Abstract: A conveyor belt is arranged in tiers at spiral stack conveyor unit. A ceiling is positioned over the spiral stack(s). A circulation fan draws thermal processing medium laterally from the tiers of the spiral stack, up the exterior of the stack and across the ceiling and through a heat exchanger. The treated thermal processing medium is then routed across the remainder of the diameter of the spiral stack and then down the side of the spiral stack diametrically opposite to the circulating fan to enter the spiral stack in a lateral direction diametrically toward the circulating fan. The thermal processing medium flows into an opening formed in the ceiling downstream of the heat exchanger and into the interior of the conveyor drive hub and then into the spiral stack through openings in the drive hub outer wall.

Abstract: Particulate material is cooled by passing into the material a coolant stream of liquid nitrogen having a gaseous product around at least a portion of the liquid nitrogen, wherein the coolant stream is formed outside the particulate material in a nozzle body from which the coolant stream is passed into the particulate material.

Abstract: A device that can be used to store blood product and/or cellular culture that may or may not be under pressure. The device includes a chamber that can be hermetically sealed and a flexible secondary bag which can be placed in the chamber. The chamber is designed to receive at least one secondary bag that contains a conventional storage bag containing blood product and/or cellular culture. The storage conditions are created in the chamber and may or may not include 1) creating a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, 2) creating a refrigerated temperature, and/or 3) providing agitation to the secondary bag. The secondary bag is filled with a gas system that is used to facilitate in the storage of the blood product and/or cellular culture. The secondary bag can be made of a material and/or include a coating or film that is impermeable to the gas system and to the gas inside the chamber.

Abstract: A method of preparing and storing a free-flowing frozen supplementary product, including preparing a supplementary composition for freezing, dripping the supplementary composition into a freezing chamber, freezing the dripped supplementary composition into beads, and transporting the frozen beads by conveyor belt out of the freezing chamber.

Abstract: Particulate material is cooled by passing into the material a coolant stream of liquid nitrogen having a gaseous product around at least a portion of the liquid nitrogen, wherein the coolant stream is formed outside the particulate material in a nozzle body from which the coolant stream is passed into the particulate material.

Abstract: A spiral conveyor system including a tank for containing a liquid at a predetermined temperature therein. A conveyor conveys items through the liquid. A guiding structure is disposed in the tank for guiding the conveyor in a spiral-type fashion. The spiral conveyor system further comprises means for securing the items while being conveyed through the liquid.

Abstract: Drive drum bars (54) are mounted on the drive drum frame (52) of a drive drum tower (50). The drive drum bar has an “open” construction having backing frame (56) to which is mounted a cap (58) for bearing against the side of a conveyor being powered by the drive drum tower.

Abstract: Methods, processes, apparatus, devices, kits and systems for crystallizing liquid to form slush inside of supercooled to below 32 F closed beverage bottles or cans, beverages in fountain dispensers, desserts, and food items by transmitting ultrasonic signals in short time spans, while allowing for optional illuminating the effects when the supercooled liquid is crystallized into slush.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for cooling a plurality of preforms made of thermoplastic material which continuously move on a conveyor belt. The apparatus includes a cylindrical casing with a vertical extension formed by two coaxial cylinders, such a casing contains a guide crossed by a chain or a cable for transporting the preforms therein. The guide, which forms a closed path, comprises a first helical stretch, which raises from the lower plane starting from a station in which the preforms coming from a conveying device are hooked by the chain or by the cable, a second straight stretch, which returns the preforms to the lower plane once they have reached the upper plane, and a third flat stretch at the height of the lower plane, which returns the preforms to the arrival station. The helical stretch of the guide is contained within a cooling tunnel formed in the gap between the two walls of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder of said casing.

Abstract: Poultry carcasses are chilled rapidly when exposed to a flow of gaseous air at a temperature in the range from about ?50° C. to about ?120° C. for a period of time in the range from about 1 s to about 60 s. The flow is directed over and into the body cavity of the carcasses. The carcasses are orientated in the flow such that the sternum of each carcass faces downstream. One advantage of the process is that the number of viable microorganisms present on the carcasses is reduced significantly while avoiding freeze-damage to the carcasses.

