Abstract: A method and apparatus for the conduct of a continuous process in which commodities packed in light weight containers receive thermal treatment, such as sterilization or cooking, and are thereafter cooled in a hydrostatic cooling tower. The cooling tower is divided into a plurality of sections in each of which apparatus is provided for the independent control of fluid pressure and fluid temperature therein. The containers are conducted through the system by means of a conveyor that is arranged in each cooling tower section for the vertical displacement of the conveyor course through the sections, whereby the cooling ramp of the respective containers can be effectively regulated.

Abstract: A device for and a method of producing hyperfine frozen particles reduces the quantity of impurity particles in the hyperfine frozen particles produced and stabilizes the generation of hyperfine frozen particles. A hopper includes a heat exchanger through which a coolant, such as nitrogen gas or liquid nitrogen, is circulated. A nitrogen gas inlet through which low temperature nitrogen gas as a coolant is supplied includes a filter to produce a laminar flow of the gas.

Abstract: A storage apparatus comprises a housing for defining a cryogenic storage unit and a plurality of low-temperature chambers disposed one next to the other, the housing including partitions for separating the chambers from one another. Temperature controls for controlling temperature independently in each of the chambers is operatively connected to each of the chambers. Each one of the chambers has access to at least one other chamber contiguous with the one chamber. Supports are provided for holding a plurality of specimens within each chamber. A conveyor or transfer mechanism is provided for transfering selected specimens between contiguous chambers, independently of other specimens in the housing. In addition, access is provided to the housing to enable deposition and removal of given specimens from the housing.

Abstract: A food freezer for continuous freezing of food products utilizing a helical conveyor for transporting the food products through an enclosure having a first cooling zone in which the food products are cooled sufficiently to freeze the exterior surface, and a second cooling zone in which the interior of the food products are frozen. Refrigeration apparatus cools an atmosphere gas within the enclosure and baffle means directs the coldest gas through the food products in the first cooling zone and the gas from the first cooling zone is circulated to the second cooling zone where it passes across the food products in a direction opposite to the direction of travel through the second cooling zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for freezing of food products comprises an insulated housing, an endless, foraminous conveyor belt following a helical path for forming a belt pile having several tiers in the housing, and helical rail means for supporting the conveyor belt at one side thereof along the helical path. Cooled air is circulated through the belt pile. Nozzles for ejecting cooled, pressurized air are positioned between the tiers of the belt pile, such that a plurality of air jets are ejected from the nozzles for impinging upon both a top side and a bottom side of food products carried by the conveyor belt past the nozzles.

Abstract: A pelletizer for making pellets from a liquid or semi-liquid food product has two molding rolls between which the food product is formed into pellets. The rolls have teeth of complementary shape, and the teeth of at least one roll have axially spaced apart recesses. The rolls are cooled with a refrigerant during the molding operation. By the means of the pelletizer, frozen pellets are made from a liquid or semi-liquid food product which, prior to molding, is refrigerated into moldable consistency before being supplied to the nip between the two cooperating molding rolls which are cooled during the molding operation so as to form surface-frozen pellets which are thereafter subjected to final freezing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cryogenic freezer and method using a freezing chamber within which articles are cooled under the direct application of a cryogen, causing the cryogen to vaporize into a cryogenic vapor. The freezing chamber has inlet and outlet plenums through which articles to be frozen are passed into and from the freezing chamber, respectively. The liquid cryogen is introduced from a make-up tank into the freezing chamber and into direct contact with the articles to be frozen. Conduits connect the inlet and outlet plenums to a blower that draws air from outside the freezing chamber and the cryogenic vapor from inside the freezing chamber to prevent air from entering the freezing chamber. The cryogenic vapor is drawn from an outlet in the freezing chamber to a recovery unit to be compressed, purified and liquefied. The resulting liquid cryogen is then fed back to the make-up tank.

