Abstract: In an improved food freezing tunnel, a freezing airflow apparatus, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,398, is further improved and rearranged in respect to the vertical in-line alignment of the freezing coils, the fans, and the food product porous conveyor, all of which are positioned in the upwardly flowing airflow. The air to be cooled enters at the bottom of the tunnel via an inlet air chamber, as before, and then is first drawn through the freezing coils of the freezing chamber before passing upwardly through the fan intakes into the fan chamber. Upon leaving the fans rotating about vertical axes, the freezing air flows radially and horizontally, as before. Then, vertical baffles spaced about each fan, modify this discharging airflow to prevent any excessive swirling or vortexing of the freezing airflow passing upwardly from the fan chamber through the moving food product porous conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing seafood, suitable for use in small ships, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a closed container having an opening and a fluid tight closure to cover the opening. Cooking water and cold brine are stored in separate reservoirs and are maintained at predetermined cooking and freezing temperatures. Seafood is placed into the closed container for processing. Cooking water is continuously circulating through the closed container from the cooking water reservoir to cook the seafood during a cooking cycle. Thereafter, cold brine is continuously circulated through the fluid tight container from the cold brine reservoir to freeze the seafood during a freezing cycle. A rinse cycle can also be employed wherein rinsing water is circulated through the container between the cooking and freezing cycles. Additionally, if just freezing of seafood is desired, the cooking steps of the method and the cooking apparatus may be eliminated.