresses and strains capable of opening the welds therein, and the operating mechanism within the kettle can be removed as a unit for thorough cleaning of the kettle.

Heretofore, in large commercial doughnut machines the frying kettles were securely bolted to the frame structure and were equipped either with a series of direct gas burners under the bottom of the kettle or gas fired tubes passing through the sidewalls of the kettle. The expansion and contraction of the metal of which the kettles were fabricated frequently set up sufiicient stresses and strains to cause openings of the welds, allowing the shortening to leak therefrom. Such heating means also provided non uniform heat, localized overheating, excessive surface temperatures or hot spots that were injurious to the dough forms being fried therein, gave oif gas fumes, created fire hazards and caused the formation of sludge and scale in the frying kettles that were exceedingly diflicult to clean and remove, creating an unsatisfactory dirt problem.

Such prior art frying kettles had flat table-top side flanges formed integrally therewith for mounting the operating mechanisms for driving the various conveyors and turn-over device. With this construction, the heat of the shortening in the frying kettle was directly conducted into the driving mechanisms, causing undue warpage, constant binding and frequent break downs.

3,329,081 Patented July 4, 1967 ice 2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With the present invention, all of the above disadvantages have been obviated, and there is provided a safe, sanitary and efficient frying kettle that cannot unduly warp, the temperature may be controlled within a few degrees and the formation of sludge and scale has been eliminated.

With an even control of heat of the shortening in the frying kettle with a fluctuation not exceeding a few degrees, the fried doughnuts have a greater uniformity of color and cell structure, which results in the fried doughnuts having an increased and more uniform expansion. It is also possible with the same amount of absorption of shortening to reduce the scaling weight of the raw dough forms approximately ten percent and produce a better eating doughnut of comparable size due to its more uniform expansion. This increased expansion of the raw dough forms has resulted in approximately a six percent savings in doughnut flour.

An object of the present invention is to provide a frying kettle for a doughnut machine which utilizes a remote heating unit and a heat transfer liquid to heat the shortening in the frying kettle, thereby eliminating gas fumes, fire hazards, sludge, scale and dirt problems.

Another object of the invention is the unique arrangement of the built-in heating coils on the sides and bottom of the frying kettle to provide a uniform heat that may be easily and automatically controlled within a short range of a few degrees.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a novel mounting means for the frying kettle which may be aptly termed free floating, whereby the frying kettle is free to expand and contract with changes of the temperatures so that no great stresses or strains will be set up in the kettle suflicient to cause openings in its welds and leaks in the kettle through said openings.

Another object of the invention is to provide a frying kettle whose shortening may be heated through a heat transfer liquid that is thermally stable, chemically inert, non-corrosive and non-volatile, forming a closed heating system that is safe, sanitary and eliminates all fumes, smoke and flame.

- A further object of the invention is to provide a doughnut machine in which the frying kettle is mounted on a supporting structure which is separate and substantially insulated from the supporting structure for the operating mechanism, thereby preventing the heat from the frying kettle being passed directly, as by conduction, to the operating mechanism, causing warpage, binding and eventually breakdowns, especially in its driving shafts.

Another object of the invention is the simple mounting of the operating conveyors and turn-over device as a unit that can be easily and quickly raised above the kettle to permit a quick, thorough and sanitary cleaning of the inside surfaces thereof.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention, which result in simplicity, economy and efficiency, will be apparent from the following detailed description, wherein a preferred form or embodiment of the invention is shown, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals indicate like parts:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a large commercial doughnut machine embodying the principles of the in vention, but with its conventional dough former left OK for the sake of clearness;

FIGURE 2. is a longitudinal sectional view of the ma chine shown in FIGURE 1, same having been taken substantially along the line 2-2 thereof, looking in the direction of the arrows; and also illustrating in dotted lines the dough former, a smoke collecting hood above the kettle with its supporting structure, showing how the several conveying mechanisms may be raised and removed from the kettle as a single unit;

FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 of FIGURE 1, looking in the d1- rection of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of a, chain coupling of the driving unit for the turn-over device, the same having been taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the chain coupling shown in FIGURE 3 with its chain removed to show the spacing therebetween, the same having been taken substantially along the line 5-5 thereof;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the main outer and inner frame members, which support the driving mechanisms and frying kettle, respectively;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the inner and outer supporting frame members, showing in greater detail the manner of assembly, the mounting of the frying kettle and also the details of one of the angular brackets and its clamping member;

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of the removable unitary supporting structure for the conveyors and turnover device which are mounted within the frying kettle, showing the shafts and sprockets which operate the several conveyors and the turn-over device, said driving chains having been eliminated to better illustrate the details thereof;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of one of the operating units which connect a main outer drive to an inner chain conveyor through a chain coulin P FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view taken substantially along the line 1010 of FIGURE 8, showing the adjustable means for taking up slack in a conveyor chain;

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the frying kettle, showing the quadrant arrangement of the several heating coil units for distributing the heat transfer fluid, one section being shown with arrows indicating the directional flow of the heat transfer fluid therethrough;

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially along the line 12-12 of FIGURE 11, showing the manifold connecting the side heating coil to the bottom heating coils of the frying kettle;

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary diagrammatic side elevational view of the apparatus used to raise the hood and the inner removable supporting structure from the frying kettle to facilitate cleaning of the latter; and

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary diagrammatic end elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 13.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings and particularly FIG- URES 3, 6 and 7, there is shown the main features of a metal supporting frame structure consisting of a tubular outer frame member 32 rectangular in cross-section and a spaced inner frame member 34 which is square in cross-section.