Abstract: A food products chiller and method of using the same as provided. The chiller includes a container for receiving and holding the food product, a cooling station for cooling liquid coolant, an ultraviolet radiation station for reducing the microbial contaminants in the coolant, and a circulation system for circulating the coolant from the cooling station to the container, from the container to the ultraviolet radiation station, and from the ultraviolet radiation station to the cooling station for reintroduction into the container for cooling additional food products. In the chilling method, the food products are chilled by exposure to the coolant liquid as the drum rotates. The liquid is drained from the drum, filtered and subjected to ultraviolet radiation so as to kill the microbial contaminants in the coolant. The coolant is then recirculated to the cooling station for re-cooling and re-introduction into the drum for chilling additional food products.

Abstract: A method used in low temperature storage of biological specimens comprises the steps of (a) maintaining a multiplicity of biological specimens within a predetermined low temperature range in a cryogenic storage unit, (b) selecting at least one biological specimen for removal from the storage unit, (c) determining a respective thaw period and thaw rate for the selected specimen, (d) automatically retrieving the selected specimen from the storage unit at removal time in accordance with the respective determined thaw period, and (e) automatically thawing the selected specimen at the respective thaw rate. An associated thawing system comprises a storage unit for maintaining a plurality of biological specimens within a predetermined low temperature range, a plurality of thawing chambers, and a heat exchange assembly for implementing a temperature change in each of the chambers independently of temperature changes in the other chambers.

Abstract: Combined cryogenic and mechanical refrigeration freezer utilizing an open spiral conveyor for transporting food to be frozen through a first cryogenic zone enclosed by a secondary housing and then through a mechanically refrigerated zone subjected to circulating air cooled by mechanical refrigeration and cryogenic vapor from the first cryogenic zone.

Abstract: Improving the connective heat transfer of a tunnel type cryogenic freezer by positioning the circulating fan blades upside down and closer to the articles moving through the tunnel.

Abstract: In a method for freezing the surface of one of a food product, the product is placed on a supporting structure (1). This has previously been given such a low temperature that the product when contacting the supporting structure will not freeze on to it. The product is maintained on the supporting structure for a sufficient time to cause at least its surface layer nearest the supporting structure to pass into the frozen state. An arrangement for carrying out the method comprises, in addition to the supporting structure, also means for imparting to it the low temperature, such as means (2-4) for supplying a cooling agent to the underside of the supporting structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for freezing foodstuffs includes a drum 1 mounted for rotary movement at an angle to the horizontal such that individual compartments 12 in the drum 1 successively descend into and rise from a vessel 11 containing cryogenic fluid. Frozen products tumble under gravity towards a central outlet 5 in one surface 4 of the drum, guided by the curved partitions 14 defining individual compartments 12.

Abstract: The invention relates to the cooling of hot, layered, granular material supported on an air permeable grate through which cooling air passes constantly. Some zones of the material layer have a higher temperature than other zones. Pulses of additional cooling air are passed through the higher temperature zones at such velocity as to enhance cooling and to relayer the material at such zones. In this way the degree of recuperation of the grate cooler can be substantially improved.

Abstract: A cooling tunnel for baked tortillas and the like, the tunnel having a housing defining a cooling space, an aperatured product conveyor for moving the product to be cooled through the cooling space, means for moving cooling gas over the tortillas in the cooling space, closed loop flexible hold down chains, supports for positioning the hold down chains in the cooling space for resting on the conveyor, and a drive for moving the hold down chains through the cooling space along with the conveyor with the tortillas between the hold down chains and the conveyor.

Abstract: A method for the cooling of a heated, e.g. heat-sterilized, flow containing particles of foodstuff character is disclosed. The flow is separated into a high particle flow, and a low particle flow which is cooled separately from the high particle flow and is used later as a cooling medium for the cooling of the high particle flow. The method can be used in aseptic packaging wherein a heat-treated, cooled foodstuff product, e.g. fruit soup, vegetable soup, meat broth, etc., is packed in sterilized packing containers, or in packing containers manufactured from sterilized packing material, under aseptic packing conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for chilling and shrinking workpieces being conveyed to a workstation on an assembly line comprises, a chilling chamber, a conveyer for transporting workpieces, at least one generally vertical conduit for transporting cryogenic liquid out of a bath to an outlet above the bath, wells for storing cryogenic fluid bath, baffles for slowing the counterflow of cryogenic vapor and a lid for maintaining vapor in the chilling chamber. The workpieces first go through the pre-cooling process where cryogenic vapor flows in a counterflow to chill the workpieces. The workpieces move through openings in the baffles, and after the pre-cooling process, the conveyer transports the workpieces to the cooling stage where baths of cryogenic liquid are stored in wells. Generally vertical conduits are immersed in the wells. The density of cryogenic fluid in the conduit is reduced by warm vapor, enabling the cryogen to flow up the conduit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the cooldown and steady-state operation of a tunnel type cryogenic freezer by providing auxiliary cryogen to one or more gas recirculating zones of the freezer and controlling the supply of the auxiliary cryogen by sensing the temperature of the gas recirculating zone and comparing the temperature to a pre-set level.

