WO1988010072A1 - Method and apparatus for freezing - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for freezing Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1988010072A1
WO1988010072A1 PCT/SE1988/000342 SE8800342W WO8810072A1 WO 1988010072 A1 WO1988010072 A1 WO 1988010072A1 SE 8800342 W SE8800342 W SE 8800342W WO 8810072 A1 WO8810072 A1 WO 8810072A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
carbon dioxide
belt
dioxide snow
products
bed
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE1988/000342
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Lars Eek
Lennart Olsson
Original Assignee
Frigoscandia Contracting Ab
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Frigoscandia Contracting Ab filed Critical Frigoscandia Contracting Ab
Publication of WO1988010072A1 publication Critical patent/WO1988010072A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
    • A23L3/00—Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general, e.g. pasteurising, sterilising, specially adapted for foods or foodstuffs
    • A23L3/36—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling
    • A23L3/361—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling the materials being transported through or in the apparatus, with or without shaping, e.g. in form of powder, granules, or flakes
    • A23L3/362—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling the materials being transported through or in the apparatus, with or without shaping, e.g. in form of powder, granules, or flakes with packages or with shaping in form of blocks or portions

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for freezing the surface of one side of pro ⁇ ducts to be individually frozen.
  • the object of the present invention is to offer a freezing technique which requires less space and is more gentle on products which have a loose or moist surface and should be frozen individually.
  • indi ⁇ vidual freezing of such products it has not been pos ⁇ sible hitherto to use freezers with a foraminous con ⁇ veyor belt since the products will freeze onto the belt or receive impressions from it.
  • freezers e.g. helical freezers, are otherwise advantageous, i.a. because they require little space.
  • the above-mentioned object is achieved in a method for freezing the sur- face of one side of products to be individually frozen, in that the products are placed on a movable layer of carbon dioxide snow and are entrained by said layer for a period of time required for said surface freez ⁇ ing.
  • the layer of carbon dioxide snow is suitably formed by and above a foraminous conveyor belt movable in a bed of carbon dioxide snow.
  • the above- mentioned object is achieved by means of a tank for a bed of carbon dioxide snow, and a belt conveyor hav ⁇ ing a foraminous conveyor belt which along part of its path is run through the upper portion of said bed so as to produce a movable layer of carbon dioxide snow on which the products can be placed for contacting the layer of carbon dioxide snow for a period of time re ⁇ quired for said surface freezing.
  • the tank is suitably trough-shaped, and the belt conveyor has a first terminal roller at one end of the tank, in which end said bed of carbon dioxide snow is located.
  • the belt conveyor may further have a second terminal roller at a second end of the tank, such that the con ⁇ veyor belt defines an upper path along which the pro- ducts are conveyed on the belt, and a lower path where the belt adjacent the first terminal roller entrains carbon dioxide snow towards this roller.
  • the bed of carbon dioxide snow suitably extends only along part of the upper path of the belt, coun - ing from the first terminal roller.
  • a nozzle For supplying carbon dioxide snow to the bed ac ⁇ cording as the carbon dioxide snow therein is consumed, a nozzle may be provided in at least one side wall of the tank.
  • the prefreezer shown in the drawing consists more specifically of a tank 1 in which a belt conveyor hav ⁇ ing two terminal rollers 2, 3 and a foraminous conveyor belt 4 is mounted. At the end with the terminal roller 2, the tank 1 is filled with a bed 5 of carbon dioxide snow.
  • the conveyor belt 4 is moving in the direc ⁇ tion of the arrows, the carbon dioxide snow in the bed 5 will form a thin planar layer 6 over the upper part of the conveyor belt 4 adjacent the terminal roller 2.
  • a nozzle 7 is provided in at least one of the walls of the tank 1.
  • the pro- ducts 8 After the surface of the bottom side of the pro- ducts 8 has been frozen and the products have left the layer 6, they are conveyed in direct contact with the conveyor belt 4 up to the terminal roller 3, whence they can be transferred in any suitable manner to a final freezer, e.g. a helical freezer having a like- wise foraminous conveyor belt.
  • a final freezer e.g. a helical freezer having a like- wise foraminous conveyor belt.
  • prefreezer is a most compact unit that can be combined with any final freezer for the products, and that it ensures in a very quick and gentle way, freezing of the surface of the bottom sides of the pro ⁇ ducts. Final freezing can also be effected on the part of the belt 4 where there is no layer 6 of carbon di ⁇ oxide snow.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Nutrition Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

