METHOD FOR BLAST FREEZING A PRODUCT
A method for freezing a commodity includes a plurality of boxes arranged in two rows with a space formed therebetween. A plenum is formed between the two rows of boxes with the plurality of boxes being positioned side-by-side. Air is pulled through and/or around the plurality of boxes and through ventilation holes in the boxes and/or through spacers positioned underneath adjacent boxes and along a length of the space formed between the two rows. The air may be discharged upwardly, horizontally or downwardly therefrom. In addition, the air may be forced through the plenum, along the length of the space formed between the two rows and through ventilation holes in the boxes and/or through spacers positioned underneath adjacent boxes for evenly freezing a commodity positioned in the boxes.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/478,203, filed on May 23, 2012, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/336,900, filed on Jan. 23, 2006, which claimed priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/645,027, filed on Jan. 21, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a method for blast freezing a commodity such as a food product.
2. Description of Background Art
It is common in the food industry to use a blast freezer to freeze various food products. Normally, a blast freezer requires the use of an expensive specially designed tunnel in which food products are positioned on pallets within the tunnel. The tunnel is a freezer that is maintained at a temperature of approximately −40° Fahrenheit (−40° Celsius). Air is blown or pushed onto the food products disposed in the tunnel to freeze the food products. However, as the cold air is first blown or pushed towards the first pallet of food products to be frozen, the air is warmed by the temperature of the food products so that the second pallet in the row is exposed to a warmer air as compared to the first pallet of food products. This problem is exacerbated as air is blown or pushed towards the third pallet and thereafter the fourth pallet and subsequent pallets. Thus, the food products positioned on the last pallet will be frozen at a different time as compared to food products disposed directly adjacent to the air handler. After the food products are frozen, the food products are transferred to a freezer that is maintained at a temperature of approximately −20° Fahrenheit (−28.88° Celsius) or at a temperature of approximately −10° Fahrenheit (−23.33° Celsius).
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the present invention to provide a method for treating a commodity, such as blast freezing a food product, by pulling air through and/or around pallets and through ventilation holes in boxes stacked on the pallets.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a plurality of pallets of the commodity that are formed in two rows with a space formed therebetween. A cover is positioned over the space to form a plenum. An air handler is positioned to pull air from between the plurality of pallets and through the ventilation holes in the boxes stacked on the pallets and along the length of the space formed between the two rows for achieving an even flow of air for treating the commodity positioned on the pallets.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a method for treating a commodity, such as blast freezing a food product, that includes positioning a plurality of boxes of a commodity arranged in two rows with a space formed therebetween. Forming a plenum between the two rows of boxes to permit a flow of air through ventilation holes in the boxes. Pulling air in a temperature range of 8 degrees F. to −20 degrees F. (−13.33 degrees C. to −28.88 degrees C.) through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along a length of the space formed between the two rows and discharging the air therefrom and providing an even flow of air to evenly pull air through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows of boxes to evenly freeze a commodity positioned in the boxes.
In an embodiment of the present invention, corrugated material may be positioned underneath and/or between adjacent boxes to provide a ventilation space therebetween.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a method to freeze a commodity including steps of providing a first and second box of a commodity being disposed adjacent to each other with a space formed therebetween. Forming a plenum between the first box and said second box to permit a flow of air through the boxes. Pulling air in a normal freezer temperature range of approximately 8 degrees F. to −20 degrees F. (−13.33 degrees C. to −28.88 degrees C.) through the boxes and along a length of the space formed between the first box and second box and discharging the air therefrom and providing an even flow of air to evenly pull air through the first box and the second box and along the length of the space formed between the first and second boxes to evenly freeze a commodity positioned in the boxes.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a method to freeze a commodity including the steps of providing a plurality of pallets of a commodity arranged in two rows having a predetermined length or height with a space formed therebetween. Providing ventilation spacers underneath at least adjacent boxes positioned on the pallets wherein ventilation is provided therebetween. Forming a plenum between the two rows of pallets wherein a flow of air is pulled through the ventilation spacers disposed underneath the boxes on the pallets. Pulling air in a normal freezer temperature range of approximately 8 degrees F. to −20 degrees F. (−13.33 degrees C. to −28.88 degrees C.) through the ventilation spacer disposed underneath the boxes and along a length of the space formed between the two rows and discharging the air therefrom and providing an even flow of air to evenly pull air through the ventilation spacers and along the length of the space formed between the two rows of pallets to evenly freeze a commodity positioned in the boxes on the pallets.