Abstract: A freezer (1) which comprises a drum (2) is characterized in that a cylinder (12) is disposed in said drum (2), and a fan (14) is provided for circulating cryogen through the space (20) between the outer surface of the cylinder (12) and the inner surface of the drum (2). The outer surface of the drum (2) is provided with a plurality of grooves (4) of parabolic cross-section. In use, droplets (23) of liquid egg are dropped on to the grooves (4) where they freeze individually. The frozen particles fall away from the drum as they approach the lowermost point of travel of the drum (2) and form an attractive granular product.

Abstract: A storage apparatus comprises a housing defining a plurality of chambers disposed one next to the other, the housing including partitions for separating the chambers from one another. Temperature control components are provided for controlling temperature independently in each of the chambers. Access openings are provided in the partitions between the chambers for enabling communication between each chamber and the chamber of chambers contiguous therewith. A support member movably supports a plurality of specimen-containing receptacles within the housing, while a drive is operatively connected to the support member for moving the receptacles from chamber to chamber through the access openings. An access door in the housing enables deposition and removal of a selected one of the receptacles from the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a frozen confection product from a liquid food substance comprises a gas port for selectively injecting gas from a pressurized source into the liquid food substance at an injection point to form a mixture, a freeze tube having an inlet end and an outlet end and having a substantially cylindrical wall for containing the mixture therein, a cooling circuit for cooling an external surface of the cylindrical wall, and a whipping auger disposed within the freeze tube for emulsifying the liquid food substance portion of the mixture with the gas portion thereof, the whipping auger propelling a first portion of the mixture in a helical pattern from the inlet end of the freeze tube toward the outlet end and for simultaneously propelling a second portion of the mixture in a direction from the outlet end toward the inlet end of the freeze tube.

Abstract: A food freezer having a thermally insulated enclosure and an endless conveyor having a loading section, a food freezing section and an unloading section. Blowers circulate gas throughout the interior of the enclosure, and devices for injecting liquid CO.sub.2 to preferably cause CO.sub.2 snow particles to impinge upon the food products on the belt are located at selected positions about the belt and may be at various vertical levels, some of which are preferably at least slightly above the belt. By piping the liquid CO.sub.2 so that it flows only upward and/or horizontally toward the spray nozzles within the thermally insulated enclosure, any solid CO.sub.2 that may accumulate adjacent the upstream side of the spray nozzle orifices is melted by CO.sub.2 vapor which gravitates upward in the vertical piping.

Abstract: A tunnel freezer comprises an elongate tunnel which is inclined to the horizontal and which can be rotated about its longitudinal axis. The inside of the tunnel is provided with a weir which retains a pool of liquid nitorgen between the weir and the upper end of the tunnel. Particles to be frozen are introduced into the tunnel on a conveyor and drop into the pool where they freeze substantially without aggregation. Rotation of the tunnel carries the particles out of the liquid nitrogen and through the remainder of the tunnel to the outlet end of the tunnel. The frozen particles and the nitrogen vapour from the tunnel pass through a common outlet which is provided with a pivoting plate which restricts the flow through the common outlet so that the tunnel operates at or slightly above atmospheric pressure thereby inhibiting ingress of moist air into the tunnel. Movement of particles through the tunnel is facilitated by lifting bars which form part of a liner which can be readily removed and replaced as desired.

