Cryogenic processor for liquid feed preparation of a free-flowing frozen product
US6209329A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 17, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 3, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 17, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25C1/00
- WIPO fieldFood chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The cryogenic processor comprises a tray or multiple trays that receives liquid feed composition from a delivery source. A plurality of orifices or combination of orifices and feed droppers, hereinafter feed assembly, associated with the tray are specifically arranged and adapted for discharging uniformly sized droplets of the liquid composition from the tray. In a key aspect of the improvement, a regulated flow of ambient air is provided to the feed assembly by a venturi assembly or other source of partial vacuum. The vacuum assembly allows ambient air to be pulled into the cryogenic processor and across the feed assembly which prevents liquid composition from freezing and accumulating in the flow channels of the feed assembly, thus allowing continuous formation of uniformly sized beads. Adjustable door inlets are also adapted and arranged as a means to control the flow of incoming ambient air, as well as the flow of outgoing gaseous refrigerant. Further, a filter is provided at the air inlet so that the ambient air is filtered to remove any microbiological contaminants before introducing the ambient air to the region of the feed tray. In accordance with another embodiment and asp…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.