Immersion freezer with bottom chamber series of cascading conveyor belts
US5630327A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 5, 1996 |
| Grant date | May 20, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 5, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25D3/11
- WIPO fieldFood chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.