The outer frame member 32 is of a substantially rectangular shape, having a pair of widely spaced tubular top side rails 36 and 38 (see FIGURE 3), which are welded onto a spaced series of supporting legs 40. The legs 40 are also connected adjacent their lower ends by a second pair of similarly spaced

tubular bottom rails

42 and 44. Each of the legs 40 is provided with a conventional independently adjustable foot 46 for leveling the supporting structure upon installation. The legs 40 are also connected transversely by intermediate cross braces 48, bottom cross braces 49 and end cross braces 50. The

upper side rails

36 and 38, and

lower side rails

42 and 44 along with the intermediate cross braces 48 and bottom cross braces 49 are welded to said legs 40. The end cross braces 50 have vertically extending

end flanges

52 and 54, which are secured by tap bolts 56 to the inner sides of the legs 40.

The fixed metal inner frame member 34, as best shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, provides a structural support for the frying kettle 12. It will be noted that the inner frame member 34 is made up of a series of longitudinally spaced straight sections 61 and right angle end sections 63, forming non-connected longitudinally extending top side rails spaced inwardly and slightly below the top surface of the top side rails 36 and 38 of the main outer frame member 32. The intermediate top rail sections 61 of the inner frame member 34 are supported from the side rails 36 and 38 of the main outer frame member 32 by a series of longitudinally spaced transversely extending supporting brackets 70, as best shown in FIGURE 7. The integrally formed base plates 72 of the supporting brackets are mounted to the inner sides of the top side rails 36 and 38 by a pair of vertically spaced tap bolts 74. The inwardly extending and horizontally projecting arm 76 of the bracket 70 is welded to the outer side of the

rail sections

61 and 63. Each of the angular end sections 63 has a downwardly projecting arm 65, whose lower end is welded to the upper surfaces of the end cross braces 50. The metal frying kettle 12 will be mounted on the tops of the

rails

61 and 63 in a suspended free floating manner, which will be hereinafter described in greater detail.

Mounted in longitudinally spaced relation on the top surfaces of the top side rails 36 and 38 of the main outer frame member 32 are a series of longitudinally spaced

flat metal plates

80, 82, 84 and 86. These plates are secured to said top side rails 36 and 38 by tap bolts 88 extending vertically upwardly therethrough. The

plates

80, 82 and 84 provide suitable mountings for the driving mechanism for the receiving conveyor 14, turn-over device 16 and delivery conveyor 18, respectively, which are best shown in FIGURE 1. These plates also provide suitable base mountings for a stainless steel cover 89.

THE FRYING KETTLE The metal frying kettle 12, as best shown in FIGURE 11, is of a rectangular shape. It has a bottom 90 welded to

upstanding side walls

92 and 94 and

upstanding end walls

96 and 98. A reinforcing bar 99 is welded below the junction of the bottom and each of the side and end walls, as best shown in FIGURE 12.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, it will be noted that the

upstanding sidewalls

92 and 94 each has an integrally formed outwardly extending horizontal flange 100, whose free outer edge is turned downwardly at a right angle, as indicated at 102, to fit around and substantially enclose the side rails 61 and 63 of the main inner frame member 34. An asbestos or other type of heat insulating gasket 104 is mounted between the under sides of the side flanges 100 and the tops of the side supporting

rail sections

61 and 63 of the inner frame member 34, as best shown in FIGURE 7. The gasket 104 provides a suitable heat insulation barrier between the frying kettle 12 and its supporting

rails

61 and 63. It will be noted that the frying kettle 12 is not fastened fixedly to any part of its supporting frame member 34, and consequently may be said to be free floating since it is free to expand and/or contract in any direction with changes of temperature of the frying shortening. The weight of the frying kettle 12 and its shortening contents are suificient to hold it frictionally in a substantially fixed position on its inner supporting frame member 34.

The changes of temperature in the frying shortening will range from normal room temperatures to approximately five hundred degrees F. Such temperature changes can cause a longitudinal expansion and/ or contraction of over one-half inch in trying kettles over fifteen feet in length. When the frying kettles are fastened fixedly to their supporting structures, such expansion and/ or contraction sets up serious stresses and strains suflicient to cause breaks and/ or openings in its welds from which the shortening can leak out of the frying kettle. Obviously, the repair of such breaks is very time consuming and costly because of the resultant shut down in production.

While the suspension of a free floating frying kettle has been shown and described only in connection with the use of a remote heater and a heater transfer fluid for heating the shortening, it is practical to use the free floating principle for the mounting of the prior art frying kettles that are heated with direct gas burners or gas fired tubular boilers mounted within the kettle. This free floating mounting has practically eliminated breaks in the welds, which have been the major cause of leaks in such frying kettles.

THE HEATING SYSTEM The shortening in the frying kettle 12 is heated by means of a remote thermostatically controlled heater (not shown) and a transfer heating fluid (not shown), which is circulated through suitable integrally formed heating coils hereinafter to be more fully explained. Such a system eliminates scale and sludge problems. The heat transfer fluid is thermally stable, chemically inert, non-corrosive and non-volatile. The heat transfer fluid may be heated in a heater located at any reasonable distance from the frying kettle 12. It may be circulated continuously through properly insulated piping (not shown) to the frying kettle 12 and then returned to the heater for reheating, thereby forming a completely closed and sealed heating system.

With this type of heating system, it is possible for the temperature of the frying shortening to be controlled within a fluctuation not greater than two degrees F. Such even heat and unusual control of the temperature of the frying shortening results in greater uniformity of color and greater uniformity of cell structure in the fried finished doughnuts, which results in a greater expansion than can be produced in conventional fryers of the prior art hereinabove described.