Abstract: A freezing device having a substantially closed container is shown and described. The top part of the container has a feed opening and a discharge opening. These openings are located above a maximum level of cooling medium in a container, which cooling medium in a gaseous stage is heavier than air. A first tube extends through an additional opening in the top side of the container and forms an overflow. By means of this device, the level of the cooling medium is maintained constant in the container and excess cooling medium is removed by means of a second tube and pipe connected to it.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous freezing or heating process for multistage changing of the ambient temperature, in particular, an apparatus for a continuous freezing process, a freezing control method, and an apparatus for preparing a recording medium on which a program for the control method is written are disclosed.

Abstract: A cryogenic freezer having an insulated cabinet forming an interior vessel with a bottom and sloping sides. A shallow liquid nitrogen bath is maintained in the vessel at a predetermined level. A conveyor assembly having a medial portion shaped to conform to the profile of the vessel is pivotally mounted at one end so that the medial portion is submerged in liquid nitrogen. An endless conveyor belt is mounted on the conveyor assembly by means of support rollers and guides to maintain a tensioned relationship. A jack is provided on the conveyor assembly to rotate the assembly about its pivot. An exhaust system is connected to the cabinet to remove evolved nitrogen gas.

Abstract: Particulate granules of a high water content food such as cheese are frozen in a freezing chamber having a perforated bottom plate. The bottom plate is vibrated to develop an oscillating movement while simultaneously introducing a chilled gas through the perforated plate to partially levitate the granules as they are moved through the freezing chamber by the combined action of the oscillating bottom plate and the chilled gas.

Abstract: A cooling device which includes a conveyer belt to carry food products thereinto is provided with improvements in which a spraying device for spraying a cold salt solution onto the belt includes a first and second spraying unit provided above and below the conveyer belt so that a salt solution can be sprayed both directly onto the food products and onto the bottom side of the belt when the food products are covered or packaged, or sprayed onto the bottom side of the belt only when the food products are not covered or packaged. A secondary cooling unit operating with a cooling medium coming from an evaporator of the cooling device includes a tray-like member divided by a heat transfer plate into an upper chamber for receiving the salt solution after being sprayed and a lower chamber for receiving the cooling medium.

Abstract: A process for continuous cooling of an extruded product, wherein the product passes successively in its direction of movement in a tunnel through at least three cooling zones; an upstream zone for cooling by convection in which the gas and the product move countercurrently, a cooling zone by cryogenic fluid spraying on the product, and a downstream stabilization zone in which the gas and the product move concurrently.

Abstract: A closed pressure vessel is provided having a cryogenic liquid bath therein utilizing a bath liquid having a low boiling point temperature.

Abstract: A process for temperature treating a granular material such as sand by the use of ambient air moving through the material, as it drops under gravity from a screen, at a wind velocity high enough to invoke forced convection as an aid in accomplishing the temperature controlling function.

Abstract: A multi-tier refrigeration tunnel of modular construction, with lateral doors, in which fans are disposed between each tier, in which they are driven by shafts extending from ceiling to floor of the tunnel, and in which the shafts are driven by top mounted fan motors. A multi tier refrigeration tunnel, not of modular construction and without lateral doors, in which fans are disposed between each tier, in which the fans are driven by shafts extending from the floor of the tunnel and from the ceiling of the tunnel, in which the shafts are driven by top mounted and bottom mounted fan motors. A multi tier refrigeration tunnel, and by extension also a single tier refrigeration tunnel, in which two products of different required processing times can be processed simultaneously. A multi tier refrigeration tunnel, preferably without lateral doors but not necessarily, in which fans are disposed above the upper tier and in which fans are disposed next to, and to the side of, the lower tiers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling a strip of moving metal in a hot strip mill, or the like, is disclosed. The apparatus utilizes an infrared sensor for measuring a temperature profile across a transverse section of the strip. A coolant manifold is utilized to apply coolant to the metal strip after the temperature is measured from a plurality of independently controllable outlets in the manifold transversely spaced across the strip. A controller adjusts the flow of coolant of the outlets in response to the transverse temperature measurements to selectively cool the strip in order to establish an uniform temperature profile.

