Abstract: A sheet-based cover assembly can be used to create an air seal around a palletized product assembly. The assembly includes a plurality of flexible poles which support a covering. In an at-rest state unaffected by external forces, the flexible poles hold the covering open and allow the palletized product assembly to be installed in position, ready to be acted on by a vacuum-creating fan or air handler. When the fan is activated, the vacuum draws the covering tight around the palletized product assembly, deflecting the poles under the force of the vacuum pressure created by the fan. The sheet covering is flexible but relatively air-impermeable, such that the vacuum created behind the palletized product assembly flows primarily through, rather than around, the product.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring a temperature of a product are provided. An example method includes providing a temperature probe assembly. The temperature probe assembly includes a temperature probe configured to sense a temperature, a body in electrical communication with the temperature probe, and a scanner fixed to the body. The method further includes scanning a code, via the scanner, and receiving a temperature reading, via the temperature probe. The temperature reading corresponds to a temperature of a product in which the temperature probe is inserted. The method further includes outputting an indication of the temperature reading, based on the code.

Abstract: A modular air handler is adapted for installation in a racking assembly behind palletized product. The air handler operates to move air through the adjacent layers of palletized product upon placement of the palletized product in the adjacent space. The air handler can be deactivated in order to prevent unnecessary air flow when no palletized product is present in the adjacent space. A number of the modular air handlers may be provided for a racking assembly, such that individual pallet bays may be activated or deactivated as palletized product is deposited or withdrawn from the various pallet bays of the rack.

Abstract: A modular air handler is adapted for installation in a racking assembly behind palletized product. The air handler operates to move air through the adjacent layers of palletized product upon placement of the palletized product in the adjacent space. The air handler can be deactivated in order to prevent unnecessary air flow when no palletized product is present in the adjacent space. A number of the modular air handlers may be provided for a racking assembly, such that individual pallet bays may be activated or deactivated as palletized product is deposited or withdrawn from the various pallet bays of the rack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accelerating steam in a steam oven. The steam acceleration of the present invention is sufficient to circulate steam throughout the cooking chamber of a steam oven and substantially eliminate stagnant noncondensible gases therein.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for an air heating and cooling apparatus includes a plurality of exteriorly-finless hollow refrigerant-carrying stainless steel spirally wound coils being of flattened oval shape in cross-section and a plurality of angularly-spaced criss-cross grid-forming structures for supporting the coils in spaced-apart relation and aligned in columns and rows in a stack thereof for permitting passage of external air flow across and between the coils. The spirally wound coils are supported by the grid structures to have an annular-shaped configuration defining an open interior in the coil stack core.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed having a coil positioned between an outer casing member with a bottom having a sump formed therein and an inner casing member containing a rotatable shaft to which a fan is mounted. The fan has a first stage or set of blades which pushes air from the outside down over the coils and a second stage or set of blades having a pitch opposite the first set for pulling the air up through the inner casing member to exhaust. A distributor having a pump which operates on centrifugal force is also provided which draws a liquid heat transfer medium preferably water from the sump and rotates with the fan blades to effectively "sling" the medium over the coils as the fan rotates.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus is disclosed for rapidly cooling and simultaneously maintaining a high moisture content in freshly slaughtered meat products and the like placed in a chamber through which preconditioned air is circulated. This is achieved by limiting the air temperature rise by utilizing air flow rates past the product at a level such as to cause the air to increase in temperature from entry into the chamber to exit from the chamber by no more than approximately two degrees F. and by providing a cooling apparatus which reduces the temperature of the air while removing free water from it yet is capable of maintaining the relative humidity of the air at no less than ninety percent.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus is disclosed for rapidly cooling and simultaneously maintaining a high moisture content in freshly slaughtered meat products and the like placed in a controlled environment chamber through which preconditioned air is circulated. This is achieved by limiting the air temperature rise by utilizing air flow rates past the product at a level such as to cause the air to increase in temperature from entry into the chamber to exit from the chamber by no more than approximately two degrees F. and by providing a cooling apparatus which reduces the temperature of the air while removing free water from it yet is capable of maintaining the relative humidity of the air at no less than ninety percent.