Dual-belt cooling system

A dual-belt cooling system which includes two endless metal belts and four end rolls upon which the belts are mounted one above the other with coextensive runs of the belts forming a cooling zone therebetween through which a product passes in heat-exchange relationship with both of said belts, said belt runs extending at an angle with respect to the horizontal;

• means for supporting the lower of said coextensive belt runs;
• header means for providing stepped cooling of said product, said header means comprising a plurality of cooling frames arranged in series in the direction of belt travel, each of said cooling frames including an open top structure seated above the upper of said coextensive belt runs and being in fluid sealed relationship therewith, means for discharging a liquid coolant in each of said cooling frames such that said liquid in each frame is in substantially fluid sealed relationship with said upper of said coextensive belt runs to produce cooling and a controlled pressure within each of said cooling frames such that said liquid performs the dual function of cooling said product and exerting a pressure on said upper of said coextensive belt runs so as to urge said upper run against the product, the liquid level in the second cooling frame in the series being higher than the liquid level in the first of said cooling frames in cascade fashion, and a coolant flow connection between the two cooling frames so that liquid coolant discharged from one frame is introduced into the other.