It will be apparent in FIGURE 11 that the bottom 90 of the frying kettle 12 is reinforced by longitudinally spaced and transversely extending cross braces 105, and divided into individual heating quadrants, 106, 107, 108 and 109, and that the integrally formed bottom heating coils are so arranged that each quadrant circulates independently, having its own inlet 126 and its own outlet 160. The connecting pipe system between the inlets and outlets and the remote heater are not shown.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, the incoming heat transfer fluid is delivered to each quadrant through an inlet pipe 116, passing through a coupling 118 into a manifold 120, 'which subdivides the incoming fluid into alterally extending

branch pipes

122 and 124, leading to opposite sides of the frying kettle, then through suitable couplings 125 and into the inlets 126. From the inlets 126, the heat transfer fluid enters an integrally formed side heating coil 128, which is mounted along the sidewall 92 of the frying kettle 12 adjacent its bottom 90. The side plate coil 128 conducts the heat transfer fluid to the back end 96 of the kettle 12. At the back end 96 of the kettle 12, the side heating coil 128 is connected to a transversely extending manifold 130, which, in turn, is connected with a series of longitudinally extending parallel bottom coils 132, 134, 136 and 138. The heating coils 132, 134, 136 and 138 (see FIGURE 12) convey the heat transfer fluid towards the center of the kettle 12, whereupon they are connected by a series of transversely extending heating coils 140 to a second series of longitudinally extending parallel bottom heating coils 142, 144, 146 and 148, which in turn conduct the heat transfer fluid towards the end 96 of the kettle 12. The

coils

142, 144, 146 and 148 adjacent the end 96 are connected by another series of transversely extending heating coils to a third series of longitudinally extending parallel heating coils 150, 152, 154 and 156, which in turn conduct the heat transfer fluid again towards the center of the kettle 12 and into the outlet 160. From the outlet 160, the heat transfer fluid flows through a coupling 162 into a header 164, through another coupling 166 and into a pipe 168, which, in turn, is connected by pipes (not shown) that return it to the remote heater for reheating to the proper temperature.

While the heating coil arrangement has been described in detail for only the quadrant 106, it is to be understood that each of the remaining

quadrants

107, 108 and 109 is identical to that hereinabove described for the quadrant 106 andneed not be repeated herein.

The frying kettle 12, whose bottom slopes inwardly and downwardly from its opposite ends, as best shown in FIGURE 2, towards a sump 169 extending transversely thereof. The sump 169 is provided with a drain outlet 170 for removing the frying shortening. The drain outlet 170 is connected to a remote storage tank (not shown).

THE RECEIVING CONVEYOR Referring now to FIGURE 1, there is shown a receiving conveyor 14 consisting of a pair of transversely spaced

chains

201 and 203 mounted over longitudinally spaced rear sprocket wheels 205 and 206 and spaced

forward sprocket wheels

209 and 210. The transversely spaced sprocket wheels 205 and 206 at the receiving end of the kettle 12 idle on a shaft 211. The opposite or forward end of the receiving conveyor 14 has its spaced

sprocket wheels

209 and 210 keyed to a shaft 215. The

chains

201 and 203 of the receiving conveyor 14 are transversely connected by a longitudinally spaced series of flight bars 219, which are of conventional construction and operate in a conventional manner to move the frying dough forms (not shown) forwardly for delivery to the turn-over device 16.

The drive shaft 215 has a second sprocket wheel 221 keyed thereto, which has a chain 223, whose opposite end engages a sprocket wheel 225, which is mounted slightly above and rearwardly of the frying kettle 12. The sprocket wheel 225 is keyed to a short shaft 227 that is journalled in an upstanding bearing bracket 229 welded to a base plate 231. The base plate 231 has transversely and longitudinally spaced

apertures

233 and 234 for receiving locating dowel pins. The opposite end of the shaft 227 has a second sprocket wheel 237 keyed thereto for receiving one side of a conventional coupling chain.

A sprocket wheel 239 is mounted in axial alignment and in spaced relation with the sprocket wheel 237 and the two form opposite sides of the chain coupling 241. The sprocket wheel 239 is keyed to a shaft 243 mounted in a suitable bearing supporting bracket 245, that is bolted to a mounting plate 247. The opposite or outer end of the shaft 243 has a sprocket wheel 249 keyed thereto, which is driven by a chain 468. The shaft 243 has keyed to its outer end a ratchet wheel assembly unit 253, hav. ing manipulating handles 255. The ratchet wheel assembly unit 253 forms no part of the present invention, but its construction and operation are described and claimed in my United States Letters Patent No. 3,154,187, issued Oct. 27, 1964.

THE SUBMERGED CONVEYOR Mounted in the frying kettle 12 immediately under the dough former 260 and below and within the receiving end of the receiving conveyor 14 is a submerged conveyor 262. The submerged conveyor 262 catches the freshly formed and sinking dough pieces, which are momentarily too heavy to float in the frying shortening, and keeps them moving forwardly until they have gained enough buoyancy by expanding in the frying shortening to float, whereupon they will be engaged by the flight bars 219 of the receiving conveyor 14.

The supporting structure for the submerged conveyor 262 is best shown in FIGURE 8, and consists of a pair of transversely spaced band wheels 264 and 266 mounted on the shaft 211, which shaft also has the idler sprocket wheels 205 and 206 of the receiving conveyor 14. A second shaft 268 is mounted forwardly of the shaft 211, and has a pair of similarly spaced

band wheels

269 and 271 keyed thereto in longitudinal alignment with the band wheels 264 and 266. Such band wheels serve as a support for a flexible metal mesh screen belt 273.

The shaft 211 has a pair of spaced

sprocket wheels

274 and 276. The shaft 268 has a similar pair of spaced

sprocket wheels

278 and 280. The

sprocket wheels

274 and 278 are aligned and connected by a chain. The

sprocket wheels

276 and 280 are aligned and connected by a chain. These aligned sprocket wheels and their respective chains drive the flexible metal mesh belt 273. The lattice-like structure 294, as best shown in FIGURE 8, consists of a pair of longitudinally spaced and transversely extending cross braces 295 and four transversely spaced and longitudinally extending braces 297. This lattice-like structure provides a suitable support for preventing the upper level of the mesh belt 273 from sagging.

