# US 10,119,743 B2 · Product cooling apparatuses > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,119,743 B2 - Document ID: US10119743B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/802,339 - Filed: 2015-07-17 - Published: 2016-01-21 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-07-18 - Assignees: Nestec S.A. - Applicants: Nestec SA - Inventors: Daniel Amsinger; John Schaaf; William Cahoon; Sam Orr; Enes Okic - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10119743B2 ## CPC - F25D 13/067: {with circulation of gaseous cooling fluid} - A23K 40/20: by moulding, e.g. making cakes or briquettes - A23K 40/25: by extrusion - A23K 50/42: Dry feed - B29C 48/04: Particle-shaped (making granules B29B9/00) - B29C 48/06: Rod-shaped - F25D 17/08: using ducts - F25D 25/04: by conveyors (in general B65G) - B29C 48/9135: {of flat articles, e.g. using specially adapted supporting means} - F25D: REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (refrigerated showcases A47F3/04; thermally-insulated vessels for domestic use A47J41/00; refrigerated vehicles, see the appropriate subclasses of classes B60 - B64; containers with thermal insulation in general B65D81/38; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants, or materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion C09K5/00; thermally-insulated vessels for liquefied or solidified gases F17C; air-conditioning or air-humidification F24F; refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25B; cooling of instruments or comparable apparatus without refrigeration G12B) - A23K: FODDER - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) ## Abstract Coolers for cooling pet food products and methods regarding same are presented. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a cooler comprising a chamber having product inlet, a product outlet and an air outlet, and at least one air duct having an exit opening so constructed and arranged for providing airflow into the product outlet. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for manufacturing a pet food product, the method comprising: transferring the pet food product to a cooling chamber having a product inlet, a product outlet, wherein the product outlet is in the shape of a rectangle having a length and a width, the length being greater than the width, an air outlet and a conveyor positioned below the product outlet, wherein the pet food product is deposited in the cooling chamber through the product inlet and accumulates in the cooling chamber and on the conveyor through the product outlet; providing airflow to the product outlet of the cooling chamber while the pet food product is settling on the conveyor, wherein the airflow travels through the pet food product exiting the product outlet and through the pet food product accumulated in the chamber; and removing the pet food product that has settled on the conveyor after the pet food product has been sufficiently cooled. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the cooling chamber further comprises an air duct having an exit opening constructed and arranged for providing the airflow into the product outlet. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein air from the air duct provides the only airflow into the product outlet. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the cooling chamber further comprises at least one panel addition attached to the air duct for directing the airflow from the exit opening of the air duct to the product outlet of the cooling chamber. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the cooling chamber further comprises at least one panel addition, wherein the panel addition is attached to the air duct and the conveyor, and wherein the panel addition and the conveyor form an air plenum for directing the airflow from the air duct to the product outlet of the cooling chamber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the air plenum is isolated from the external atmosphere. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the air duct is attached to the cooling chamber. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein air flows in a direction from the exit opening of the air duct through the product outlet to the air outlet of the cooling chamber. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the conveyer is a type selected from the group consisting of screw, drag, electromechanical vibrating and combinations thereof. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the cooling chamber comprises: a plurality of walls, wherein lower portions of the walls of the cooling chamber form the product outlet; and an air duct having an exit opening constructed and arranged for providing the airflow into the product outlet. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the air duct and the conveyor form an air plenum for directing the airflow from the air duct to the product outlet of the cooling chamber. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the air duct is constructed and arranged for providing the airflow along the entire length and width of the product outlet into the product outlet. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of the lower portions of the walls angles inwardly to the product outlet. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the cooling chamber comprises an air duct having an exit opening constructed and arranged for providing the airflow into the product outlet, wherein the air duct and the conveyor form an air plenum for directing the airflow from the air duct to the product outlet of the cooling chamber. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the air plenum is isolated from the external atmosphere. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the cooling chamber comprises a plurality of walls, wherein lower portions of the walls of the cooling chamber form the product outlet, wherein two opposing lower portions of the walls of the cooling chamber taper inwardly to the product outlet, wherein the cooling chamber further comprises an air duct having an exit opening constructed and arranged for providing the airflow into the product outlet; and the cooling chamber further comprises at least one panel addition attached to the air duct for directing the airflow from the exit opening of the air duct to the product outlet of the chamber, wherein air from the air duct provides the only airflow into the product outlet. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the panel addition and the conveyor form an air plenum for directing airflow from the air duct to the product outlet of the cooling chamber.