# US 10,309,710 B2 · Configurable spiral freezer

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,309,710 B2
- Document ID: US10309710B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/962,346
- Filed: 2018-04-25
- Published: 2018-08-23
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2016-12-22
- Assignees: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
- Applicants: Michael D. Newman; Stephen McCormick
- Inventors: Michael D. Newman; Stephen McCormick
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309710B2

## CPC

- F25D 3/11: with conveyors carrying articles to be cooled through the cooling space
- B65G 21/18: in three-dimensionally curved paths
- F25D 13/067: {with circulation of gaseous cooling fluid}
- F25D 17/06: by forced circulation
- F25D 2317/0682: Two or more fans
- 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)
- B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D)

## Abstract

A reconfigurable freezer includes a housing having an internal space therein, and first and second openings each in communication with the internal space; an infeed assembly and an outfeed assembly, the infeed assembly constructed to be removably mounted to the housing at one of at the first and second openings for being in communication with the internal space, and the outfeed assembly constructed to be removably mounted to another of the first and second openings for being in communication with the internal space, wherein the infeed and outfeed assemblies are interchangeable at the first and second openings; a conveyor belt transiting the internal space from the infeed assembly to the outfeed assembly; and a drum disposed at the internal space for supporting movement of the conveyor belt about the drum between the infeed and outfeed assemblies.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A reconfigurable freezer, comprising:
a housing having an internal space therein, and first and second openings each in communication with said internal space;
an infeed assembly and an ouffeed assembly, the infeed assembly constructed to be removably mounted to the housing at one of at the first and second openings for being in communication with said internal space, and the ouffeed assembly constructed to be removably mounted to another of the first and second openings for being in communication with said internal space, wherein the infeed and ouffeed assemblies are interchangeable at the first and second openings;
a conveyor belt transiting the internal space from the infeed assembly to the outfeed assembly; and
a drum disposed at the internal space for supporting movement of the conveyor belt about the drum between the infeed and outfeed assemblies;
wherein the outfeed assembly comprises:
an outfeed plenum through which the conveyor belt exits the internal space of the housing,
a belt drive apparatus operatively associated with the outfeed plenum and in operable contact with the conveyor belt, and
a drive motor operatively connected to and driving the belt drive apparatus and moving the conveyor belt between the infeed and outfeed assemblies and around the drum.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The freezer of claim 1, wherein a surface area at the internal space of the housing is octagonally-shaped.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The freezer of claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the housing viewed from above said housing is octagonally-shaped.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The freezer of claim 1, wherein the infeed assembly and the outfeed assembly are at opposed sides of the housing.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The freezer of claim 1, wherein the infeed assembly and the outfeed assembly are at a same side of the housing.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The freezer of claim 1, wherein the infeed assembly and the outfeed assembly are disposed at the housing ninety degrees (90°) from each other.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The freezer of claim 1, further comprising doors operable at a sidewall of the housing for providing access to the internal space.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The freezer of claim 1, further comprising at least one blower disposed at the internal space for providing a gas flow across the conveyor belt within the internal space.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The freezer of claim 8, wherein the housing comprises at least one region disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the internal space for containing the at least one blower.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The freezer of claim 1, further comprising:
a first compartment and a second compartment disposed at different sides of the housing, each of the first and second compartments in fluid communication with the internal space; and
at least one first blower disposed in the first compartment, and at least one second blower disposed in the second compartment, the at least one first and second blowers facing the conveyor belt for providing first and second gas flows across said conveyor belt.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The freezer of claim 1, wherein the infeed assembly comprises an infeed plenum through which the conveyor belt is directed to the drum.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The freezer of claim 11, wherein the infeed plenum comprises an infeed exhaust in fluid communication with an interior of said infeed plenum.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The freezer of claim 11, wherein the infeed plenum comprises an infeed panel mounted thereto for being positioned to removably cover at least one of the first and second openings external to the infeed plenum.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The freezer of claim 1, wherein the outfeed plenum comprises an outfeed exhaust in fluid communication with an interior of said outfeed plenum.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The freezer of claim 14, wherein the belt drive apparatus comprises a belt tensioner for maintaining a select amount of tension on the conveyor belt.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The freezer of claim 1, wherein the outfeed assembly comprises an outfeed plenum surface sized and shaped for being removably mounted to cover at least one of the first and second openings.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The freezer of claim 15, wherein the outfeed plenum, the belt drive apparatus, the drive motor, the outfeed exhaust and the belt tensioner are formed as an integral unit.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The freezer of claim 1, further comprising:
a first compartment and a second compartment disposed at different sides of the housing, each of the first and second compartments in fluid communication with the internal space; and
at least one blower disposed in the first compartment, said second compartment providing a return space for a gas flow to the first compartment.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The freezer of claim 18, wherein the at least one blower is positioned to exhaust a gas flow transverse to a direction of movement of the conveyor belt.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

The freezer of claim 18, wherein the at least one blower is positioned to exhaust a gas flow in a direction similar to another direction of movement of the conveyor belt.

