Abstract: A supporting installation (1) for supporting a number of turns, extending helically one upon the other in a stack, of an at least partly self-supporting conveyor belt (2) comprises at least one bearing element (9) for supporting the conveyor belt (2), and a section (4) for supporting the bearing element (9). The section (4) is extended in an endless loop along which the bearing element (9) is movable. At least one bearing element (9) is a roller bearing element (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for measuring the distribution of selected properties of materials, said device comprises an emitter of electromagnetic radiation and furthermore at least one sensor of a first type. The emitter emits electromagnetic radiation in a selected frequency range towards said materials and a sensor of the first type detects electromagnetic radiation in a selected frequency range coming from said materials. The detected electromagnetic radiation having been emitted by said emitter. The device also comprises means to generate a three dimensional image contour information regarding the said material's position in space, and an analyser which (a) receives information from said sensors and (b) processes this information and (c) generates signals containing information about the distribution of said properties as output. The invention also relates to a system and a method for measuring the distribution of selected properties of materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining a dielectric function in an object. The apparatus comprises one transmit antenna for transmitting microwave radiation through said object, and one receive antenna for receiving the transmitted microwave radiation, one ultrasound transmitter for emitting ultrasound radiation through said object to generate a density variation in the object, means to analyse the microwave radiation transmitted through the density variation to determine the acousto-electric interaction ? in the object, and means to calculate the dielectric function in the object from the acousto-electric interaction. The invention also relates to a method for determining the dielectric function in an object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining a dielectric function in an object. The apparatus includes one transmit antenna for transmitting microwave radiation through the object, and one receive antenna for receiving the transmitted microwave radiation, one ultrasound transmitter for emitting ultrasound radiation through the object to generate a density variation in the object, means to analyse the microwave radiation transmitted through the density variation to determine the acousto-electric interaction in the object, and a device to calculate the dielectric function in the object from the acousto-electric interaction. The invention also relates to a method for determining the dielectric function in an object.

Abstract: A food product is frozen at least partially by contacting a surface area (4) of a chilled tray (1). The tray (1) consists of a plurality of elements (2, 3). The elements are juxtaposed to form the surface area (4), they are further movable relative to each other for changing of the relative position of at least one element at a time, and finally they each occupy such a small surface in the surface area that the change of relative position is possible also after the food product part contacting the tray has been frozen.

Abstract: A belt conveyor comprises an endless conveyor belt and first and second rollers. The endless belt follows a conveyance path from the first roller to the second roller and a return path from the second roller to the first roller. The belt conveyor further comprises a plurality or parallel lines extending over the conveyor belt along the whole conveyance path and over and away from the second roller along a plane deviating from the plane of the conveyance path. The belt conveyor may be used in a food treating apparatus having a housing for conveyance of articles therethrough, and the housing may be used for treating, e.g. freezing, food products by impingement means.

Abstract: An apparatus for making citrus juice preferably includes a supply of relatively small frozen bodies comprising at least one of citrus juice and pulp, a heating section for adding heat to the frozen bodies to thaw the frozen bodies, and a filling section downstream from the heating section for filling juice containers with citrus juice. The relatively small frozen bodies may have at least one dimension less than about 1.5 inches. The apparatus may also include a pasteurizing section upstream from the filling section. In one embodiment, the supply comprises a plurality of portable containers each containing a plurality of frozen bodies. The heating section preferably comprises a heat transfer tank, a heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer tank, a heater for the heat transfer fluid, and a conveyor for advancing the containers of frozen bodies through the heat transfer fluid. Each portable container may comprise a flexible bag, for example.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for freezing a surface layer of food product (6), placed on a non-foraminous conveyor belt (7) wherein cold air in the form of jets is blown towards the underside of the non-foraminous conveyor belt. The apparatus for carrying out the method comprises, in addition to the non-foraminous conveyor belt (7), a plurality of stationary nozzles (14) for producing jets towards the underside of the non-foraminous conveyor belt in an area which extends over the width of the non-foraminous conveyor belt.

Abstract: A conveyor belt comprises a plurality of interconnected elements (1, 2), which are successively arranged in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt. The elements are movable relative to each other at least about axes (3) which extend transversely of the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt and in parallel with the plane of the conveyor belt. The elements (1, 2) are alternatively of a first type and a second type. Each element (1) of the first type has the form of an inversely U-shaped beam extended transversely of the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt. This beam has flanges (6) and a web (7) interconnecting the flanges as well as a plurality of openings (8), spaced apart along the beam, in each border area between the web (7) and the respective flanges (6). Each element (2) of the second type has lugs (5), which are locked against complete withdrawal from the neighboring openings (8) in each of the two adjoining elements (1) of the first type.

Abstract: In a method of preparing soft or sticky food products for further processing, the food products are heated from below for setting a surface layer of the food products which forms a crust holding and supporting the food products during further processing. An apparatus for performing this method comprises a belt conveyor having a conveyor belt for conveying the soft or sticky food products along a path upstream of the further processing, and heating element positioned below and on both sides of the conveyor belt in the path upstream of the further processing. The heating elements heat the soft or sticky food products on the conveyor belt from below and laterally for forming a crust which is able to hold and support the food products during the further processing.

