Method and apparatus for simultaneously cooling and conveying a food substance

US4569204A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• AGA AB · SE

Inventors

• Lesley E. Ott · Lorain, US
• William H. Cork · Lake Bluff, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 11, 1985
• Grant date: Feb 11, 1986
• Expiry date: Mar 11, 2005

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F25D3/11
• WIPO field: Food chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for rapidly and efficiently cooling a flow of a food substance such as ground chicken meat while simultaneously conveying the food substance along a relatively short, upwardly inclined travel path that is defined by an inner chamber of an elongate housing assembly. A power driven auger extends along the travel path and is journaled by the housing assembly for rotation within the inner chamber. An inlet hopper is provided for introducing a flow of relatively warm food substance into a lower end region of the inner chamber. A discharge spout is provided for discharging a cooled flow of the food substance from an upper end region of the inner chamber. Cooling of the food substance as it is conveyed along the travel path is effected by providing the housing assembly with a refrigerant chamber that surrounds but is segregated from the inner chamber. Liquid cryogen is introduced into the refrigerant chamber and evaporates to form a gas as it serves to indirectly cool the food substance flow that is being fed through the inner chamber. The temperature of the discharging food substance is maintained within desired limits by monitoring the temperature of …