Abstract: The present invention is an immersion freezer which employs a postcooling chamber. The immersion section of the freezer initially immerses all or part of the items to be frozen (typically food items) in a bath of a liquid refrigerant to impart a crust freeze on the items, which locks in moisture and prevents clumping. The postcooling chamber, located underneath the immersion section, then uses the vaporized refrigerant from the immersion section to complete the freezing process while also maximizing efficiency. The postcooling chamber also imparts agitation to the items (which further prevents clumping) through the use of a series of cascading conveyor belts.

Abstract: A method is provided for overcoming problems heretofore encountered in systems for continuous cryogenic deflashing of molded articles. Such previous problems include the cracking of the articles as a result of thermal shock suffered by spraying the liquefied gas coolant directly on the article to effect embrittlement of the flash and that of blasting media sticking to the articles. The now disclosed system avoids thermal shock by more gradual cooling of the article and by effecting the desired embrittlement by contact with gaseous coolant obtained by vaporization of the liquefied gas within the treating chamber prior to its contact with the articles. The arrangement of the spray nozzles for the coolant is designed to provide an adequate precooling period to avoid thermal shock and to obtain a temperature profile such that insufficient cooling of the mold release wax is avoided.