The shaft 211 has a fifth sprocket wheel 296 connected to the sprocket wheel 206, and the shaft 268 has a similar fifth sprocket wheel 299 keyed thereto and aligned therewith. A chain 301 connects the

sprocket wheels

296 and 299, thereby providing a suitable driving means for the meshed belt 273.

THE TURN-OVER DEVICE Referring now to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, there is shown mounted transversely of the frying kettle 12 at the discharge end of the receiving conveyor 14, a conventional turn-over device 16 for receiving the half fried doughnuts, turning them over and transferring them to the receiving end of the delivery conveyor 18. The turn-over device 16 is mounted fixedly on a shaft 310. In the present illustration, the turner hands 311 and 313 are formed of a series of transversely spaced wire loops. Each

turner band

311 and 313 has one flat side, which receives the partially cooked doughnut and transfers it to the receiving end of the delivery conveyor 18, and one round side which serves as a stop for the partially fried doughnuts until the flat side of the next turner hand is moved into receiving position.

The shaft 310 has a sprocket wheel 319 keyed thereto, having a chain 321 that connects with a sprocket wheel 323 on a shaft 325. The shaft 325 has a sprocket wheel 327 keyed thereto, which forms one half of a chain coupling. The shaft 325 is journalled in an upstanding bearing block 328, which is mounted on a base plate 329. A sprocket wheel 331, which forms the opposite half of the chain coupling 329 is keyed to a shaft 333. The shaft 333 has a ratchet wheel assembly unit 335 keyed to its opposite end for adjusting the relationship of the turn-over device 16 to the receiving conveyor 14. This ratchet wheel assembly unit 335 is identical to the ratchet wheel assembly unit 253 previously described, and is provided with manipulating handles 336.

THE DELIVERY CONVEYOR Mounted forwardly of the turn-over device 16 is a delivery conveyor 18, which receives the partially fried doughnuts discharged by the turn-over device 16 and conveys them to the discharge conveyor 20. The delivery conveyor 18 consists of transversely spaced

chains

340 and 342 connected transversely at longitudinally spaced intervals by a series of flight bars 344.

The chain 340 is mounted over longitudinally spaced sprocket wheels 350 and 352, and the chain 342 is likewise mounted over longitudinally spaced

sprocket wheels

354 and 356. The

sprocket wheels

350 and 354 idle on a transversely extending shaft 360, and the sprocket wheels 352 and 356 are keyed to a forwardly spaced transversely extending shaft 362. The shaft 362 has a third sprocket wheel 364 keyed thereto, driven by a chain 366 whose opposite end engages a sprocket wheel 370 keyed to a shaft 372. The shaft 372 is journalled in an upstanding bearing block 374 that is mounted on a base plate 375, and has a sprocket wheel 376 keyed thereto, which forms one-half of a chain coupling hereinafter to be described in greater detail.

A sprocket wheel 378 (see FIGURE 1), which forms the opposite half of the chain coupling, is keyed to a shaft 379 suitably journalled in a second upstanding bearing block 380. The opposite end of the shaft 379 has a ratchet unit assembly 382 keyed thereto, having manipulating handles 383. The ratchet unit assembly 382 is identical to the ratchet unit assembly 253 previously described, and is attached by bolts 386 to the plate 384.

THE DISCHARGE CONVEYOR There is shown adjacent the outlet or discharge end of the frying kettle 12 a discharge conveyor 20, which receives the fried and finished doughnuts from the delivery end of the delivery conveyor 18 and removes them from the frying shortening for delivery to the next operation (not shown), which may be coating, cooling and/ or packaging.

The discharge conveyor is driven by a sprocket wheel 401, which is keyed to the shaft 362, a driving chain 403, whose opposite end engages a sprocket Wheel 405 keyed to a shaft 407 that extends transversely of the frying kettle 12, provides the driving means for the discharge conveyor.

The shaft 407 has spaced

sprocket wheels

413 and 415 keyed thereto, which drives the chains 417 and 419, respectively. The opposite end of the chain 417 engages a sprocket wheel 421 idling on a shaft 423. The opposite end of the chain 419 engages a sprocket wheel 429 also idling on the shaft 423. The chains 417 and 419 are connected transversely by a series of longitudinally spaced rods 431, which act as a belt to support the doughnuts travelling thereover.

THE DRIVING MECHANISM The main driving means for the doughnut machine is best shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 8.

The machine is operated by means of an electric motor 451, which, in turn, drives a sprocket wheel 455 mounted on a shaft 456. The shaft 456 has a sprocket wheel 457 driving a chain 458 which engages a sprocket wheel 459. The sprocket wheel 459 is keyed on an input shaft of a gear box 460. An output shaft 461 of the gear box 460 is connected to a universal joint 462, which drives a drive shaft 463, which is connected to a universal joint 464 that drives a gear box 465. The gear box 465 has an output shaft 466 to which a sprocket Wheel 467 is keyed, driving through a chain 468 the sprocket wheel 249 of the ratchet unit assembly 253 that, in turn, drives the receiving conveyor 14.

A second sprocket wheel 469 is keyed on the output shaft 466 of the gear 465. The sprocket wheel 469 drives a chain 470, which, in turn, drives a sprocket wheel 471 keyed to the shaft 333. The shaft 333 of the ratchet unit assembly 335, driving the turn-over device 16.

The gear box 465 has a second output shaft 476 driving a universal joint 482, which, in turn, drives a shaft 483. The shaft 483 drives a universal joint 484 that drives a driven shaft of a gear box 485. An output shaft 486 of the gear box 485 has a sprocket wheel 487 keyed thereto, driving a chain 490. The chain 490, in turn, drives a sprocket wheel 492 keyed to the shaft 379, which drives the ratchet assembly 382, driving the delivery conveyor 18.