In a method for freezing the surface of one side of products (8) to be individually frozen, the products are placed on a movable layer (6) of carbon dioxide snow and entrained by this layer for a period of time required for performing surface freezing. An apparatus for carrying out the method has a tank (1) for a bed (5) of carbon dioxide snow, and a belt conveyor (2-4) with a foraminous conveyor belt (4) which along part of its path is run through the upper portion of the bed so as to form the movable layer (6) of carbon dioxide snow.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FREEZING
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for freezing the surface of one side of pro¬ ducts to be individually frozen.
For the individual freezing of products having a loose or moist surface, use is traditionally made of a belt conveyor in which the conveyor belt is a smooth steel belt conveying the products through a long freez¬ ing tunnel. When travelling through the freezing tunnel, the products will freeze onto the steel belt and when leaving the tunnel, thus must be scraped off from the steel belt. Thus, such freezing technique requires much space and is not gentle on the products.
The object of the present invention is to offer a freezing technique which requires less space and is more gentle on products which have a loose or moist surface and should be frozen individually. In the indi¬ vidual freezing of such products, it has not been pos¬ sible hitherto to use freezers with a foraminous con¬ veyor belt since the products will freeze onto the belt or receive impressions from it. Such freezers, e.g. helical freezers, are otherwise advantageous, i.a. because they require little space.
According to the invention, the above-mentioned object is achieved in a method for freezing the sur- face of one side of products to be individually frozen, in that the products are placed on a movable layer of carbon dioxide snow and are entrained by said layer for a period of time required for said surface freez¬ ing. The layer of carbon dioxide snow is suitably formed by and above a foraminous conveyor belt movable in a bed of carbon dioxide snow.
In an apparatus for freezing the surface of one side of products to be individually frozen, the above- mentioned object is achieved by means of a tank for a bed of carbon dioxide snow, and a belt conveyor hav¬ ing a foraminous conveyor belt which along part of its path is run through the upper portion of said bed so as to produce a movable layer of carbon dioxide snow on which the products can be placed for contacting the layer of carbon dioxide snow for a period of time re¬ quired for said surface freezing.
The tank is suitably trough-shaped, and the belt conveyor has a first terminal roller at one end of the tank, in which end said bed of carbon dioxide snow is located.
The belt conveyor may further have a second terminal roller at a second end of the tank, such that the con¬ veyor belt defines an upper path along which the pro- ducts are conveyed on the belt, and a lower path where the belt adjacent the first terminal roller entrains carbon dioxide snow towards this roller.
The bed of carbon dioxide snow suitably extends only along part of the upper path of the belt, coun - ing from the first terminal roller.
For supplying carbon dioxide snow to the bed ac¬ cording as the carbon dioxide snow therein is consumed, a nozzle may be provided in at least one side wall of the tank. By the method and the apparatus according to the invention, there is thus achieved quick and gentle freezing of the surface of the lower side of the pro¬ ducts which can thereafter be placed on the conveyor belt of e.g. a helical freezer having a foraminous conveyor belt to effect final freezing therein without the products freezing onto the conveyor belt of the final freezer or receiving impressions from it.
One embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention will now be described in more detail hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying draw¬ ing schematically showing a longitudinal section of a prefreezer according to the invention. The prefreezer shown in the drawing consists more specifically of a tank 1 in which a belt conveyor hav¬ ing two terminal rollers 2, 3 and a foraminous conveyor belt 4 is mounted. At the end with the terminal roller 2, the tank 1 is filled with a bed 5 of carbon dioxide snow. When the conveyor belt 4 is moving in the direc¬ tion of the arrows, the carbon dioxide snow in the bed 5 will form a thin planar layer 6 over the upper part of the conveyor belt 4 adjacent the terminal roller 2. For supplying fresh carbon dioxide snow to the bed 5 according as the carbon dioxide snow therein is consumed, a nozzle 7 is provided in at least one of the walls of the tank 1.
When using the prefreezer according to the inven- tion with the conveyor belt 4 moving in the direction of the arrows, products 8 are individually placed on the layer 6 adjacent the terminal roller 2. A thin surface layer on the bottom side of each product will then quickly freeze by the direct contact with the carbon dioxide snow. The product will not descend at all, or merely insignificantly, into the layer 6 of carbon dioxide snow and, at any rate, will not come into direct contact with the conveyor belt 4 where this is covered by the layer 6. The layer 6 on the conveyor belt 4 has a relatively uniform thickness such that the belt 4 is substantially parallel to the top side of the layer 6, and moves together with the conveyor belt so as to entrain the products 8 while remaining in contact with them for a period of time required for freezing the surface of the bottom side of the products. When the products 8 have been conveyed past the bed 5 of carbon dioxide snow, all carbon di¬ oxide snow remaining on the belt 4 will drop into the tank 1 and be moved by the belt 4 in the lower path thereof back to the terminal roller 2, whereby the car¬ bon dioxide snow will constantly be maintainted in the bed 5 adjacent the terminal roller 2. At the end of the layer 6, as seen in the direction of travel of the belt 4, the products 8 will thus be received and thereafter supported by the belt 4.
After the surface of the bottom side of the pro- ducts 8 has been frozen and the products have left the layer 6, they are conveyed in direct contact with the conveyor belt 4 up to the terminal roller 3, whence they can be transferred in any suitable manner to a final freezer, e.g. a helical freezer having a like- wise foraminous conveyor belt.
It is evident that the above-described prefreezer according to the invention is a most compact unit that can be combined with any final freezer for the products, and that it ensures in a very quick and gentle way, freezing of the surface of the bottom sides of the pro¬ ducts. Final freezing can also be effected on the part of the belt 4 where there is no layer 6 of carbon di¬ oxide snow.