Abstract: A reconfigurable freezer includes a housing having an internal space therein, and first and second openings each in communication with said internal space; and an infeed assembly and an outfeed assembly, the infeed assembly constructed to be removably mounted to the housing at one of the first and second openings for being in communication with said internal space, and the outfeed assembly constructed to be removably mounted to another of the first and second openings for being in communication with said internal space, wherein the infeed and outfeed assemblies are interchangeable at the first and second openings.

Abstract: Methods, processes, apparatus, kits and systems for chilling and cooling bottled or canned beverages, desserts, and food items to selected desired temperatures by rapidly rotating and counter-rotating the bottled or canned beverages, desserts, and food items that are immersed in cooled liquids in short time spans.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus which has a filtration chamber, and the filtration chamber has a fluid inlet, a filtered fluid outlet, a residue outlet, and a filtering element. The filtering element is situated between the fluid inlet and the filtered fluid outlet. The apparatus also includes a wiping member which is situated within, or about, the filtering element and which is adapted to wipe the surface of the filtering element. The wiping member also wipes any residue toward the residue outlet when the apparatus is in use. The filtration apparatus includes a first pumping configured to create a flow toward the filtering chamber, and a second pumping situated within the filtering chamber and configured to induce a counter-flow back toward the first pumping.

Abstract: An auger-type poultry chiller having an auger with multiple long-pitch auger blades. The blades of the auger create pockets that spiral around the auger shaft and extend the length of the auger. While the product in the chiller is locked into a certain pocket, it is not locked into a certain spot lengthwise in the chiller. The product, therefore, is able to distribute evenly along the length of the chiller within its pocket even if there are gaps in loading time or if unloading stops momentarily.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ice bucket for a refrigerator and methods of using the same. The ice bucket is mounted on a door of the refrigerator and includes a platform that is movable along a vertical axis from a lowered position at a bottom portion of the ice bucket to a raised position at a top portion of the ice bucket.

Abstract: A packaged beverage temperature adjustment apparatus includes: a temperature adjustment section configured to hold a packaged beverage, and adjust a temperature of the packaged beverage; and a rotation driving section configured to rotate the temperature adjustment section, the temperature adjustment section including at least one temperature adjustment unit abutting on a side face of the packaged beverage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a defrosting apparatus comprising a vessel which is partially filled with the product to be defrosted and which rotates and/or comprises means to move the product during defrosting.

Abstract: A cooling tunnel includes an infeed port for feeding objects, a discharge port for discharging objects, successive treatment stations for treating the objects with a cooling medium, and a conveyor system for transporting the objects to be cooled from the infeed port to the discharge port, with the conveyor system travelling through the individual treatment stations. The conveyor system has a first section running through several treatment stations, the first section extending from the infeed port to a turnaround station, a second section running through several treatment stations, the second section extending from the turnaround station to the discharge port, as well as a return section, which is arranged before the discharge port and connects a discharge-side zone of the second section with an infeed-side zone of the first section, to selectively either discharge objects or to cool them further. A method for operating a cooling tunnel is also provided.

Abstract: A freezer that uses liquid cryogen as a refrigerant includes an inner vessel defining a storage chamber and an outer jacket generally surrounding the inner vessel so that an insulation space is defined there between. A heat exchanger is positioned in a top portion of the storage chamber and has an inlet in communication with a supply of the liquid cryogen refrigerant so that the liquid cryogen refrigerant selectively flows through the heat exchanger to cool the storage chamber while being vaporized. A purge line is in communication with the outlet of the heat exchanger and includes a purge outlet positioned over the exterior of the heat exchanger. A purge valve is positioned within the purge line so that the vaporized liquid cryogen from the heat exchanger is selectively directed to the exterior of the heat exchanger to reduce ice formation on the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing and dispensing a flavored ice beverage and a method of using thereof. The apparatus includes at least one container for holding flavor ingredients, a blending unit including a blender container and a blending mechanism, an ice flakes supplying unit, a mechanism for transferring the flavor ingredients to the blender container and a computerized control unit for controlling one or more aspects of the process of producing the ice beverage. The flavor ingredients can be in grain form, powder form or in liquid form.