Abstract: Cryogenic apparatus and methods are disclosed which enable a substance to be frozen at a rapid rate thereby promoting the formation of a multitude of small ice crystals in the substance rather than a smaller number of large ice crystals. The method comprises circulating a cryogen around a closed canal. The canal is preferably partly immersed in a bath containing a liquid which boils at a temperature below the boiling point of the cryogen in the canal, and which preferably boils at a temperature below the freezing point of the cryogen in the canal. Means for sensing the temperature of the cryogen are provided, the temperature sensing means controlling a heater which maintains the temperature of the cryogen above its freezing point. The cryogen can circulate in a horizontal plane or in a vertical plane. Where the substance to be frozen comprises organic tissue, the cryogen preferably flows in a vertically arranged canal and the tissue is plunged countercurrent into upwardly flowing cryogen.

Abstract: Workpieces (e.g. valve seats, valve guides, or cylinder liners for an internal combustion engine) are chilled as they are supplied to a station on an assembly line, using a feeder/chiller that includes a passage to convey workpieces downwardly from a location at the top of the passage to an assembly line station. The chiller/feeder is fed cryogen from a reservoir of liquid cryogen. Because cryogen fluid (chilled nitrogen vapor) entering the passage is denser than air, downward flow of cryogen fluid must be restricted. For example, the passage includes a constriction below the position at which cryogen is fed to the passage. The constriction is configured and sized to allow workpieces to move through the constriction, yet the constriction is small enough to restrict the downward flow of cryogenic fluid when a workpiece is positioned in the constriction. Above the constriction, the cooling passage is large enough to allow sufficient clearance around workpieces to permit an upward flow of cryogenic fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling movement of the refrigerated atmosphere (e.g. gaseous cryogen) contained inside the insulated chamber of a spiral type freezer out of, or ambient atmosphere into, the lower opening of the freezer by establishing a positive pressure of ambient atmosphere adjacent the inlet opening of the freezer.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method and apparatus for cooling and freezing of organic-comprised articles which makes use of liquid cryogen and of chilled gases from a mechanical refrigeration system to provide an economical process for reducing the temperature of the article. The article is contacted with a liquid cryogen and subsequently contacted with circulating cold gases in the mechanical refrigeration system. The improvement relates to the method and apparatus for producing the cold gases which are used in the mechanical refrigeration system; the method comprises using the cryogen vapors generated upon contact of the articles with the liquid cryogen as an indirect heat exchange fluid for removing heat from heat exchange fluids used in the mechanical refrigeration system. This indirect heat transfer using cryogen vapors supplements cooling of the mechanical refrigeration system cold gases by the mechanical refrigeration system chiller.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus to be used in the cryogenic fast freezing of organic comprised articles such a biologicals and foodstuffs. The method enables control of the time-temperature profile of an article as it progresses through the freezing process, and thus provides the highest quality frozen article. The method requires at least two applications of liquid cryogen to the surface of the article during the freezing process, wherein the applications of liquid cryogen are spaced in time in a manner which essentially prevents thermal cracking and embrittlement of portions of the article, while simultaneously ensuring that a frozen crust which operates as a barrier to water conduction or transmission out of the article remains on the articles throughout the freezing process. In addition, the method and apparatus provide an improved efficiency of operation in terms of utilization of the cryogenic medium within the freezing process.

Abstract: A product conveyor for a processing chamber in use in a meat processing facility, where meat products are carried through the facility on carriers, and the conveyor for the processing chamber having trolleys with hooks, which engage the carriers carrying the products and lift the carriers off the carrier rail from the other facilities in the plant, and carry them through the processing chamber and then lower then down onto a further carrier rail for movement through the remainder of the facility, the hooks disengaging from the carriers which are then free to move.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sterilizing and chilling animal carcasses is provided comprising a tank for holding water, a means for cooling water in the tank, piping for carrying contaminated water out of the tank, a means for injecting ozone into the water of the apparatus, a means for purifying contaminated water in the piping, piping for returning purified water back to the tank and a means for decomposing gaseous ozone which escapes from the water in the tank before the gas is liberated into the atmosphere. The ozone destroys all forms of harmful microorganisms in the carcasses and the water. Because the water of the system is sterilized it can be disposed of easily.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling gaseous cryogen flow through a continuous tunnel type freezer wherein the cryogen and product to be frozen travel in counterflow heat exchange relation to minimize egress of cryogen from, or ingress of ambient air into the product discharge opening in the freezer.