### Claim 21 (depends on 18)

The freezer of claim 18, further comprising at least one other blower disposed in the second compartment, said first compartment providing another return space for another gas flow from the second compartment.

### Claim 22 (depends on 1)

The freezer of claim 1, further comprising mechanical fasteners at the housing and the infeed and outfeed assemblies for removably mounting said assemblies to said housing.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The freezer of claim 22, wherein the mechanical fasteners are selected from the group consisting of bolts, adaptor plates, locking nuts, and releasable latches.

### Claim 24 (depends on 1)

The freezer of claim 1, further comprising an upper baffle disposed above a top belt tier of the conveyor belt, and a lower baffle disposed beneath a lower belt tier of the conveyor belt, the upper and lower baffles directing gas flow toward the conveyor belt.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The freezer of claim 24, wherein each one of the upper and lower baffles comprises a pair of baffle plates at opposed sides of the drum.

### Claim 26 (depends on 1)

The freezer of claim 1, wherein the conveyor belt at the infeed assembly is positioned at a first elevation with respect to the drum, and the conveyor belt at the outfeed assembly is positioned at a second elevation higher than the first elevation with respect to the drum.

### Claim 27 (depends on 1)

The freezer of claim 1, wherein the conveyor belt at the infeed assembly is positioned at a first elevation with respect to the drum, and the conveyor belt at the outfeed assembly is positioned at a second elevation lower than the first elevation with respect to the drum.

### Claim 28

A reconfigurable freezer, comprising:
a housing having an internal space therein, and first and second openings each in communication with said internal space;
an infeed assembly and an outfeed assembly, the infeed assembly constructed to be removably mounted to the housing at one of at the first and second openings for being in communication with said internal space, and the outfeed assembly constructed to be removably mounted to another of the first and second openings for being in communication with said internal space, wherein the infeed and outfeed assemblies are interchangeable at the first and second openings;
a conveyor belt transiting the internal space from the infeed assembly to the outfeed assembly;
a drum disposed at the internal space for supporting movement of the conveyor belt about the drum between the infeed and outfeed assemblies;
a first compartment and a second compartment disposed at different sides of the housing, each of the first and second compartments in fluid communication with the internal space; and
at least one blower disposed in the first compartment, said second compartment providing a return space for a gas flow to the first compartment.

### Claim 29 (depends on 28)

The freezer of claim 28, wherein a surface area at the internal space of the housing is octagonally-shaped.

### Claim 30 (depends on 28)

The freezer of claim 28, wherein a cross-section of the housing viewed from above said housing is octagonally-shaped.

### Claim 31 (depends on 28)

The freezer of claim 28, wherein the infeed assembly and the outfeed assembly are at opposed sides of the housing.

### Claim 32 (depends on 28)

The freezer of claim 28, wherein the infeed assembly and the outfeed assembly are at a same side of the housing.

### Claim 33 (depends on 28)

The freezer of claim 28, wherein the infeed assembly and the outfeed assembly are disposed at the housing ninety degrees (90°) from each other.

### Claim 34 (depends on 28)

The freezer of claim 28, further comprising doors operable at a sidewall of the housing for providing access to the internal space.

### Claim 35 (depends on 28)

The freezer of claim 28, further comprising at least one blower disposed at the internal space for providing a gas flow across the conveyor belt within the internal space.

### Claim 36 (depends on 35)

The freezer of claim 35, wherein the housing comprises at least one region disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the internal space for containing the at least one blower.

### Claim 37 (depends on 28)

The freezer of claim 28, further comprising:
a first compartment and a second compartment disposed at different sides of the housing, each of the first and second compartments in fluid communication with the internal space; and
at least one first blower disposed in the first compartment, and at least one second blower disposed in the second compartment, the at least one first and second blowers facing the conveyor belt for providing first and second gas flows across said conveyor belt.

### Claim 38 (depends on 28)

The freezer of claim 28, wherein the infeed assembly comprises an infeed plenum through which the conveyor belt is directed to the drum.

### Claim 39 (depends on 38)

The freezer of claim 38, wherein the infeed plenum comprises an infeed exhaust in fluid communication with an interior of said infeed plenum.

