Temperature controlled food processing apparatus and method

A method for processing a multiplicity of integral food pieces comprising:

• feeding the food pieces into a rotatable container structure having an interior with a fin structure exhibiting a predetermined surface area mounted therein to effect movement of food pieces at least in part along an axis of rotation of the container structure when the container structure is rotated about the axis of rotation;
• rotating the container structure about the axis of rotation such that said rotation causes the fin structure to draw the food pieces into contact with each other and to move the food pieces in substantially continuous fashion throughout the interior of the container structure;
• and
• introducing a temperature-controlling fluid into contact with at least the fin structure to effect heat transfer between the fin structure surface area and the food pieces without direct contact between the food pieces and said temperature-controlling fluid, thereby controlling the temperature of the food processing operation.

An apparatus for processing materials, said apparatus comprising:

• a container structure having an interior into which said materials to be processed can be inserted;
• a frame structure which supports said container structure for rotation about an axis;
• drive means for rotating said container structure in said frame structure about said axis;
• structural means disposed in said interior of said container structure for imparting movement to the materials, said movement having at least one component parallel to said axis when said drive means rotates said container structure, said structural means exhibiting a predetermined surface area;
• and
• temperature control means for adjusting the temperature in said interior of said container structure to control the temperature of the material processing operation, said temperature control means including a fluid supply means for bringing a temperature-controlling fluid into heat-transfer contact with at least a portion of said surface area of said structural means such that heat transfer occurs between the materials and said temperature-controlling fluid without direct contact between said temperature-controlling fluid and the materials.