Claims

1. Method for freezing the surface of one side of products to be individually frozen, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i s e d in that the products (8) are placed on a movable layer (6) of carbon dioxide snow and are en- trained by said layer for a period of time required for said surface freezing.
2. Method as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that said layer (6) of carbon di¬ oxide snow is formed by and above a foraminous con- veyor belt (4) movable in a bed (5) of carbon dioxide snow.
3. Apparatus for freezing the surface of one side of products (8) to be individually frozen, c h a ¬ r a c t e r i z e d by a tank ( 1 ) for a bed ( 5 ) of carbon dioxide snow, and a belt conveyor (2-4) having a foraminous conveyor belt (4) which along part of its path is run through the upper portion of said bed (5) so as to produce a movable layer (6) of carbon dioxide snow on which said products (8) can be placed for contacting said layer of carbon dioxide snow for a period of time required for said surface freezing.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the tank (1) is trough-shaped and that the belt conveyor (2-4) has a first terminal roller (2) at one end of the tank, at which end the bed (5) of carbon dioxide snow is located.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the belt conveyor (2-4) has a second terminal roller (3) at a second end of the tank (1), such that the conveyor belt (4) forms an upper path along which the products (8) are conveyed on the belt, and a lower path where the belt adjacent said first terminal roller (2) entrains the carbon dioxide snow towards this roller.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the bed (5) of carbon dioxide snow extends only along part of the upper path of the belt (4), counting from the first terminal roller (2).
7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3-6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by a nozzle (7) in at least one side wall of the tank (1) for supplying carbon dioxide snow to the bed (5) .
PCT/SE1988/000342 1987-06-23 1988-06-21 Method and apparatus for freezing WO1988010072A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE8702593-8 1987-06-23
SE8702593A SE457929B (en) 1987-06-23 1987-06-23 SET AND DEVICE FOR FREEZING WITH TIRE TRANSMISSIONS THROUGH A BOTTLE OF CARBON ACID