### Claim 40 (depends on 38)

The freezer of claim 38, wherein the infeed plenum comprises an infeed panel mounted thereto for being positioned to removably cover at least one of the first and second openings external to the infeed plenum.

### Claim 41 (depends on 28)

The freezer of claim 28, wherein the outfeed assembly comprises:
an outfeed plenum through which the conveyor belt exits the internal space of the housing;
a belt drive apparatus operatively associated with the outfeed plenum and in operable contact with the conveyor belt; and
a drive motor operatively connected to and driving the belt drive apparatus and moving the conveyor belt between the infeed and outfeed assemblies and around the drum.

### Claim 42 (depends on 41)

The freezer of claim 41, wherein the outfeed plenum comprises an outfeed exhaust in fluid communication with an interior of said outfeed plenum.

### Claim 43 (depends on 42)

The freezer of claim 42, wherein the belt drive apparatus comprises a belt tensioner for maintaining a select amount of tension on the conveyor belt.

### Claim 44 (depends on 41)

The freezer of claim 41, wherein the outfeed assembly comprises an outfeed plenum surface sized and shaped for being removably mounted to cover at least one of the first and second openings.

### Claim 45 (depends on 43)

The freezer of claim 43, wherein the outfeed plenum, the belt drive apparatus, the drive motor, the outfeed exhaust and the belt tensioner are formed as an integral unit.

### Claim 46 (depends on 28)

The freezer of claim 28, wherein the at least one blower is positioned to exhaust a gas flow transverse to a direction of movement of the conveyor belt.

### Claim 47 (depends on 28)

The freezer of claim 28, wherein the at least one blower is positioned to exhaust a gas flow in a direction similar to another direction of movement of the conveyor belt.

### Claim 48 (depends on 28)

The freezer of claim 28, further comprising at least one other blower disposed in the second compartment, said first compartment providing another return space for another gas flow from the second compartment.

### Claim 49 (depends on 28)

The freezer of claim 28, further comprising mechanical fasteners at the housing and the infeed and outfeed assemblies for removably mounting said assemblies to said housing.

### Claim 50 (depends on 49)

The freezer of claim 49, wherein the mechanical fasteners are selected from the group consisting of bolts, adaptor plates, locking nuts, and releasable latches.

### Claim 51 (depends on 28)

The freezer of claim 28, further comprising an upper baffle disposed above a top belt tier of the conveyor belt, and a lower baffle disposed beneath a lower belt tier of the conveyor belt, the upper and lower baffles directing gas flow toward the conveyor belt.

### Claim 52 (depends on 51)

The freezer of claim 51, wherein each one of the upper and lower baffles comprises a pair of baffle plates at opposed sides of the drum.

### Claim 53 (depends on 28)

The freezer of claim 28, wherein the conveyor belt at the infeed assembly is positioned at a first elevation with respect to the drum, and the conveyor belt at the outfeed assembly is positioned at a second elevation higher than the first elevation with respect to the drum.

### Claim 54 (depends on 28)

The freezer of claim 28, wherein the conveyor belt at the infeed assembly is positioned at a first elevation with respect to the drum, and the conveyor belt at the outfeed assembly is positioned at a second elevation lower than the first elevation with respect to the drum.

### Claim 55

A reconfigurable freezer, comprising:
a housing having an internal space therein, and first and second openings each in communication with said internal space;
an infeed assembly and an outfeed assembly, the infeed assembly constructed to be removably mounted to the housing at one of at the first and second openings for being in communication with said internal space, and the outfeed assembly constructed to be removably mounted to another of the first and second openings for being in communication with said internal space, wherein the infeed and outfeed assemblies are interchangeable at the first and second openings;
a conveyor belt transiting the internal space from the infeed assembly to the outfeed assembly;
a drum disposed at the internal space for supporting movement of the conveyor belt about the drum between the infeed and outfeed assemblies;
an upper baffle disposed above a top belt tier of the conveyor belt, and a lower baffle disposed beneath a lower belt tier of the conveyor belt, the upper and lower baffles directing gas flow toward the conveyor belt.

### Claim 56 (depends on 55)

The freezer of claim 55, wherein a surface area at the internal space of the housing is octagonally-shaped.

### Claim 57 (depends on 55)

The freezer of claim 55, wherein a cross-section of the housing viewed from above said housing is octagonally-shaped.

### Claim 58 (depends on 55)

The freezer of claim 55, wherein the infeed assembly and the outfeed assembly are at opposed sides of the housing.

### Claim 59 (depends on 55)

The freezer of claim 55, wherein the infeed assembly and the outfeed assembly are at a same side of the housing.

