Apparatus for thawing, handling and reheating sealed frozen food packets
US4619191A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 22, 1984 |
| Grant date | Oct 28, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 22, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G51/01
- WIPO fieldFood chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus for heating or cooling sealed food pouches, another apparatus for moving the same and a third apparatus adapted to transfer the pouches are disclosed. The three apparatuses are designed to function as an integrated food pouch handling system, but may also be used separately. The first apparatus consists of a large bath partially filled with circulating hot or cold liquid, following a course in which whirlpools are created. The food pouches are placed in the bath and are carried by the moving liquid until they have attained the desired temperature. The second apparatus consists of a conveyor mounted on a cart. The conveyor is tiltable so that one end thereof can be placed in the bath to automatically retrieve the food pouches. The third apparatus is a large vat to receive the food pouches placed therein by the conveyor. The vat is rotatable about its vertical axis, being mounted on a base provided with wheels whereby the vat can be pushed to transfer the food pouches to another location in a large capacity kitchen.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.