Dual apparatus and process for quick freezing and/or freeze drying produce
US7370436B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 9, 2001 |
| Grant date | May 13, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 2, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF26B5/06
- WIPO fieldFood chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus capable of performing consecutively, independently and/or simultaneously the processes of quick freezing and/or freeze drying of produce. The apparatus is characterized by a central vacuum system operating over one or more independent vacuum chambers (10,11,12,13,14); said vacuum system being composed of at least two vacuum subsystems (40,50), connected to the chambers by means of independent manifolds (400,500). One vacuum subsystem (40) evacuates air from any of the chambers from atmospheric pressure to a pressure slightly above that of the triple point of water, and the other vacuum subsystem (50) further quickly evacuates any of the chambers from said pressure slightly above the triple point of water to the pressure corresponding to the thermodynamic equilibrium of ice and water vapor at a desired freezing temperature, in a desired freezing time.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.