### Claim 60 (depends on 55)

The freezer of claim 55, wherein the infeed assembly and the outfeed assembly are disposed at the housing ninety degrees (90°) from each other.

### Claim 61 (depends on 55)

The freezer of claim 55, further comprising doors operable at a sidewall of the housing for providing access to the internal space.

### Claim 62 (depends on 55)

The freezer of claim 55, further comprising at least one blower disposed at the internal space for providing a gas flow across the conveyor belt within the internal space.

### Claim 63 (depends on 62)

The freezer of claim 62, wherein the housing comprises at least one region disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the internal space for containing the at least one blower.

### Claim 64 (depends on 55)

The freezer of claim 55, further comprising:
a first compartment and a second compartment disposed at different sides of the housing, each of the first and second compartments in fluid communication with the internal space; and
at least one first blower disposed in the first compartment, and at least one second blower disposed in the second compartment, the at least one first and second blowers facing the conveyor belt for providing first and second gas flows across said conveyor belt.

### Claim 65 (depends on 55)

The freezer of claim 55, wherein the infeed assembly comprises an infeed plenum through which the conveyor belt is directed to the drum.

### Claim 66 (depends on 65)

The freezer of claim 65, wherein the infeed plenum comprises an infeed exhaust in fluid communication with an interior of said infeed plenum.

### Claim 67 (depends on 65)

The freezer of claim 65, wherein the infeed plenum comprises an infeed panel mounted thereto for being positioned to removably cover at least one of the first and second openings external to the infeed plenum.

### Claim 68 (depends on 55)

The freezer of claim 55, wherein the outfeed assembly comprises:
an outfeed plenum through which the conveyor belt exits the internal space of the housing;
a belt drive apparatus operatively associated with the outfeed plenum and in operable contact with the conveyor belt; and
a drive motor operatively connected to and driving the belt drive apparatus and moving the conveyor belt between the infeed and outfeed assemblies and around the drum.

### Claim 69 (depends on 68)

The freezer of claim 68, wherein the outfeed plenum comprises an outfeed exhaust in fluid communication with an interior of said outfeed plenum.

### Claim 70 (depends on 69)

The freezer of claim 69, wherein the belt drive apparatus comprises a belt tensioner for maintaining a select amount of tension on the conveyor belt.

### Claim 71 (depends on 68)

The freezer of claim 68, wherein the outfeed assembly comprises an outfeed plenum surface sized and shaped for being removably mounted to cover at least one of the first and second openings.

### Claim 72 (depends on 70)

The freezer of claim 70, wherein the outfeed plenum, the belt drive apparatus, the drive motor, the outfeed exhaust and the belt tensioner are formed as an integral unit.

### Claim 73 (depends on 55)

The freezer of claim 55, further comprising:
a first compartment and a second compartment disposed at different sides of the housing, each of the first and second compartments in fluid communication with the internal space; and
at least one blower disposed in the first compartment, said second compartment providing a return space for a gas flow to the first compartment.

### Claim 74 (depends on 73)

The freezer of claim 73, wherein the at least one blower is positioned to exhaust a gas flow transverse to a direction of movement of the conveyor belt.

### Claim 75 (depends on 73)

The freezer of claim 73, wherein the at least one blower is positioned to exhaust a gas flow in a direction similar to another direction of movement of the conveyor belt.

### Claim 76 (depends on 73)

The freezer of claim 73, further comprising at least one other blower disposed in the second compartment, said first compartment providing another return space for another gas flow from the second compartment.

### Claim 77 (depends on 55)

The freezer of claim 55, further comprising mechanical fasteners at the housing and the infeed and outfeed assemblies for removably mounting said assemblies to said housing.

### Claim 78 (depends on 77)

The freezer of claim 77, wherein the mechanical fasteners are selected from the group consisting of bolts, adaptor plates, locking nuts, and releasable latches.

### Claim 79 (depends on 55)

The freezer of claim 55, wherein each one of the upper and lower baffles comprises a pair of baffle plates at opposed sides of the drum.

### Claim 80 (depends on 55)

The freezer of claim 55, wherein the conveyor belt at the infeed assembly is positioned at a first elevation with respect to the drum, and the conveyor belt at the outfeed assembly is positioned at a second elevation higher than the first elevation with respect to the drum.

### Claim 81 (depends on 55)

The freezer of claim 55, wherein the conveyor belt at the infeed assembly is positioned at a first elevation with respect to the drum, and the conveyor belt at the outfeed assembly is positioned at a second elevation lower than the first elevation with respect to the drum.