Patent US3807186A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3807186A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluidized freezing
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-05-11
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Granted: 1974-04-30
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Expires: 1993-05-11
Abstract
Abstract Food particles are discharged onto a declining first section of an endless foraminous conveyor belt which carries the food particles through a freezing zone in which refrigerated air flows upwardly through the conveyor belt and the food particles. Gravity forces act on the food particles in the declining section, causing them to advance faster than the conveyor belt. This results in a thinning of the product bed in the declining section, making it easier to fluidize the food particles at the start of their progress through the freezing zone.
Inventors
- 👤 K Hardy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:54
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D13/00; F25D13/06; F25D13/067; F25D25/00; F25D25/04; F25D2317/00; F25D2317/06; F25D2317/066; F25D2317/0661
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
In a freezer of the type in which food particles to be frozen are delivered onto the upper run of an endless, foraminous conveyor belt and are carried by said belt through a freezing zone while refrigerated air is blown upwardly through the belt and the food particles thereon, the improvement comprising: support frame means for the upper run of the conveyor belt, establishing a first declining section of the conveyor belt followed by a second substantially horizontal section of the conveyor belt; and means for depositing a food product to be frozen onto a relatively upper portion of the declining section of the conveyor belt, with the angle of decline being sufficient to cause the food particles to advance faster than the conveyor belt, resulting in a substantial thinning in the product bed in the declining section of the fluidized bed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a freezer of the type in which food particles to be frozen are delivered onto the upper run of an endless, foraminous conveyor belt and are carried by said belt through a freezing zone while refrigerated air is blown upwardly through the belt and the food particles thereon, the improvement comprising: support frame means for the upper run of the conveyor belt, establishing a first declining section of the conveyor belt followed by a second substantially horizontal section of the conveyor belt; and means for depositing a food product to be frozen onto a relatively upper portion of the declining section of the conveyor belt, with the angle of decline being sufficient to cause the food particles to advance faster than the conveyor belt, resulting in a substantial thinning in the product bed in the declining section of the fluidized bed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The improvement of claim 1, including a drive chain extending along each side of the conveyor belt, and a pair of sprocket wheels supported above said chains, said sprocket wheels engaging said chains where the declining section ends and the substantially horizontal section begins.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein the support frame means for the first declining section includes an undersupport assembly for the conveyor belt having upstream and down stream ends, pivot joint means mounting the downstream end for pivotal movement about a transverse axis, and vertically adjustable support means for the upstream end of said undersupport assembly, such adjustment being for the purpose of changing the slope of the declining section of the conveyor belt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement of claim 3, wherein the pivot joint means is positioned to establish the transverse axis substantially vertically below the two sprocket wheels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement of claim 3, wherein said undersupport assembly includes a transverse support shaft at its upstream end having sprocket wheels thereon for the drive chains.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The improvement of claim 3, wherein the undersupport assembly for the declining section of the conveyor belt comprises tubular frame members, and means for circulating a relatively warm fluid through said tubular members for the purpose of preventing ice buildup on the undersupport.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
138 words
The method of freezing food particles comprising: continuously delivering food particles onto an endless, foraminous conveyor belt; driving said conveyor belt both forwardly and downwardly while blowing refrigerated air upwardly through the belt and the food particles thereon, to fluidize the food particles and enhance the heat exchange contact between them and the refrigerated air; controlling the downward travel of the belt to cause the food particles to advance faster than the belt to in that manner cause a thinning of the fluidized food particle bed; and following surface freezing of the food particles, driving the conveyor belt substantially horizontally, to remove the gravity forces from the food particles, to in that manner increase the depth of the fluidized food particle bed, while continuing to deliver refrigerated air upwardly through the conveyor belt and the food particles thereon.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
138 words
The method of freezing food particles comprising: continuously delivering food particles onto an endless, foraminous conveyor belt; driving said conveyor belt both forwardly and downwardly while blowing refrigerated air upwardly through the belt and the food particles thereon, to fluidize the food particles and enhance the heat exchange contact between them and the refrigerated air; controlling the downward travel of the belt to cause the food particles to advance faster than the belt to in that manner cause a thinning of the fluidized food particle bed; and following surface freezing of the food particles, driving the conveyor belt substantially horizontally, to remove the gravity forces from the food particles, to in that manner increase the depth of the fluidized food particle bed, while continuing to deliver refrigerated air upwardly through the conveyor belt and the food particles thereon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-29 | 1977-10-29 | 1978-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-29 | 1981-10-29 | 1982-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-29 | 1985-10-29 | 1986-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |