Defrost apparatus and method thereof
AssigneeUnified Brands, Inc.
InventorsJohn W. Cantrell, Mark Churchill, Michael Licata, David Gast
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and a method of defrosting frozen items, is provided. The apparatus and method utilizes a fluid flow system and method, such as a fluid-push/pull system in which generally an entire volume of fluid is pushed or pulled through a cavity in which frozen items are located and/or a continuous motion system in which fluid is circulated within a fluid tank of the system.
Claims20
A method of defrosting items, the method comprising:
- filling a cavity with defrosting fluid;
- obtaining a first temperature reading of the defrosting fluid;
- comparing the first temperature reading to a first predetermined temperature range;
- locating a frozen item within the cavity when the first temperature reading is within the first temperature range;
- developing a flow of defrosting fluid within the cavity so as to increase heat transfer between the frozen item and the defrosting fluid;
- obtaining a second temperature reading of the defrosting fluid;
- and
- comparing the second temperature reading to a second predetermined temperature range.
The method of claim 5, wherein the new defrosting fluid has an average temperature below the maximum value of the second predetermined temperature range.
A method of defrosting items, the method comprising:
- adjusting a first temperature range;
- filling a cavity with defrosting fluid to a prescribed threshold fluid level;
- measuring a temperature of the defrosting fluid and comparing said measurement against the first temperature range;
- and
- changing the temperature of the defrosting fluid when said the temperature of the defrosting fluid is not within the first temperature range.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.