Abstract: A storage-access apparatus includes a first support device including a first base; at least one first storage-access device and at least one first storage device, disposed on the first base and arranged in a first circle; a second support device including a second base; at least one second storage-access device and at least one second storage device, disposed on the second base and arranged in a second circle; and a transporting device, wherein the first storage-access device, the first storage device, the second storage-access device and the second storage device each has plural compartments, the transporting device corresponds to the compartments, and the first storage-access device and the first storage device can rotate relative to the second storage-access device and the second storage device. Accordingly, the storage-access apparatus can be employed in depositing and picking up products independently. Also disclosed is a storage system including, among others, the storage-access apparatus.

Abstract: An ice making apparatus for a refrigerator, in which an ice bank stores ice and has an opening that discharges ice on its one side. An ejector opens and closes the opening and is rotatably provided at the opening to also eject ice from the ice bank. After completion of an ice discharging operation, a sensor senses a relative position of the ejector against the ice bank and the ejector is controlled to close the opening to the extent necessary.

Abstract: A heat transfer system for refrigeration and/or heating of products includes a housing having an internal chamber, a baffle, a spiral pathway around the baffle, a gas flow pathway and a blower to circulate gas along the gas flow pathway. The baffle separates the chamber into upper and lower portions. The spiral pathway includes an upper spiral pathway within the upper portion, and a lower spiral pathway within the lower portion. The gas flow pathway includes an upper gas flow pathway across the upper spiral pathway and a lower gas flow pathway across the lower spiral pathway in which gas flow in the upper and lower gas flow pathways defines a circulation loop. The width of the upper gas flow pathway and upper spiral pathway are similar, and the width of the lower gas flow pathway and lower spiral pathway are similar.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling cassette magazines containing tissue samples is described. The apparatus comprises a housing, a cooling device, and a transport apparatus for transporting one or more cassette magazines within the housing. The cassette magazines are introduced into the apparatus via an input chute and can be removed via an output chute.

Abstract: An ice making assembly includes a mold configured for forming an ice cube. The mold has a base, a side wall, and an opening in the side wall spaced from the base. An auger has a shaft with a proximal end above and outside of the mold, a distal end within the mold, and a central section between the distal end and the proximal end and extending through the opening. The auger further has a threaded portion configured for moving the ice cube out of the mold through the opening via rotation of the auger. A motor may be located above the mold and attached to the proximal end of the shaft for rotating the auger to lift the ice cube from the mold. The ice cubes may be formed with a gap and a splitter may split the ice cubes at the gap.

Abstract: The rocker chiller 10 includes a semi-cylindrical tank 12 filled with heat exchanging liquid and a baffle assembly 18 that rocks back and forth across the bottom wall of the tank. The baffle 26 of the baffle assembly 18 defines baffle openings 29 that are sized and shaped to pass the heat exchanging liquid through the openings in response to the rocking of the baffle, but small enough so that the baffle engages and retards the movement of at least some of the carcasses from moving through the baffle, thereby massaging the carcasses and increasing the moisture retained in the carcasses.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system for storing chemical and biological samples includes freezer chests maintained at an ultra-low temperature (e.g. ?80° C.) or a cryogenic temperature. The freezer chests are located within a refrigerated (e.g. ?20° C.) enclosure. Samples are loaded through a wall of the enclosure and are then transferred to an input/output buffer section in an ultra-low temperature or cryogenic freezer chest that is thermally segregated from a long-term storage section in the same freezer. Specialized input/output cassettes are used for transferring the samples through an input/output module into the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for making and dispensing frozen aerated products includes a rotating horizontal freeze plate with an upper surface for receiving a chilled aerated mix. The chilled aerated mix includes, in one embodiment, ice cream base that has been sufficiently aerated, and flavor. The apparatus further includes a scraper for scraping frozen aerated mix off of the rotating freeze plate. The scraper includes a body that forms an elongated semi-cylindrical channel. The apparatus also includes a plow for pushing the scraped, frozen and aerated mix through the channel towards a cup held by a cup lifter disposed at an end of the channel. The action of the plow pushes the scraped frozen aerated mix through the channel and into the cup resulting in a generally round scoop of scraped frozen aerated mix in the cup that resembles a serving scoop experienced at a traditional ice cream shop.

