Food freezing tunnel
AssigneeThe BOC Group, Inc.
InventorMalcolm L. Stokes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A food freezing tunnel has a trough member and a roof member. In order to gain access to the interior of the tunnel, for example for purposes of cleaning the tunnel, the trough member is able to be raised and lowered. Jack means housed in the respective legs of the tunnel are driven by for example an electric motor to lower and raise the tunnel. The trough has counterweights. Typically the jack includes a rotary screw-threaded shaft which carry a nut connected to a chain which travels over pulleys and which is secured to the trough member.
Claims7
Apparatus suitable for freezing food, comprising a tunnel defined by a trough member and a separate roof member;
- a conveyor extending through the tunnel from its entrance to its exit and having an upper run and a lower run;
- means for introducing liquefied gas into the tunnel;
- means for creating in the tunnel turbulence in cold gas formed as a result of vaporisation of the liquefied gas;
- at least one mechanical means for raising and lowering the trough member between an upper position in which the trough member engages the roof member and a lower position in which the trough member is spaced from the roof member, said mechanical means having a single or common drive, said trough member having counterweights, and the trough and roof members being adapted to engage one another at a level above that of the upper conveyor run.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.