The shaft 456 has a series of cams keyed thereto within the box 493 for controlling the operation of the dough former 260. Since the dough former 260 is of a conventional construction and forms no part of the present invention, the details of its operation need not be described further herein.

9 THE REMOVABLE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE OPERATING WITHIN THE FRYING KETTLE With the present invention, the supporting structure and conveyors operating within the frying kettle 12 have been made into an adjustable unitary structure that may be easily and conveniently removed from said frying kettle 12 to facilitate its cleaning without requiring dismantling of its various parts. In order to more clearly illustrate this novel feature of the invention, there is shown in FIGURE 8 the entire frame structure except for its major driving chains, which have been eliminated for the sake of clearness.

The unitary supporting structure 500 consists of a pair of

side plates

502 and 504. The

side plates

502 and 504 have bearing blocks welded thereto for journalling the ends of the

shafts

211 and 268.

A rail 510 extends parallel to and is spaced inwardly of the side plate 504 for providing a suitable support for the upper level of the driving chain 301. The rail 510 is fastened to the side plate 504 by a series of longitudinally spaced brackets 512.

A rail 514 is mounted parallel to and spaced inwardly of the side plate 502. It projects forwardly a substantial distance to a point just beyond the shaft 268. The rail 514 is welded to the inner ends of a series of longitudinally spaced supporting blocks 516, whose opposite ends are welded to said side plate 502. The rail 514 is mounted so that its top edge is capable of supporting the upper level of the receiving conveyor chain 201, thereby preventing its flight bars 219 from sagging below the normal level of the frying shortening in the kettle 12.

A rail 520 is mounted parallel to and spaced inwardly of the side plate 504. It projects forwardly parallel with the rail 514 to a point slightly beyond the shaft 268. The rail 520 is welded to a series of longitudinally spaced supporting brackets 522, whose opposite ends are welded to the side plate 504. The rail 520 is so mounted that its top horizontal edge is capable of forming a support for the upper level of the chain 203 of the receiving conveyor 14, thereby preventing its flight bars 219 from sagging below the normal level of the shortening in the kettle 12.

The

side plates

502 and 504 each has an upstanding metal strap 525 welded thereto, whose upper ends project above the top edges of said plates. The upper projecting ends of the straps 525 are apertured to provide means for receiving a hook of a conventional lifting chain.

A tie-bar 527 is spaced from the forward end of the rail 514 and extends forwardly in longitudinal alignment therewith. The tie-bar 527 is bolted adjustably, as indicated at 528, to a spacer 530, which, in turn, is welded to the forward end of the side plate 502. The forward or opposite end of the tie-bar 527 is bolted to a pair of spacer blocks 531, which in turn, are welded to a forwardly extending side plate 532.

A tie-bar 534 is mounted parallel to the tie-bar 527 and is similarly spaced forwardly of the rail 520 and in longitudinal alignment therewith. The tie-bar 534 is bolted adjustably, as indicated at 535, through slots 538 in the tie-bar 534 to a spacer block 536, which, in turn, is welded to the forward end of the side plate 504. The forward or opposite end of the tie-bar 534 is bolted to a pair of spacer blocks 537, which, in turn, are welded to a forwardly extending side plate 547.

There is shown in FIGURE 10 the means 539 for adjusting the side plate 504 with respect of the forward end of the tie-bar 534. A block 540 is welded to the outside surface of the tie-bar 534, and has a threaded opening therethrough for receiving a tightening bolt 541, whose rearwardly projecting end engages the front end of the spacer block 536. The tightening bolt 541 is provided A with a locking nut 542. When the shoulder bolts 535 are loosened and the tightening bolt 541 is threaded into the 10 block 540, the end of the bolt 541 will force the side plate rearwardly to take up the slack in the receiving conveyor chain 203. The locking nut 542 may now be tightened as Well as the shoulder bolts 535 to fixedly secure the position.

The adjustment means 539 between the forward end of the side plate 502 and the tie-bar 527 operate in an identical manner. The adjustment means 539 forces its side plate 502 rearwardly to take up the slack in the receiving conveyor chain 201.

The side plate 532 extends forwardly in longitudinal alignment with the side plate 502. Its rear end is welded to the outer sides of the blocks 531, whose opposite sides support the forward end of the tie-bar 527. The side plate 532 has its forward end welded to a spacer block 545, which in turn supports the rear end of the tie-bar 553.

A parallel side plate 547 is mounted on the opposite side of the machine in longitudinal alignment with the side plate 504. Its rear end is welded to the opposite sides of the pair of spacer blocks 537 and its forward end is welded to the outside of a spacer block 549.

The

side plates

532 and 547 with their transversely mounted cross-braces 546 and 548 form a rigid box-like structure to provide suitable support for the

drive shafts

215, 310 and 360, whose bearing blocks are welded to the outside surfaces thereof. Each of the

side plates

532 and 547 is provided with a suitable lifting strap 551, which is identical to the lifting straps 525.

A tie-bar 553 is adjustably mounted on the inner side of the spacer block 545 by shoulder bolts 555 and extends forwardly. The forward end of the tie-bar 553 is bgted to a pair of longitudinally spaced spacer blocks 5 Another tie-bar 561 extends forwardly from the spacer block 549 in parallel relation to the tie-bar 553, and has its forward end bolted to a longitudinally spaced pair of spacer blocks 563.

The tie-

bars

553 and 561 are provided each with

adjustable means

566 and 567, respectively, which are identical in construction and operation to the adjustable means 539 previously described and shown in FIGURE 10. The tie-

bars

553 and 561 are mounted in alignment with the upper runs of the

chains

340 and 342 of the delivery conveyor 18, respectively, and the

adjustable means

566 and 567 permit said chains to have their slack taken up when necessary.