Abstract: A weighing type ice vending machine includes an ice cube formation device installed in a machine body for supplying a specific weight of ice cubes after coins are inputted, and a body composed of a storage bucket, an output device, a weight sensing module and a control loop. Pure water is put into an ice tray in the machine body and condensed into ice cubes which are gathered into a storage bucket for a cold storage. A user puts a user's container on a weighing scale of the weight sensing module at an outlet of the machine body outlet and inserts coins whose dollar amount information is displayed. The quantity of outputted ice cubes is calculated and outputted automatically, and then the ice supply is stopped. The quantity of remained ice cubes in the machine body is recorded automatically, such that the ice cube will be produced again timely and the supply of ice cubes will be stopped temporarily.

Abstract: An ice dispensing apparatus is described which is capable of dispensing free ice or ice in a sealed bag. The apparatus has an ice manufacturing zone capable of converting incoming water to ice. An ice storage zone receives the ice from the ice manufacturing zone. An ice distribution zone has a distributor capable of receiving the ice from the ice storage zone and distributing the ice to a free ice chute or an ice bagging station wherein the free ice chute discharges ice to an exterior receptacle. The ice bagging station has a bag funnel capable of receiving ice and passing the ice in a downward flow of predetermined size. A bag storage device stores multiple bags prior to use. A bag grabbing device removes a bag from the bag storage device and bag filling hold the bag with a mouth opened to a size which is at least as large as the predetermined size whereby the ice passing through the bag funnel is collected in the bag. Bag closing pins hold the bag with the mouth in an orientation for sealing.

Abstract: An apparatus and refrigerator for creating ice pellets is disclosed. The apparatus and refrigerator include a compartment, an ice storage bin positioned in the compartment and configured to store whole ice cubes therein, and a pellet ice dispenser. The pellet ice dispenser includes a first motor, a first axle drivingly connected to a shaft of the first motor, a first ice cube auger drivingly connected to the first axle, a blade downstream of the first ice cube auger and configured to shave whole ice cubes into ice pieces, and an ice pelleter. The ice pelleter includes an extrusion die disposed downstream of the blade, a shaved ice auger disposed between the blade and the extrusion die and configured to move and compress the ice pieces through the extrusion die to form pellet ice.

Abstract: An automated freezer stores food items stacked in a removable cartridge. The food items are dispensed from the automated freezer in response to a request for the food items. The food items are loaded into the cartridge outside of the automated freezer. When the cartridge is inserted into the automated freezer, the upper end of the cartridge is inserted into a buffer, pushing a plurality of arms in the buffer upwardly to allow food items to pass through the buffer. When the cartridge is removed from the freezer for reloading of food items, a resilient member biases the arms downwardly to retain any food items in the buffer and to prevent any food items in the buffer from falling.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a housing having a top, a bottom, first and second opposed sides, and containing an atmosphere; a conveyor apparatus including a self-stacking, self-supported, spiral conveyor belt and a drive mechanism, wherein the conveyor belt includes a plurality of tiers and is at least partially disposed within the housing such that the conveyor belt can travel within the housing from the bottom towards the top of the housing or from the top towards the bottom of the housing; and an atmosphere circulation apparatus having at least one blower in communication with the atmosphere for circulating at least a portion of the atmosphere within the housing from proximate the first opposed side to the second opposed side and back towards the first opposed side, wherein the portion of the atmosphere circulated passes over the conveyor belt in a crossflow manner at least once.

Abstract: A method of cooling foodstuff comprises immersing at least one perforated container containing foodstuff into an ice slurry bath for a period of time sufficient to allow ice slurry to enter the at least one perforated container and then subsequently removing the at least one perforated container from the ice slurry bath. Various apparatuses for cooling foodstuff are also provided.