Abstract: An improved animal by-products and hides chiller is provided for use in the packing plant for chilling fresh by-products and hides so that spoilage is minimized. The chiller generally includes a rotatable elongated tank having an inlet end for introducing the warm by-products or hides and an outlet end for removing the cooled by-products or hides from the tank. The side wall of the tank is void of apertures such that the need to clean the tank is minimized. As the tank rotates, baffle bars agitate the by-products or hides. The baffle bars are removably secured to the interior of the tank, and can be exchanged with other baffle bars so as to accommodate various types of by-products or hides being chilled. A strainer unit is positioned at the outlet end of the tank and receives the cooled by-products and the liquid coolant. The liquid coolant drains through a plurality of removable straining trays in a strainer unit so as to remove solids from the liquid.

Abstract: A chiller has a series of moving rakes for advancing poultry carcasses through a tank of chilling liquid for cooling the carcasses down to an acceptable temperature. The chiller includes a loader which permits loading of the carcasses into an end of the tank without subsequent damages to the carcasses by the rakes. The loader includes a gate which is biased open for permitting feeding of the carcasses through an inlet and onto a ramp in the loading end of the tank when the rakes are remote from the inlet, and is closed as the rakes approach the inlet so as to prevent pinching of the carcasses between the rakes and the ramp.

Abstract: The homogeneity of highly reactive polycondensates is improved in a process involving batch operations in a reactor, followed by extrusion and then cooling by a coolant to the point of solidification after which the polycondensates are milled and removed. The cooling is carried out with a low-boiling liquified gas.

Abstract: A food freezing tunnel has a trough member and a roof member. In order to gain access to the interior of the tunnel, for example for purposes of cleaning the tunnel, the trough member is able to be raised and lowered. Jack means housed in the respective legs of the tunnel are driven by for example an electric motor to lower and raise the tunnel. The trough has counterweights. Typically the jack includes a rotary screw-threaded shaft which carry a nut connected to a chain which travels over pulleys and which is secured to the trough member.

Abstract: Animal or plant derived materials are prepared for extraction of desired substances therefrom by grinding said materials at or below their Brittleness Temperature. This treatment allows fracture of the materials into small particles with high surface area to volume, as well as high volume to mass ratios, and disrupts membranes of tissues, organs, cells or organelles which would otherwise prevent or limit separation of desired biomolecules.

Abstract: In a process for freezing liquid or semiliquid food products in the form of essentially uniform pellets, the nonfrozen food product is introduced into a container. The product is agitated within the container, while a liquid cooling gas is sprayed over the product. The partially frozen food product is then removed from the container before it is completely frozen and after formability has been achieved, and is formed into essentially uniform pellets which are completely frozen outside the container. An apparatus for carrying the process into effect comprises a container, an agitator mounted within said container, spray nozzles opening into the upper part of the said container for spraying the underlying food product in the container with a liquid cooling gas, a forming device for forming the partially frozen food product removed from said container into essentially uniform pellets, and a freezer for completely freezing the pellets thus formed.

Abstract: Liquid carbon dioxide is injected through one end into the upper compartment (14) of the tunnel. The gaseous CO.sub.2 is circulated in the lower compartment (13) partly in a countercurrent manner and partly in a cocurrent manner relative to the objects (22) to be cooled, by a central fan (9). Application in the temporary hardening of products of rubber and plastics material and in the precise cooling of food products.

Abstract: A method is described for cooling or heating hot filled containers, such as metallic cans. The apparatus employs countercurrent flow between the containers and a water trough and uses axial shaking and the physics of the containers to promote cooling or heating.

Abstract: In a method for controlling the flow of a pumpable food product into an apparatus comprising a conveyor belt to which the product is applied and converted from liquid to solid phase, the angle of spreading of the product applied to the conveyor belt is sensed and compared with a predetermined angle of spreading. The flow of product is so controlled that the difference between these angles is reduced. An apparatus for carrying out the method includes a horizontal belt conveyor having a conveyor belt for treating a web or mat of a pumpable product which is applied to the belt and spread over its entire width. A detector senses the angle of spreading of the product on the belt, and a control unit controls the flow of product applied such that the angle of spreading will have a predetermined value.