WO2012040057A4 - Freeze tunnel and methods of use - Google Patents
Freeze tunnel and methods of use Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2012040057A4 WO2012040057A4 PCT/US2011/051974 US2011051974W WO2012040057A4 WO 2012040057 A4 WO2012040057 A4 WO 2012040057A4 US 2011051974 W US2011051974 W US 2011051974W WO 2012040057 A4 WO2012040057 A4 WO 2012040057A4
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- conveyor
- cooling
- freeze tunnel
- food product
- air flow
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D13/00—Stationary devices, e.g. cold-rooms
- F25D13/06—Stationary devices, e.g. cold-rooms with conveyors carrying articles to be cooled through the cooling space
- F25D13/067—Stationary devices, e.g. cold-rooms with conveyors carrying articles to be cooled through the cooling space with circulation of gaseous cooling fluid
Abstract
A freeze tunnel can have a conveyor configured to move food product from a first end to a second end. At least one first cooling unit and at least one first fan can be positioned on the first side of the conveyor, and at least one second cooling unit and at least one second fan can be positioned on the second side of the conveyor. The fans can cooperate to circulate air inside the freeze tunnel in two opposite rotational directions.
Claims
1. A freeze tunnel comprising:
a first end and a second end;
a conveyor configured to move a plurality of individual pieces of food product from the first end to the second end, the conveyor having a first side, a second side, and a surface for receiving the plurality of individual pieces of food extending between the first and second sides;
at least one first cooling unit and at least one first fan positioned on the first side of the conveyor; and
at least one second cooling unit and at least one second fan positioned on the second side of the conveyor,
wherein the at least one first and the at least one second cooling units are not vertically aligned with the conveyor, and the at least one first and second fan cooperate to circulate air inside the freeze tunnel in two opposite rotational directions,
wherein the two opposite rotational directions comprise a first air flow pattern that rotates counter-clockwise when viewed along a longitudinal direction of the freeze tunnel and a second air flow pattern that rotates clockwise when viewed along the longitudinal direction of the freeze tunnel, and
wherein, the surface of the conveyor is bisected into a first longitudinal area and a second longitudinal area, with the first longitudinal area being in the first air flow pattern and the second longitudinal area, and the first and second air flow patterns move in the same general direction and with a generally uniform speed across a width of the surface.
2. The freeze tunnel of claim 1 , wherein the at least one first and second cooling units are positioned in the freeze tunnel at locations lower than the conveyor and the at least one first and second fans are positioned in the freeze tunnel at locations higher than the conveyor.
3. The freeze tunnel of claim 2, wherein the at least one first fan is configured to pull air from an area above the conveyor and to blow the air downward towards the at least one first cooling unit, and the at least one second fan is configured to pull air from an area above the conveyor and to blow the air downward towards the at least one second cooling unit.
4. The freeze tunnel of claim 1 , wherein the at least one first cooling unit comprises a plurality of first cooling units that extend substantially along the length of the freeze tunnel, and the at least one second cooling unit comprises a plurality of second cooling units that extend substantially along the length of the freeze tunnel, the plurality of second cooling units being positioned generally opposite the plurality of first cooling units relative to the conveyor.
5. The freeze tunnel of claim 4, comprising:
a first cooling section having at least one of the plurality of first cooling units and at least one of the plurality of second cooling units;
a second cooling section having at least one of the plurality of first cooling units and at least one of the plurality of second cooling units;
a third cooling section having at least one of the plurality of first cooling units and at least one of the plurality of second cooling units; and
a first baffle member positioned between the first and second cooling sections and a second baffle member positioned between the second and third cooling sections.
6. The freeze tunnel of claim 5, wherein the first cooling section comprises a pre-cooling section that has an inner air temperature of between about 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit at an exit end, and the second cooling section comprises an intermediate cooling section that is configured to cool an outside surface of the pieces of food product to a temperature below a solidification point of oil on the outside surface of the pieces of food product.
7. The freeze tunnel of claim 6, wherein the conveyor comprises a first conveyor that transfers the food product through the first cooling section, a second conveyor that transfers the food product through the second cooling section, and a third conveyor that transfers the food product through the third cooling section, the freeze tunnel further comprising: a product exchange between the second and third conveyor causes the pieces of food product to be shaken up to reduce clumping that is caused by the solidification of oil on the surfaces of adjacent pieces of food product.
8. The freeze runnel of claim 7, wherein the second cooling section comprises a temperature adjustment member that can adjust the temperature of the second cooling section to a temperature at which the oil on the outside surface of pieces of the food product will solidify before the food product reaches the product exchange between the second and third conveyors, and
wherein the adjustable temperature range of the second cooling section is between about 20 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
9. The freeze tunnel of claim 8, wherein the temperature adjustment member comprises a device for changing the temperature of the second cooling section while the freeze tunnel is in operation.