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a method to freeze a commodity including positioning a plurality of boxes of a commodity arranged in two rows with a space formed therebetween. Forming a plenum between the two rows of boxes to permit a flow of air through ventilation holes in the boxes. Forcing air in a normal freezer temperature range of approximately 8 degrees F. to −20 degrees F. (−13.33 degrees C. to −28.88 degrees C.) along a length of the space formed between the two rows and through the ventilation holes in the boxes and discharging the air therefrom and providing an even flow of air to evenly force air along the length of the space formed between the two rows of boxes and through the ventilation holes in the boxes to evenly freeze a commodity positioned in the boxes.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a method to freeze a commodity including providing a first and second box of a commodity being disposed adjacent to each other with a space formed therebetween. Forming a plenum between said first box and said second box to permit a flow of air through the boxes. Forcing air in a normal freezer temperature range of approximately 8 degrees F. to −20 degrees F. (−13.33 degrees C. to −28.88 degrees C.) along a length of the space formed between the first box and second box and through the boxes and discharging the air therefrom and providing an even flow of air to evenly force air along the length of the space between the first and second boxes and through the first box and the second box to evenly freeze a commodity positioned in the boxes.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a method to freeze a commodity including providing a plurality of pallets of a commodity arranged in two rows having a predetermined length or height with a space formed therebetween. Providing ventilation spacers underneath at least adjacent boxes positioned on the pallets wherein ventilation is provided therebetween. Forming a plenum between said two rows of pallets wherein a flow of air is forced through the ventilation spacers disposed underneath the boxes on the pallets. Forcing air in a normal freezer temperature range of approximately 8 degrees F. to −20 degrees F. (−13.33 degrees C. to −28.88 degrees C.) along a length of the space formed between the two rows and through the ventilation spacer disposed underneath the boxes and discharging the air therefrom and providing an even flow of air to evenly force air along the length of the space formed between the two rows of pallets and through the ventilation spacers to evenly freeze a commodity positioned in the boxes on the pallets.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
As illustrated in
A cover C is positioned to be placed on the space S or at least a portion of the top surface 12 of the commodities for sealing the two rows of pallets along the top surface. In one embodiment, the cover C can also extend along end surfaces 14, 16 for sealing the space S between the two rows of pallets on the end surfaces 14, 16. The cover C may be a flexible tarp for positioning on space S or on the top surface of at least a portion of the commodities that is sucked up tight to make a seal as air is pulled through the space S formed between the pallets and through the ventilation holes in the boxes stacked on the pallets. In another embodiment, the cover C may be a more rigid board material that is positioned on the space S or on a portion of the top surface of the commodities.
As stated above, it is to be understood that the two rows I and II of pallets 1A-5A, 1B-5B and 1C-5C, 1D-5D may be arranged in straight rows as illustrated in
A plenum P is formed between the two rows I and II of the pallets 1A-5A, 1B-5B and 1C-5C, 1D-5D with the plurality of pallets being spaced apart 11A-14A, 11B-14B, 11C-14C and 11D-14D from adjacent pallets to permit a flow of air therebetween. The boxes of commodities positioned on the pallets include a plurality of ventilation holes H for permitting air to be pulled through the boxes as the commodity is blast frozen.
The air handler 20 is positioned between the two rows I and II of pallets and is spaced along a length thereof. As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
By positioning the air handler 20 between the rows I and II of pallets, an even flow of air is achieved from between adjacent pallets 11A-14A, 11B-14B, 11C-14C and 11D-14D and along the two rows I and II of the pallets 1A-5A, 1B-5B, 1C-5C and 1D-5D and through the holes H in the boxes for evenly treating a commodity positioned in the boxes on the pallets.
As illustrated in
The apparatus 10 of the present invention may be used as a blast freezer for freezing the commodity, such as a food product. By placing the pallets of food products in a normal freezer at a temperature in a range of approximately 8 degrees F. to −20° Fahrenheit (−13.33 degrees C. to −28.88° Celsius) and using an air handler 20 an even flow of air is achieved from between adjacent pallets 11A-14A, 11B-14B, 11C-14C and 11D-14D and through the ventilation holes in the boxes stacked on the pallets and along the two rows I and II of the pallets 1A-5A, 1B-5B, 1C-5C and 1D-5D for evenly blast freezing a commodity positioned in the boxes on the pallets. Thereafter the products may be positioned into a freezer that is maintained at approximately −10° Fahrenheit (−23.33° Celsius).
