Freeze tunnel and methods of use
AssigneeConAgra Foods Lamb Weston, Inc.
InventorsWilliam Thomas Hockett, Frederick D. Webb, Michael Christopher Metcalf, Robert Joseph Lane
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A freeze tunnel can have a conveyor configured to move food product from a first end to a second end. At least one first cooling unit and at least one first fan can be positioned on the first side of the conveyor, and at least one second cooling unit and at least one second fan can be positioned on the second side of the conveyor. The fans can cooperate to circulate air inside the freeze tunnel in two opposite rotational directions.
Claims21
A freeze tunnel comprising:
- a first end and a second end;
- a conveyor configured to move a plurality of individual pieces of food product from the first end to the second end, the conveyor having a first side and a second side;
- at least one first cooling unit and at least one first fan positioned on the first side of the conveyor;
- and
- at least one second cooling unit and at least one second fan positioned on the second side of the conveyor,
- wherein the at least one first and the at least one second cooling units are not vertically aligned with the conveyor, and the at least one first and second fan cooperate to circulate air inside the freeze tunnel in two opposite rotational directions.
A method of freezing individual pieces of food product, the method comprising:
- advancing the food product into a freeze tunnel on a conveyor;
- providing a first cooling unit on a first side of the conveyor and a second cooling unit on a second side of the conveyor;
- circulating air through the first cooling unit and towards the conveyor in a first air flow pattern;
- and
- circulating air through the second cooling unit and towards the conveyor in a second air flow pattern,
- wherein the first and second air flow patterns are rotationally opposite from one another.
A freeze tunnel having a first longitudinal half and a second longitudinal half extending the length of the freeze tunnel, the freeze tunnel comprising:
- a transport means for moving food product through the freeze tunnel, the transport means having a portion in the first longitudinal half and a portion in the second longitudinal half of the freeze tunnel;
- a first cooling means for reducing the temperature in the freeze tunnel, the first cooling means being positioned in the first longitudinal half;
- a second cooling means for reducing the temperature in the freeze tunnel, the second cooling means being positioned in the second longitudinal half;
- a first air flow means for causing a first air flow pattern in the first longitudinal half;
- and
- a second air flow means for causing a second air flow pattern in the second longitudinal half;
- wherein the first and second air flow patterns are in rotationally opposite directions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.