Immersion Freezer With Bottom Chamber Series Of Cascading Conveyor Belts
US Patent:
56303270, May 20, 1997
Filed:
Mar 5, 1996
Appl. No.:
8/611317
Inventors:
Edward F. Kiczek - Long Valley NJ Donald J. Ehnot - Coopersburg PA Richard Reider - Allentown PA Brian Sink - Orland Park IL
Assignee:
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. - Allentown PA
International Classification:
F25D 1702
US Classification:
62374
Abstract:
The present invention is an immersion freezer which employs a postcooling chamber. The immersion section of the freezer initially immerses all or part of the items to be frozen (typically food items) in a bath of a liquid refrigerant to impart a crust freeze on the items, which locks in moisture and prevents clumping. The postcooling chamber, located underneath the immersion section, then uses the vaporized refrigerant from the immersion section to complete the freezing process while also maximizing efficiency. The postcooling chamber also imparts agitation to the items (which further prevents clumping) through the use of a series of cascading conveyor belts.