10. A method of freezing individual pieces of food product, the method comprising:
advancing the food product into a freeze tunnel on a surface of a conveyor;
providing a first cooling unit on a first side of the conveyor and a second cooling unit on a second side of the conveyor;
circulating air through the first cooling unit and towards the conveyor in a first air flow pattern; and
circulating air through the second cooling unit and towards the conveyor in a second air flow pattern,
wherein the first and second air flow patterns are rotationally opposite from one another, with the first and second air flow patterns being in the same general direction as air from the first and second air flow patterns collectively passes through the surface of the: conveyor, and the air passing through the surface having a generally uniform air flow speed across a width of the surface.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first and second air flow patterns have a velocity that varies by 100 ft/min or less across the width of the surface of the conveyor.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising :
providing a first fan on the first side of the conveyor and a second fan on the second side of the conveyor,
wherein the first and second fans circulate air in the freeze tunnel in the first and second air flow patterns, respectively, and air from both the first and second air flow patterns moves collectively upwards through the conveyor,
13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
providing a plurality of the first cooling units on the first side of the conveyor and a plurality of second cooling units on the second side of the conveyor, the first and second cooling units extending substantially the length of the freeze tunnel;
advancing the food product through a first cooling section, the first cooling section having an internal temperature of between about 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit;
advancing the food product through a second cooling section, the second cooling section being maintained at a temperature that causes an outside surface of pieces of food product to freeze; and
advancing the food product through a third cooling section to substantially freeze the entirety of the pieces of food product.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the conveyor comprises at least a first, second, and third conveyor, the method further comprising:
transferring the pieces of food product from the first conveyor to the second conveyor before the outside surfaces of the pieces of food product are frozen;
transferring the pieces of food product from the second conveyor to the third conveyor immediately after the outside surfaces of the pieces of food product are frozen in the second cooling section.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:
independently controlling depths of the food product on the first, second, and third conveyors.
16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:
adjusting the temperature of the second cooling section in real time to ensure that the outside surfaces of the pieces of food product solidify before the pieces of food product are transferred from the first conveyor to the second conveyor.
17. A freeze tunnel having a first longitudinal half and a second longitudinal half extending the length of the freeze tunnel, the freeze tunnel comprising:
a transport means for moving food product through the freeze tunnel, the transport means having a portion in the first longitudinal half and a portion in the second longitudinal half of the freeze tunnel;
a first cooling means for reducing the temperature in the freeze tunnel, the first cooling means being positioned in the first longitudinal half;
a second cooling means for reducing the temperature in the freeze tunnel, the second cooling means being positioned in the second longitudinal half;
a first air flow means for causing a first air flow pattern in the first longitudinal half; and
a second air flow means for causing a second air flow pattern in the second longitudinal half;
wherein the first and second air flow patterns are in rotationally opposite directions with the air from the first and second air flow patterns collectively passing through the transport means in the same direction and with a generally uniform air flow speed across the width of the transport means.
18. The freeze tunnel of claim 17, wherein the first cooling means comprises a plurality of first cooling units that extend along a length of the freeze tunnel, and the second cooling means comprises a plurality of second cooling units that extend along the length of the freeze tunnel, and wherein the plurality of first cooling units are positioned opposite the plurality of second cooling units.
19. The freeze tunnel of claim 18 , wherein the first air flow pattern comprises a counter-clockwise rotation when viewed in a longitudinal direction from an entrance side of the freeze tunnel and the second air flow pattern comprises a clockwise rotation when viewed in the longitudinal direction from the entrance side of the freeze tunnel.
20. The freeze tunnel of claim 19, wherein the freeze tunnel comprises a first cooling section, a second cooling section, and a third cooling section, and the first cooling section is separated from the second cooling section by a baffle and the second cooling section is separated from the third cooling section by a baffle, and wherein the second cooling section comprising a temperature adjustment means for adjusting the temperature of the second cooling section during operation of the freeze tunnel.
21. The freeze tunnel of claim 17, wherein the air flow speed across the width of the transport means varies by 100 ft/mm or less across the width of the transport means.