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1988010072A1 true WO1988010072A1 (en) 1988-12-29

Family

ID=20368944

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/SE1988/000342 WO1988010072A1 (en) 1987-06-23 1988-06-21 Method and apparatus for freezing

Country Status (4)

Country Link
AU (1) AU1985688A (en)
ES (1) ES2009011A6 (en)
SE (1) SE457929B (en)
WO (1) WO1988010072A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5410886A (en) * 1992-12-08 1995-05-02 American Cryogas Industries, Inc. Method and apparatus for supplementing mechanical refrigeration by the controlled introduction of a cryogen

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE9602893L (en) 1996-07-30 1997-05-26 Frigoscandia Equipment Ab Food product freezing apparatus

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3213634A (en) * 1964-05-05 1965-10-26 Air Reduction Method and apparatus for individual quick freezing
EP0145544A2 (en) * 1983-11-07 1985-06-19 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Process and apparatus for making particles of frozen food products
SE450541B (en) * 1983-01-12 1987-07-06 Frigoscandia Contracting Ab DEVICE FOR CONTINUOUS DIRECT TREATMENT OF PRODUCTS WITH A LIQUID REFRIGERANT

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3213634A (en) * 1964-05-05 1965-10-26 Air Reduction Method and apparatus for individual quick freezing
SE450541B (en) * 1983-01-12 1987-07-06 Frigoscandia Contracting Ab DEVICE FOR CONTINUOUS DIRECT TREATMENT OF PRODUCTS WITH A LIQUID REFRIGERANT
EP0145544A2 (en) * 1983-11-07 1985-06-19 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Process and apparatus for making particles of frozen food products

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5410886A (en) * 1992-12-08 1995-05-02 American Cryogas Industries, Inc. Method and apparatus for supplementing mechanical refrigeration by the controlled introduction of a cryogen

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE8702593D0 (en) 1987-06-23
SE8702593L (en) 1988-12-24
ES2009011A6 (en) 1989-08-16
SE457929B (en) 1989-02-13
AU1985688A (en) 1989-01-19

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4406359A (en) Method and apparatus for mass transit of cylindrical articles between differing elevations
US4248173A (en) Shredded meat applicator
SE9602136D0 (en) Storage trolley for storage of race goods
US1903102A (en) Fiber board manufacture and apparatus therefor
ES2003680A6 (en) Coating of foodstuffs.
CA1213445A (en) Apparatus for continuous direct treatment of products by means of a fluid cooling medium
US2267789A (en) Apparatus for freezing food products
WO1988010072A1 (en) Method and apparatus for freezing
FR2414459A1 (en) Multichamber cigarette batch transport system - has reservoir travelling between first conveyor outlet and second conveyor inlet
US3865227A (en) Multi-floor conveyor and storage apparatus
US3886762A (en) Apparatuses for freezing articles of food and similar products
US6315100B1 (en) Belt conveyor
US2623363A (en) Apparatus for mechanically icing refrigerator cars and the like
US3534849A (en) Switch-back conveyor
US1869232A (en) Molding apparatus
US2674100A (en) Conveying of pieces of material through a zone of refrigeration
ES8502657A1 (en) Method and device for emptying a bunker by means of several conveyors disposed underneath the slotted exit.
EP0036241B1 (en) Method and arrangement for conveying groups of cubes from a moulding press through a conditioning device
US2847203A (en) Heat treating apparatus
GB1502194A (en) Method of introducing solid fillers into confectionery masses and apparatus for performing the method
US1916960A (en) Method and apparatus for making confections
US3448698A (en) Salt-separating unit for baking apparatus
US3915283A (en) Method for conveying green agglomerates including a feed conveyor, a laterally reciprocable conveyor and an aligned transport conveyor
US1824796A (en) Confection forming machine
NL1001391C2 (en) Appts. with circulating conveyor for mfg. green bricks from clay - has discharge point displaceable stepwise in transverse direction of conveyor, length of each step performed by discharge point corresp. to twice width of compartment

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AU JP US

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LU NL SE