A substantial savings in energy is achieved by using the present invention to blast freeze a product. The expensive, specially designed tunnel that is maintained at a low temperature of approximately −40° Fahrenheit (−40° Celsius) is no longer needed.
The present invention may be used with any number of pallets arranged in straight rows or in rows disposed at an angle relative to each other. The air handler 20 is portable for positioning the air handler 20 in a warehouse, a freezer, or in any environment for permitting the treating of a commodity as the need arises. The present invention is not limited for use in a freezer. The present invention provides for blast freezing for ensuring that a commodity is properly handled depending on the conditions required for the commodity.
The speed of blast freezing permits the present invention to process a commodity very quickly.
The blast freezing of a food product according to the present invention occurs within 36 hours at a temperature of approximately −8° Fahrenheit (−22.22° Celsius). This is to be compared to a conventional tunnel that is used to blast freeze a food product in 72 hours at a temperature of approximately −40° Fahrenheit (−40° Celsius). Again, a substantial saving occurs by reducing the time and the energy needed for blast freezing the food product. Thus, a better turn over occurs to permit additional food products to be blast frozen by using the present invention.
Pulling the air through the pallets makes it possible to form a plenum to block the air flow where needed by using a cover C or tarp that is sucked up tight to make a seal with the space S as compared to providing a rigid structure. By pulling the air through the pallets and through the ventilation holes in the boxes stacked on the pallets the air flow seals the tarps to space S. In another embodiment, the cover C or tarp may be positioned on a portion of the top surface of the boxes wherein the seal with the space S is formed without the need of using a rigid structure.
As illustrated in
A cover C is positioned to be placed on the top of the space S and may be positioned on at least a portion of the top surface 112 of the commodities for sealing the two rows of pallets along the top surface. In one embodiment, the cover C can also extend along end surfaces 114, 116 for sealing the space S between the two rows of pallets along the end surfaces 114, 116. The cover C may be a flexible tarp for positioning on the space S or on the top surface of the commodities that is sucked up tight to make a seal as an air flow is pulled through the ventilation holes H. In another embodiment, the cover C may be a more rigid board material that is positioned on the top surface of the space S or on the commodities.
As stated above, it is to be understood that the two rows I and II of pallets 101A-105A, 101B-105B and 101C-105C, 101D-105D may be arranged in straight rows as illustrated in
A plenum P is formed between the two rows I and II of the pallets 101A-105A, 101B-105B and 101C-105C, 101D-105D. The plurality of pallets may be spaced apart with covers 111A-114A, 111B-114B, 111C-114C and 111D-114D disposed in the space for blocking the flow of air. The covers 111A-114A, 111B-114B, 111C-114C and 111D-114D may be positioned on the exterior of the two rows I and II of the pallets as illustrated in
The air handler 200 is positioned between the two rows I and II of pallets and is spaced along a length thereof. As illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
It is also contemplated by the present invention to permit the corrugated material 202, 204 to be used together with the boxes that do contain ventilation holes as illustrated in
The configuration of the present invention affords an opportunity to utilize aisle ways in a freezer or to utilize an individual room in a freezer to blast freeze a commodity.
In the embodiment illustrated in
It is also contemplated by the present invention to permit the plastic formed spacers 302 to be used together with the boxes that do contain ventilation holes as illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
It is also contemplated by the present invention to permit the wood slat spacers 402 to be used together with the boxes that do contain ventilation holes as illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
A cover C is positioned to be placed on at least the top of the space S or on at least a portion of the top surface of the commodities for sealing the two rows of pallets along the top surface. In one embodiment, the cover C can also extend along end surfaces for sealing the two rows of pallets along the space S of the end surfaces. The cover C may be a flexible tarp for positioning on the top surface of the space S or on the top surface of the commodities that is sucked up tight to make a seal as air is pulled through the space S formed between the pallets and through the ventilation holes in the boxes stacked on the pallets. In another embodiment, the cover C may be a more rigid board material that is positioned on space S or on the top surface of the commodities.