Abstract: The machine for the production of ice, comprises a tubular pipe to form the ice, covered by a refrigerator group evaporator, and having an auger inside to move the ice towards the delivery outlet, associated with a ring nut having a plurality of drawing holes arranged angularly spaced along a circumference, the delivery outlet of the tubular pipe is associated with the terminal inlet of the conveyor of ice, having a substantially upward axial extension and a terminal outlet part positioned at a level substantially higher than the top of the machine.

Abstract: A low profile ice maker/dispenser and water dispenser having a high ice making capacity, for ice nugget manufacture is provided, wherein ice nuggets are metered out of a storage bin via a nugget dispenser outlet, and whereby water is dispensed via a water dispenser outlet. A refrigeration cycle is used, wherein an auger compresses ice on a wall of an evaporator and delivers the ice to the ice bin, breaking it into nuggets along the way. An outer wall of the evaporator is comprised of part of the water reservoir. A baffle in the ice bin facilitates metering of the amount of ice discharged. The system comprises a closed system that enables efficient cleaning of the system.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system stores containers, typically containing biological or chemical samples, at ultra-low temperatures, i.e., from about ?50° C. to about ?90° C., preferably about ?80° C. under normal operating conditions. Dry gas air flows are used to reduce moisture and the consequential frost within the freezer compartment. A custom insulated door is provided with an access module and a tube picking compartment as well as servo motors for controlling a robot within the ultra-low temperature freezer compartment. The robot automatically places sample storage containers in stationary storage racks within the freezer compartment. Magnetic couplings are used to transmit mechanical power from outside of the freezer compartment to the robot inside of the freezer compartment. The robot has a simplified mechanical configuration. The custom door can be readily attached to standard freezer bodies.

Abstract: A bottom mount household refrigerator is provided with an apparatus to permit the dispensing of ice. According to one embodiment, a sealed ice making compartment is provided within the fresh food compartment. The sealed ice making compartment may be located at the bottom, at the top, or along a side wall within the fresh food compartment. According to another embodiment, ice is made in the ice compartment, and lifted upward to a dispensing location through the door of the fresh food compartment.

Abstract: A compact rapid liquid chilling apparatus and method are provided. A liquid is placed in a container having an inherent void volume. The housing includes a container-securing space dimensioned to receive ice and maintain substantially all of the ice atop the container placed therein and in thermal communication with the container without allowing substantially any of the ice to fall below the container. A rotating mechanism disposed in the housing rotates the container placed in the container-securing space. As the ice melts as it chills the rotating container, the resulting water falls freely below the container as substantially all of the unmelted ice remains above the container. A lid preferably closes around the container to form a portion of the container-securing space when closed. The lid preferably includes an ice supply window, and an ice measuring bin preferably is attachable to the window.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing products by chilling or freezing includes a conveyor for conveying the products along a plane of travel; lifting means disposed for intermittent contact with the conveyor during processing; cam means rotatable for contacting and displacing the lifting means to contact and displace the conveyor from the plane of travel, thereby displacing the products on the conveyor to prevent the products from adhering to the conveyor and other of the products; and drive means operatively associated with the cam means to impart rotational movement to the cam means for intermittently contacting and displacing the lifting means.

Abstract: In a cooling device for cooling an object to be cooled without using a forced cold air circulating system, which circulates cold air forcibly, a cooling device at a practical level is provided, and a cooling device capable of achieving a sufficient cooling effect is provided. A cooler 18 is provided in an interior that is insulated adiabatically from an exterior, a cooling fan 20 is disposed on a front surface of the cooler 18, a cooling chamber 22 in which an object to be cooled is placed is defined by a space in front of the cooling fan 20, a cooled air behind the cooling fan 20 is drawn with the fan and allowed to flow into the cooling chamber 22, and a/D=½ to ¼ is satisfied, where a indicates a dimension of a gap between the cooler 18 and the cooling fan 20 along a front-back direction and D indicates a diameter of the cooling fan 20.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing products by chilling or freezing includes a conveyor for conveying the products along a plane of travel; lifting means disposed for intermittent contact with the conveyor during processing; cam means rotatable for contacting and displacing the lifting means to contact and displace the conveyor from the plane of travel, thereby displacing the products on the conveyor to prevent the products from adhering to the conveyor and other of the products; and drive means operatively associated with the cam means to impart rotational movement to the cam means for intermittently contacting and displacing the lifting means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for freezing articles, that comprises a conveyor with a porous belt maintained in position inside the device by drums, and a means for impregnating the belt of said conveyor with a cryogenic liquid, wherein the impregnation of the belt is carried out by partially or totally immersing the belt in a bath of cryogenic liquid, characterised in that it comprises a means for pressing the belt of the conveyor onto one of said drums.