22. The freeze tunnel of claim 17, wherein the air flow speed across the width of the transport means varies by 40 ft/min or less across the width of the transport means.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2810923A CA2810923A1 (en) | 2010-09-20 | 2011-09-16 | Freeze tunnel and methods of use |
| EP11827267.3A EP2619514B1 (en) | 2010-09-20 | 2011-09-16 | Freeze tunnel and methods of use |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US12/886,428 | 2010-09-20 | ||
| US12/886,428 US20120067066A1 (en) | 2010-09-20 | 2010-09-20 | Freeze tunnel and methods of use |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2012040057A1 WO2012040057A1 (en) | 2012-03-29 |
| WO2012040057A4 true WO2012040057A4 (en) | 2012-09-07 |
Family
ID=45816491
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2011/051974 WO2012040057A1 (en) | 2010-09-20 | 2011-09-16 | Freeze tunnel and methods of use |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20120067066A1 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP2619514B1 (en) |
| AR (1) | AR083056A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2810923A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2012040057A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20140345304A1 (en) * | 2013-05-24 | 2014-11-27 | Tigon Systems Incorporated | Mobile Apparatus And Method For Rapidly Pre-Cooling Produce |
| JP6218439B2 (en) * | 2013-06-04 | 2017-10-25 | 株式会社前川製作所 | Heat exchanger, belt conveyor cooling mechanism and cooling machine using the same |
| JP6506622B2 (en) * | 2015-05-29 | 2019-04-24 | 高橋工業株式会社 | Food rapid cooling system |
| IT201900002425A1 (en) * | 2019-02-19 | 2020-08-19 | Frigomeccanica Spa | METHOD AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE TREATMENT OF FOOD PRODUCTS |
| CN113865204B (en) * | 2021-09-30 | 2023-05-12 | 四川味滋美食品科技有限公司 | Sectional type cooling device and cooling process |
| CN114148671A (en) * | 2021-11-16 | 2022-03-08 | 东莞市福瑞司特食品科技有限公司 | A cooling material feeding unit for making of snow charming woman skin |
Family Cites Families (17)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3122897A (en) * | 1962-03-05 | 1964-03-03 | Lewis Refrigeration Co | Freezing tunnel for comestibles |
| US3173276A (en) * | 1962-06-26 | 1965-03-16 | Refrigeration Engineering Corp | Endless conveyor type freezer |
| US3425237A (en) * | 1965-09-02 | 1969-02-04 | Willis S Mcleese | Vibrating food freezer |
| US3455120A (en) * | 1966-09-08 | 1969-07-15 | Chemetron Corp | Cryogenic conveyor freezer |
| US4062202A (en) * | 1974-09-05 | 1977-12-13 | Cloudy & Britton Inc. | Vibratory weir assembly and method for separating foods being frozen during fluidization in a food freezing tunnel |
| US4078398A (en) * | 1976-10-04 | 1978-03-14 | Cloudy & Britton, Inc. | Food freezing tunnel with improved freezing air flow apparatus |
| US4281521A (en) * | 1979-12-05 | 1981-08-04 | Refrigeration Engineering Corporation | Fluidized freezing |
| US4403479A (en) * | 1981-09-02 | 1983-09-13 | Ivan Rasovich | Quick freezing system |
| US4475351A (en) * | 1983-08-09 | 1984-10-09 | Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. | Dual-flow cryogenic freezer |
| SE459764B (en) * | 1987-08-06 | 1989-07-31 | Frigoscandia Contracting Ab | FREEZING TUNNEL WITH LEVELING OF THE COOLING MEDIUM BY A WASTE DRAINAGE |
| JP3373897B2 (en) * | 1992-07-13 | 2003-02-04 | 大阪酸素工業株式会社 | Tunnel type freezing chamber |
| US5444985A (en) * | 1994-05-13 | 1995-08-29 | Liquid Carbonic Corporation | Cryogenic tunnel freezer |
| US5577392A (en) * | 1995-01-17 | 1996-11-26 | Liquid Carbonic Corporation | Cryogenic chiller with vortical flow |
| FR2773393A1 (en) * | 1998-01-08 | 1999-07-09 | Roger Dew | Tunnel freezer for bulk or individual food products |
| JPH11253143A (en) * | 1998-03-09 | 1999-09-21 | Takahashi Kogyo Kk | Quickly freezing apparatus for solution or the like housed in capless vessel |
| SE515811C2 (en) * | 1999-01-20 | 2001-10-15 | Frigoscandia Equipment Ab | Apparatus for gas treatment of products comprising a high pressure chamber |
| US20100199703A1 (en) * | 2007-07-25 | 2010-08-12 | Henrik Ziegler | Apparatus for thermal gas treatment |
-
2010
- 2010-09-20 US US12/886,428 patent/US20120067066A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2011
- 2011-09-16 EP EP11827267.3A patent/EP2619514B1/en active Active
- 2011-09-16 WO PCT/US2011/051974 patent/WO2012040057A1/en active Application Filing
- 2011-09-16 CA CA2810923A patent/CA2810923A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2011-09-20 AR ARP110103424A patent/AR083056A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AR083056A1 (en) | 2013-01-30 |
| EP2619514B1 (en) | 2019-04-03 |
| EP2619514A1 (en) | 2013-07-31 |
| CA2810923A1 (en) | 2012-03-29 |
| WO2012040057A1 (en) | 2012-03-29 |
| US20120067066A1 (en) | 2012-03-22 |
| EP2619514A4 (en) | 2017-08-23 |
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