As stated above, it is to be understood that the two rows of pallets 601A-610A and 601B-610B may be arranged in straight rows as illustrated in
A plenum P is formed between the two rows of the pallets 601A-610A and 601B-610B with the plurality of pallets being spaced apart 601A-610A and 601B-610B from adjacent pallets to permit a flow of air therebetween. The boxes of commodities positioned on the pallets include a plurality of ventilation holes for permitting air to be pulled through the boxes as the commodity is blast frozen.
The air handlers 600, 602 are positioned on top of and between the two rows of pallets to be in communication with the plenum P. The air handlers 600, 602 may be spaced along a length of the plenum P according to the needs of a particular freezing operation. As illustrated in
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method to freeze a commodity includes positioning a plurality of boxes of a commodity arranged in two rows with a space formed therebetween. Forming a plenum between the two rows of boxes to permit a flow of air through ventilation holes in the boxes. Forcing air in a normal freezer temperature range of approximately 8 degrees F. to −20 degrees F. (−13.33 degrees C. to −28.88 degrees C.) along a length of the space formed between the two rows and through the ventilation holes in the boxes and discharging the air therefrom and providing an even flow of air to evenly force air along the length of the space formed between the two rows of boxes and through the ventilation holes in the boxes to evenly freeze a commodity positioned in the boxes.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method to freeze a commodity includes the steps of providing a first and second box of a commodity being disposed adjacent to each other with a space formed therebetween. Forming a plenum between the first box and said second box to permit a flow of air through the boxes. Forcing air in a normal freezer temperature range of approximately 8 degrees F. to −20 degrees F. (−13.33 degrees C. to −28.88 degrees C.) along a length of the space formed between the first box and second box and through the first and second boxes and discharging the air therefrom and providing an even flow of air to evenly force air along the length of the space formed between the first and second boxes and through the first box and the second box to evenly freeze a commodity positioned in the boxes.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method to freeze a commodity includes the steps of providing a plurality of pallets of a commodity arranged in two rows having a predetermined length or height with a space formed therebetween. Providing ventilation spacers underneath at least adjacent boxes positioned on the pallets wherein ventilation is provided therebetween. Forming a plenum between said two rows of pallets wherein a flow of air is forced along the length of a space formed between the two rows of pallets and through the ventilation spacers disposed underneath the boxes on the pallets. Forcing air in a normal freezer temperature range of approximately 8 degrees F. to −20 degrees F. (−13.33 degrees C. to −28.88 degrees C.) along a length of the space formed between the two rows of pallets and through the ventilation spacer disposed underneath the boxes and discharging the air therefrom and providing an even flow of air to evenly force air along the length of the space formed between the two rows of pallets and through the ventilation spacers to evenly freeze a commodity positioned in the boxes on the pallets.
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A method to freeze a commodity comprising the following steps:
- positioning a plurality of boxes of a commodity arranged in two rows with a space formed therebetween;
- forming a plenum between said two rows of boxes to permit a flow of air through ventilation holes in the boxes;
- pulling air in a normal freezer temperature range of approximately 8 degrees F. to −20 degrees F. (−13.33 degrees C. to −28.88 degrees C.) through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along a length of the space formed between the two rows and discharging the air therefrom; and
- providing an even flow of air to evenly pull air through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows of boxes to evenly freeze a commodity positioned in the boxes.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said commodity is a food product.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the commodity is a food product and the method is performed in a normal freezer that is maintained at a temperature in a temperature range of approximately 8 degrees F. to −20 degrees F. (−13.33 degrees C. to −28.88 degrees C.).
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the air is pulled from approximately midway between the two rows of boxes for evenly pulling air through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows.
5. The method according to claim 1, and further including at least one air handler having a housing that includes a width that is approximately the size of a width of the two rows of boxes and a width of the plenum between the two rows of boxes of the commodity and at least one fan operatively connected to a motor disposed within the housing for pulling air through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows.
6. The method according to claim 1, and further including the step of providing a sealing cover on top of the space for sealing the space between the two rows of boxes to form the plenum, wherein the boxes are at least one box in width along the predetermined length or height.
7. The method according to claim 1, and further including the step of providing a cover for covering any space formed between adjacent boxes.
8. The method according to claim 1, and further including at least one air handler mounted above and in direct communication with the plenum and at least one fan operatively connected to a motor disposed within the at least one air handler for pulling air through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows.