Abstract: A belt conveyor comprises a drum, which is rotatably mounted on a vertical center shaft (4'), and an endless conveyor belt, which along part of its length follows a helical path through several turns around the drum and in contact with the outside of the drum. The drum has a plurality of vertical strips (10), which are distributed around the outside of the drum, engage the conveyor belt through the majority of the turns thereof and are each vertically movable from a starting position in one direction together with the belt through essentially one rotation of the drum and are then successively returnable vertically in the opposite direction to the starting position.

Abstract: An endless conveyor belt has a plurality of link members interconnected so that the conveyor belt is movable along a path (22) curved essentially in the plane of the conveyor belt and also about a guide roller whose axis is parallel to the plane of the conveyor belt. Product carriers (17) are supported successively by the link members and are essentially rigid in the plane of the conveyor belt; however, they are movable, together with the conveyor belt, about the guide roller. Each product carrier is longer, in the longitudinal direction of the extension of the conveyor belt, than each link member.

Abstract: A refrigeration system comprises a compressor, a condenser, a receiver and an evaporator, each having an inlet and an outlet, and a separator having an inlet and a first and second outlet, connected to each other conventionally. The separator is positioned laterally of the evaporator and closer thereto than to the compressor. A controller ensures overfeed of the evaporator by regulating the feed rate of liquid refrigerant from the receiver such that the separator is feeding the evaporator with liquid refrigerant in proportion to demand and safeguarding the desired overfeed. The separator comprises a cylindrical container having two outlets and an inlet for separating the vapor and liquid components of a refrigerant. The inlet is directed tangentially into the cylindrical container.

Abstract: An apparatus for air-treatment of products comprises an endless conveyor belt following through part of its length a helical path forming a stack of tiers. Side plates at one longitudinal edge of the conveyor belt form an outer cylinder wall delimiting the stack radially outwards. An inner cylinder wall delimits the stack radially inwards. Thereby, a central space is defined by the inner cylinder wall and an annular space is defined between the outer cylinder wall and the inner cylinder wall. An end closure substantially adjoins the outer cylinder wall at one end of the stack. Means are provided for blowing air through the central space towards the end closure and back through the annular space between the outer and inner cylinder walls for air-treatment of products carried by the conveyor belt in the helical path. The air is conditioned and blown through the annular space between the outer and inner cylinder walls.

Abstract: A refrigeration system comprises a compressor, a condenser, a receiver and an evaporator, each having an inlet and an outlet, and a separator having an inlet and a first and a second outlet, connected to each other conventionally. The separator is positioned laterally of the evaporator and closer thereto than to the compressor. A controller ensures overfeed of the evaporator by regulating the feed rate of liquid refrigerant from the receiver such that the separator is feeding the evaporator with liquid refrigerant in proportion to demand and safeguarding the desired overfeed. The separator comprises a cylindrical container having two outlets and an inlet for separating the vapor and liquid components of a refrigerant. The inlet is directed tangentially into the cylindrical container.

Abstract: A foodstuff air treatment device includes a housing (1) with an elongated trough (11) for receiving the foodstuffs to be treated. The trough extends through the housing and includes a foraminated bottom (15), a first side wall (17), and a second side wall (15). A heat exchanger (12) is disposed in the housing, and a fan assembly (13) is also disposed within the housing for producing an air flow that circulates through the heat exchanger, up through the trough, and back to the heat exchanger. One side wall (17) of the trough is adjustable, laterally to the length of the trough, for changing the width of the trough.

Abstract: A conveyor belt comprises a plurality of side links at each side of the conveyor belt, a plurality of transverse rods connecting the side links in pairs, and a wire mesh forming a conveying surface of the conveyor belt. The wire mesh further comprises a plurality of wire spirals each spiral having loops encircling two of the transverse rods. At least some of the wire spirals have a varying pitch along the length of the rods.

Abstract: A method of processing rice to provide a quick-cooking rice includes the steps of fluidizing the rice by recirculation of a gaseous fluid of saturated steam at 100.degree. C. during a first and major part of a cooking time period; injecting saturated make-up steam at 100.degree. C. into the recirculating gaseous fluid in order to compensate condensated steam; spraying water of a temperature close to 100.degree. C. upon the fluidized rice at most during the first and major part of the cooking time period and in an amount calculated for gelatinizing all starch of the fluidized rice; and drying the rice mainly in fluidized state in a successive second zone by dry air.

Abstract: A conveyor belt comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse rods. A plurality of side links at both lateral edges of the conveyor belt are connected in pairs by the successive transverse rods. Each side link is movable relative to adjoining side links about two axes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt. A wire netting is supported by the transverse rods and extends substantially over the whole width of the conveyor belt. The wire netting comprises a plurality of wires. A separate one of the wires forms a joint intermediate the lateral edges of the conveyor belt between each pair of adjoining transverse rods, each transverse rod in the pair connecting a separate pair of side links. Thereby, the joint takes up tractive forces at least along straight paths of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: An air treatment apparatus comprises a housing (1) which has a casing made up of three elements (2-4), which are pivotable in relation to each other about shafts (9, 15) parallel to a longitudinal direction of an elongate trough provided in the housing. A lower element (2) supports the elongate trough, a heat-exchanging battery and a fan assembly. A rear element (3) forms a first side wall and is pivotable about an upper edge, so as to provide access to the heat-exchanging battery and the fan assembly from outside. An upper element (4) forms at least part of a second side wall and is pivotable in relation to the lower element, so as to provide access to the elongate trough from outside.