The spacer blocks 557, which support the forward end of the tie-bar 553, have welded to their outer sides a side plate 572, whose opposite end extends forwardly.

The spacer blocks 563, which support the forward en of the tie-bar 561, have welded to their outer sides a side plate 580, whose opposite end extends forwardly.

The forward ends of the

side plates

572 and 580 are welded to a transversely extending rod 582, which with the spacer blocks 557 and 563 and the transversely ending cross-brace 583 form a rigid box-like supporting frame for mounting the

drive shafts

362 and 407, whose bearing brackets are welded to the outer surfaces of the

side plates

572 and 580. The

side plates

572 and 580 are each provided with a lifting strap 585, which are identical to the lifting straps 525 previously described.

Extending forwardly of the rod 582 connecting the forward ends of the

side plates

572 and 580 is a rigid boxlike supporting frame structure for mounting the discharge conveyor 20. The rigid frame structure consists of a pair of spaced

side plates

584 and 586 braced transversely adjacent their forward ends by cross-braces 588. The frame structure is also reinforced by longitudinally extending and transversely spaced braces 590, the outer two of such braces 590 also provide rail supports to prevent the top level of the conveyor chains 417 and 419 from sagging.

The forward ends of the

side plates

584 and 586 are each provided with

adjustable means

592 and 594 for taking up slack in the conveyor chains 417 and 419. These

adjustable means

592 and 594 are similar to and operate in the same manner as the previously described adjustment means 539, which is shown in FIGURE 10.

The

side plates

502 and 504 are each bolted on the lower ends of the vertical arms of a pair of longitudinally spaced

angular brackets

601 and 603. The horizontal arms of the

brackets

601 and 603 project outwardly over the cover plate 89 of the supporting

frame structures

32 and 34.

The side plate 532 is likewise bolted on the lower ends of the vertical arms of a pair of longitudinally spaced

angular brackets

605 and 607. Their horizontal arms project outwardly over the cover plate 89.

The side plate 572 is similarly provided with a large angular bracket 609, whose horizontal arm projects outwardly over the cover plate 89. The top of the angular bracket 609 is provided with a pair of transversely and longitudinally spaced apertures 611, which are adapted to be mounted over and receive similarly spaced upwardly projecting locating dowel pins 613. The dowel pins 613, which project upwardly from a base plate 615, which in turn is bolted, as indicated at 617, to a base plate 619. The base plate 619 is secured to the outer rail 36 by tap bolts 88, as best shown in FIGURE 7.

The dowel pins 613, together with the dowel pins of the ratchet unit 253, the dowel pins for the ratchet unit 335 and the dowel pins for the ratchet unit 382 provide means for accurately recentering the unitary removable supporting structure 500 in the frying kettle 12.

The unitary removable supporting frame structure 500, which is mounted within the frying kettle 12, is a rigid frame structure comprising three spaced box-like frame structures longitudinally connected by parallel adjustable tie-bars. The tie-bars permit adjustments to take up slack in the receiving conveyor chains and in the delivery conveyor chains, and the upper edges of such tie-bars also serve as a supporting means or rail for said chains.

The first box-like structure consists of the

side plates

502 and 504 connected transversely by the cross-braces 295 of the supporting frame structure 294 of the submerged conveyor 262. The first box-like structure provides suitable support for the transversely mounted

shafts

211 and 268.

The tie-

bars

527 and 534, which are adjustable with the

side plates

502 and 504, connect the first box-like structure to a second box-like structure, comprising the

side plates

532 and 547 suitably connected by

cross-braces

546 and 548. This second box-like structure provides a suitable support for mounting the transversely extending

shafts

215, 310 and 360.

A pair of parallel tie-

bars

553 and 561, which are ad justably connected to the forward ends of the

side plates

532 and 547 of the second box-like structure, serve to connect it with a third box-like structure, comprising the

side plates

572 and 580 and their

transversely connecting cross-braces

582 and 583. The third box-like supporting structure serves as a supporting frame structure for the transversely extending

shafts

362 and 407, as well as the forwardly extending supporting frame for the discharge conveyor 20.

THE MOUNTING FOR THE DRIVE ASSEMBLIES It will be noted in FIGURE 1 that there are three distinct

drive assembly units

253, 335 and 382, being one each for driving the receiving conveyor 14, the turnover device 16 and the delivery conveyor 18, respectively. These units are identical. The unit 382, which is best shown in detail in FIGURE 9 should be sufficient for a complete understanding of their construction.

Referring now to FIGURE 9, there is shown a base plate 84, which is mounted on the side rail 38 of the outer frame structure 32 below the cover 89. The ratchet unit assembly 382 is mouned on an H shaped mounting plate 384, having an upstanding bearing block 3 80 welded thereto.

The H-shaped mounting plate 384 provides the main base mounting of the chain coupling unit, and has longitudinally extending

adjustment slots

612 and 614 through which the fastening tap bolts 386 pass. The opposite or inner arm of the H-plate 384 is provided with a pair of longitudinally and transversely spaced dowel pins 616 and 618 projecting upwardly therefrom. The base plate 375 has correspondingly spaced apertures adapted to receive the upwardly projecting dowel pins, providing an accurate centering means for the coupling unit. A double link coupling chain 620 is adapted to fit over the

adjacent sprocket wheels

376 and 378. The ends of the chain are coupled together by a manually removable pin 622. The base plate 375 is secured tightly to the H-plate 384- by means of

pivotal clamping members

624 and 626, which are in turn secured by

winged tap bolts

628 and 630.