Abstract: A weighing type ice vending machine includes an ice cube formation device installed in a machine body for supplying a specific weight of ice cubes after coins are inputted, and a body composed of a storage bucket, an output device, a weight sensing module and a control loop. Pure water is put into an ice tray in the machine body and condensed into ice cubes which are gathered into a storage bucket for a cold storage. A user puts a user's container on a weighing scale of the weight sensing module at an outlet of the machine body outlet and inserts coins whose dollar amount information is displayed. The quantity of outputted ice cubes is calculated and outputted automatically, and then the ice supply is stopped. The quantity of remained ice cubes in the machine body is recorded automatically, such that the ice cube will be produced again timely and the supply of ice cubes will be stopped temporarily.

Abstract: The apparatus for receiving, preserving and supplying bags of blood comprises a cabinet for containing all the components of the apparatus; a refrigerated space for containing the bags; a magazine comprising a plurality of cells, each capable of containing a single bag, the magazine being housed inside the refrigerated space, each of the cells being identified by a cell code; at least one door for allowing access by an operator to the cells; a movement system housed inside the cabinet and capable of moving, preferably rotating, the cells; a cooling system housed inside the cabinet and capable of cooling the refrigerated space; a data processing system housed inside the cabinet, capable of controlling the movement system and the cooling system, and capable of controlling the receiving, preservation and supply of the bags; a keyboard and a screen, both connected to the processing system, and both placed at the walls of the cabinet.

Abstract: The machine for the production of ice, comprises a tubular pipe to form the ice, covered by a refrigerator group evaporator, and having an auger inside to move the ice towards the delivery outlet, associated with a ring nut having a plurality of drawing holes arranged angularly spaced along a circumference, the delivery outlet of the tubular pipe is associated with the terminal inlet of the conveyor of ice, having a substantially upward axial extension and a terminal outlet part positioned at a level substantially higher than the top of the machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing and dispensing a flavored ice beverage and a method of using thereof. The apparatus includes at least one container for holding flavor ingredients, a blending unit including a blender container and a blending mechanism, an ice flakes supplying unit, a mechanism for transferring the flavor ingredients to the blender container and a computerized control unit for controlling one or more aspects of the process of producing the ice beverage. The flavor ingredients can be in grain form, powder form or in liquid form.

Abstract: An ice bank of a refrigerator is provided. The ice bank includes an ice accommodation chamber storing ice pieces made by an ice maker, and an ice pressing unit circulating the ice pieces by pressing the ice pieces for preventing sticking of the ice pieces in the ice accommodation chamber.

Abstract: An ice dispenser having a safety apparatus is disclosed. The ice dispenser includes a bin for storing ice to be dispensed; a chute in communication with the bin; a device for at least one of crushing the ice and moving the ice from the bin to the chute; a controller for activating the device in response to a dispensing signal; and a safety apparatus configured to determine a presence of an object in the chute and to provide an indication responsive to the determined presence to the controller. The controller deactivates the device after receiving the indication. A refrigerator incorporating such an ice dispenser is also disclosed.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a sensing system for detecting quality of ice cubes in an ice cube storage bin. The system includes a digital image capture device coupled to a digital image analyzing system which captures digital images of the ice cube storage bin intermittently. The digital images are processed to determine a centroid of the ice mass within the bin, and the centroid is analyzed to determine whether it is located outside a predetermined acceptable boundary. A centroid outside of the acceptable range indicates an ice clumping situation. Additionally, the digital images are analyzed to determine whether ice cubes are smaller than a predetermined minimal acceptable size in order to detect stale ice. The level of ice in the bin can also be determined from the images. Notifications for clumping, stale and/or low level ice are sent to a user interface.