9. The method according to claim 1, and further including two or more air handlers, each air handler being mounted above and in direct communication with the plenum, each air handler being positioned along the rows of boxes and at least one fan being operatively connected to a motor disposed within the two or more air handlers for pulling air through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows.
10. The method according to claim 6, and further including the step of extending the sealing cover along an end surface of the space for sealing the space between the two rows of boxes to form the plenum.
11. A method to freeze a commodity comprising the following steps:
- providing a first box of a commodity;
- providing a second box of a commodity;
- providing said first and second boxes being disposed adjacent to each other with a space formed therebetween;
- forming a plenum between said first box and said second box to permit a flow of air through the boxes;
- pulling air in a normal freezer temperature range of approximately 8 degrees F. to −20 degrees F. (−13.33 degrees C. to −28.88 degrees C.) through the boxes and along a length of the space formed between the first box and second box and discharging the air therefrom; and
- providing an even flow of air to evenly pull air through the first box and the second box and along the length of the space formed between the first and second boxes to evenly freeze a commodity positioned in the boxes.
12. A method to freeze a commodity comprising the following steps:
- providing a plurality of pallets of a commodity arranged in two rows having a predetermined length or height with a space formed therebetween;
- providing ventilation spacers underneath at least adjacent boxes positioned on the pallets wherein ventilation is provided therebetween;
- forming a plenum between said two rows of pallets wherein a flow of air is pulled through the ventilation spacers disposed underneath the boxes on the pallets;
- pulling air in a normal freezer temperature range of approximately 8 degrees F. to −20 degrees F. (−13.33 degrees C. to −28.88 degrees C.) through the ventilation spacer disposed underneath the boxes and along a length of the space formed between the two rows and discharging the air therefrom; and
- providing an even flow of air to evenly pull air through the ventilation spacers and along the length of the space formed between the two rows of pallets to evenly freeze a commodity positioned in the boxes on the pallets.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said commodity is a food product.
14. The method according to claim 12, and further including at least one air handler having a housing that includes a width that is approximately the size of a width of the two rows of pallets and the width of the plenum between the two rows of pallets of the commodity and at least one fan operatively connected to a motor disposed within the housing for pulling air through the ventilation spacers positioned underneath at least adjacent boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows.
15. The method according to claim 12, and further including the step of providing a sealing cover on top of the space for sealing the space between the two rows of pallets to form the plenum.
16. The method according to claim 12, and further including the step of providing a cover for covering any space formed between adjacent boxes.
17. The method according to claim 12, and further including at least one air handler mounted above and in direct communication with the plenum and at least one fan operatively connected to a motor disposed within the at least one air handler for pulling air through the ventilation spacers underneath at least adjacent boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows.
18. The method according to claim 12, and further including two or more air handlers, each air handler being mounted above and in direct communication with the plenum, each air handler being positioned along the rows of boxes and at least one fan being operatively connected to a motor disposed within the two or more air handlers for pulling air through the ventilation spacers underneath at least adjacent boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows.
19. The method according to claim 15, and further including the step of extending the sealing cover along an end surface of the space for sealing the space between the two rows of boxes to form the plenum.
20. The method according to claim 12, wherein said ventilation spacers are constructed of corrugated material.
21. The method according to claim 12, wherein said ventilation spacers are constructed of wood slats.
22. The method according to claim 12, wherein said ventilation spacers are constructed of plastic material.
23. A method to freeze a commodity comprising the following steps:
- providing a plurality of pallets of a commodity arranged in two rows having a predetermined length or height with a space formed therebetween;
- providing ventilation spacers underneath at least adjacent boxes positioned on the pallets wherein ventilation is provided therebetween;
- forming a plenum between said two rows of pallets wherein a flow of air is forced through the ventilation spacers disposed underneath the boxes on the pallets;
- forcing air in a normal freezer temperature range of approximately 8 degrees F. to −20 degrees F. (−13.33 degrees C. to −28.88degrees C.) along a length of the space formed between the two rows and through the ventilation spacer disposed underneath the boxes and discharging the air therefrom; and
- providing an even flow of air to evenly force air along the length of the space formed between the two rows of pallets and through the ventilation spacers to evenly freeze a commodity positioned in the boxes on the pallets.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 5, 2012
Publication Date: Dec 27, 2012
Inventors: Gerald P. TIPPMANN (Fort Wayne, IN), Vincent P. Tippmann, JR. (Fort Wayne, IN)
Application Number: 13/603,870