Referring again to FIGURE 1, it will be noted that the

side brackets

603, 605, 607 and 609 are each secured fixedly to the main supporting frame structure by means of pivotal clamping members 634, which are removably secured in a fixed position projecting over said brackets by wing tap bolts 636.

Manifestly, when the chain 620 of the chain coupling has been removed by withdrawing the fastening pin 622 and the

pivotal clamping members

624, 626 and 634 have each been loosened and swung out of locking position, the unitary removable supporting structure 500 operating within the frying kettle 12, including its conveyors, chains and turn-over device, may be lifted upwardly and removed from the frying kettle 12, as best shown diagrammatically in FIGURE 13.

MEANS FOR REMOVING THE INNER SUPPORT- ING STRUCTURE FROM THE FRYING KETTLE With commercial doughnut machines of the character described, it is always necessary to provide a fume collecting hood 680 with its

conventional smoke pipes

682 and 684 for conducting the fumes into the outside atmosphere. Such hoods 680 are usually mounted closely over the open tops of the frying kettles. Consequently, it will be necessary to raise up the hood 680 when the inner supporting structure 500 is to be raised and removed from the frying kettle 12.

There is shown in FIGURE 13 one means adapted for raising the fume collecting hood 680 and with its unitary 9 removable supporting structure 500. This means consists of a series of

cables

692 and 694, forming part of a conventional powered block and tackle unit 696 mounted on an I-beam 698 secured in any suitable manner to the ceiling of the plant in which the machine has been installed. The ends of each of the

cables

692 and 694 have two

short chains

700 and 702 attached thereto, whose opposite ends are secured to I bolts 704 threadingly mounted in the frame structure for the hood 680.

The side rails 706 of the hood 680 have a series of spaced chains 708 depending therefrom, which chains 708 are located in vertical alignment with the lifting straps 525, 551 and 585 of the inner removable supporting structure 500. The lower ends of the chains 708 are provided with hooks which are adapted to engage the apertures in said

straps

525, 551 and 585. See FIGURES 2 and 13.

It will be assumed that, before the inner supporting structure 500 is to be raised and removed from the frying kettle 12, the frying shortening contained therein will have been drained therefrom through the drain outlet 170.

When the kettle 12 has been cleaned, the cables of the block and tackle may be lowered, thereby lowering the supporting structure 500 to its normal operating position within the frying kettle 12. This can be accomplished merely by centering the supporting structure 500 on the several groups of transversely and longitudinally spaced dowel pins previously described. When the inner supporting structure 500 has been positioned over the aligning dowel means, the several pivotal clamping members may be moved into clamping position and tightened down. It will be found that the adjacent sprockets of each of the chain couplings will also have been properly positioned and in axial alignment so that their respective coupling chains may be mounted thereover and secured manually by their respective fastening pins 622.

THE OPERATION OF THE -MACHINE It is not believed to be necessary to again describe in detail the complete operation of the machine, since its basic structures are well known and understood and since the operation of its several novel features have already been fully described.

Obviously, the basic novel features of the machine involves the use of remote heating equipment with a heat transfer fluid being continuously circulated through heating coils for-med integral with the frying kettle, the mount ing of the frying kettle in a free-floating manner to permit free expansion and contraction of its metal with changes in temperature of the frying shortening, and the complete removability of the inner operating mechanism within the kettle as a unit without requiring dismantling.

Although I have shown and described in detail but one form which the invention may assume, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not to be so limited, but that various other modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a doughnut machine of the class described comprising a metal frying kettle of substantial length as compared to its width dimensions and of a substantial width as compared to its height dimensions having side flanges for suspending the same,.a receiving conveyor adjacent one end of said kettle having spaced flight bars operating on the level of its frying shortening for receiving raw dough forms deposited into said kettle and advancing them towards a turn-over device, a turn-over device for receiving the partially fried dough forms from said receiving conveyor, turning them over and delivering them to a delivery conveyor, a delivery conveyor mounted forwardly of said turn-over device having spaced flight bars operating on the level of the frying shortening for receiving the partially fried turned-over dough forms from said turn-over device and advancing them to the discharge end of said kettle, main driving means for operating said receiving conveyor, said turn-over device and said delivery conveyor, and, in combination therewith,

(1) a supporting frame structure comprising an outer frame and an inner frame,

(a) said outer frame supporting the main driving means for said receiving conveyor, said turn-over device and said delivery conveyor,

(b) said inner frame being supported :by said outer frame at longitudinally spaced intervals, and

(c) said inner frame having said frying kettle suspended therefrom by its side flanges and being free of any fixed attachment thereto.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein the inner frame comprises a series of longitudinally spaced supporting rails extending along opposite sides thereof.

3. The invention of claim 2, wherein said side flanges are integrally formed on the frying kettle and are adapted to rest on said rails to suspend the same therefrom.

4. The invention of claim 1, wherein the frying kettle is insulated from said inner frame by a series of heat insulating gaskets mounted between the top portions of said inner frame and the undersides of said side flanges.

5. In a doughnut machine of the class described comprising a metal frying kettle of substantial length as compared to its width dimensions and of a substantial width as compared to its height dimensions, a receiving conveyor adjacent one end of said kettle having spaced flight bars operating adjacent the level of its frying shortening for receiving raw dough forms deposited into said kettle and advancing them towards a turn-over device, a turn-over device for receiving the partially cooked dough forms from said receiving conveyor, turning them over and delivering them to a delivery conveyor, a delivery conveyor mounted forwardly of said turn-over deice having spaced flight bars operating adjacent the level of the frying shortening for receiving the partially cooked turned-over dough forms from said turn-over device and advancing them to the discharge end of said kettle, said frying kettle having a series of integrally formed spaced heating coils arranged in a plurality of units, and each unit has its own inlet and outlet for receiving and discharging a heat transfer fluid to be circulated therethrough.

6. The invention defined in claim 5, wherein the integrally formed spaced heating coils of each unit extend along a portion of a sidewall and over a portion of the bottom of said frying kettle.

7. The invention defined in claim 5, wherein the inlet is connected to the heating coils of each unit along the sidewalls of said frying kettle before passing through said bottom heating coils and into the outlet.

8. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said receiving conveyor, said turn-over device and said delivery conveyor are mounted on a unitary supporting structure that is removable from said frying kettle without dismantling, said unitary supporting structure comprising a series of longitudinally spaced rigid box-like structures connected by a series of transversely spaced tie-bars.

9. The invention defined in claim 8, wherein said tiebars are longitudinally adjustable.

10. In a doughnut machine of the class described, comprising a supporting frame structure having a main outer frame and an inner frame, said outer frame supporting said inner frame in spaced relation thereto, said outer frame supporting a main driving means, said inner frame supporting a metal frying kettle of substantial length as compared to its width dimensions and of substantial width as compared to its height dimensions adapted to contain a frying shortening, a unitary supporting structure adapted to be mounted removably within the shortening in said frying kettle, said supporting structure having a receiving conveyor, adjacent the receiving end of said kettle provided with spaced flight bars operating adjacent the level of the frying shortening for receiving raw dough forms deposited into said shortening and advancing them towards "a turn-over device, a turn-over for receiving the partially cooked dough forms from said receiving conveyor, turning them over and delivering them to a delivery conveyor, a delivery conveyor mounted forwardly of said turn-over device provided with spaced flight :bars operating adjacent the level of the shortening for receiving the partially cooked and turned-over dough forms from said turn-over device and advancing them to the discharge end of said kettle,

(a) a main driving means comprising separate driving units for operating said receiving conveyor, said turn-over device and said delivery conveyor mounted in spaced relation on said main outer frame structure,

(b) said unitary supporting structure having coacting driving means spaced correspondingly to said separate driving units on said outer frame structure which are readily connectable and separable whereby when separated said unitary supporting structure may be removed as a unit from said frying kettle.

11. The invention defined in claim 10 wherein the receiving conveyor has an upwardly inclined submerged conveyor mounted below its receiving end and operably connected therewith for receiving the deposited r-aw dough formsand moving them into its flight bars operating adjacent the level of the frying shortening in said kettle.

12. The invention defined in claim 10, wherein the delivery conveyor has an upwardly inclined discharge conveyor mounted forwardly of the delivery end thereof and operably connected therewith for receiving the cooked doughnuts from the delivery conveyor and removing them from the frying shortening in said kettle.

13. The invention defined in claim 10, wherein the receiving conveyor has an upwardly inclined submerged conveyor mounted below its receiving end and operably connected therewith for receiving the deposited raw dough forms and moving them upwardly into its flight bars operating adjacent the level of the frying shortening in said kettle, and wherein the delivery conveyor has an upwardly inclined discharge conveyor mounted forwardly of the delivery end thereof and operably connected therewith for receiving the cooked doughnuts from the delivery con- References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Ferry 99405 Roehl et al. 99-405 X Scharsch 99--404 Mojonnier et al. 165-469 X McBeth 99404 X Smith.

Benson et al 99-404 Munschauer et al. 100214 Roth 99-404 X Benson et al 99-406 veyor and removing them from the frying shortening in 15 BILLY J. WILHITE, Primary Examiner.

said kettle.

Claims

1. IN A DOUGHNUT MACHINE OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED COMPRISING A METAL FRYING KETTLE OF SUBSTANTIAL LENGTH AS COMPARED TO ITS WIDTH DIMENSIONS AND OF A SUBSTANTIAL WIDTH AS COMPARED TO ITS HEIGHT DIMENSIONS HAVING SIDE FLANGES FOR SUSPENDING THE SAME, A RECEIVING CONVEYOR ADJACENT ONE END OF SAID KETTLE HAVING SPACED FLIGHT BARS OPERATING ON THE LEVEL OF ITS FRYING SHORTENING FOR RECEIVING RAW DOUGH FORMS DEPOSITED INTO SAID KETTLE AND ADVANCING THEM TOWARDS A TURN-OVER DEVICE, A TURN-OVER DEVICE FOR RECEIVING THE PARTIALLY FRIED DOUGH FORMS FROM SAID RECEIVING CONVEYOR, TURNING THEM OVER AND DELIVERING THEM TO A DELIVERY CONVEYOR, A DELIVERY CONVEYOR MOUNTED FORWARDLY OF SAID TURN-OVER DEVICE HAVING SPACED FLIGHT BARS OPERATING ON THE LEVEL OF THE FRYING SHORTENING FOR RECEIVING THE PARTIALLY FRIED TURNED-OVER DOUGH FORMS FROM SAID TURN-OVER DEVICE AND ADVANCING THEM TO THE DISCHARGE END OF SAID KETTLE, MAIN DRIVING MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID RECEIVING CONVEYOR, SAID TURN-OVER DEVICE AND SAID DELIVERY CONVEYOR, AND, IN COMBINATION THEREWITH, (1) A SUPPORTING FRAME STRUCTURE COMPRISING AN OUTER FRAME AND AN INNER FRAME, (A) SAID OUTER FRAME SUPPORTING THE MAIN DRIVING MEANS FOR SAID RECEIVING CONVEYOR, SAID TURN-OVER DEVICE AND SAID DELIVERY CONVEYOR, (B) SAID INNER FRAME BEING SUPPORTED BY SAID OUTER FRAME AT LONGITUDINALLY SPACED INTERVALS, AND (C) SAID INNER FRAME HAVING SAID FRYING KETTLE SUSPENDED THEREFROM BY ITS SIDE FLANGES AND BEING FREE OF ANY FIXED ATTACHMENT THERETO.