US3871186A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for refrigerating articles
Assignee: Integral Process Systems Inc
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Filing: 1973-08-23
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Granted: 1975-03-18
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Expires: 1993-08-23
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for refrigerating articles including an insulating chamber, a conveyor for moving articles through the chamber, a liquid spray system for introducing the liquid cryogen such as liquid nitrogen for contact with the articles with resulting generation of cryogen gas through the chamber in a recirculation path that includes a path portion located externally of the chamber and means for collecting liquid cryogen from the chamber in the external path portion for contact with the recirculated fluid cryogen passing therethrough with resulting vaporization of the collected liquid and entrainment of the liquid in the recirculated gas.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard C Wagner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:33
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D3/00; F25D3/10; F25D3/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for refrigerating articles, comprising: means defining an insulated chamber having an entrance and an exit for said articles; conveyor means for moving said articles in the chamber in a path from the entrance to the exit; liquid flow means for introducing a liquid cryogen into said chamber for contact with said articles at an introduction area spaced from said entrance with resulting generation of cryogen gas; means between said introduction area and entrance for recirculating cryogen gas from said chamber in a recirculation path including a path portion located externally of the chamber; and means for collecting any remaining liquid cryogen from said chamber in said external path portion for contact with the recirculated cryogen gas passing therethrough.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for refrigerating articles, comprising: means defining an insulated chamber having an entrance and an exit for said articles; conveyor means for moving said articles in the chamber in a path from the entrance to the exit; liquid flow means for introducing a liquid cryogen into said chamber for contact with said articles at an introduction area spaced from said entrance with resulting generation of cryogen gas; means between said introduction area and entrance for recirculating cryogen gas from said chamber in a recirculation path including a path portion located externally of the chamber; and means for collecting any remaining liquid cryogen from said chamber in said external path portion for contact with the recirculated cryogen gas passing therethrough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said chamber is provided with baffle means beneath said liquid flow means sloped toward said enternal path portion for directing liquid cryogen into said path portion as a sump for contact with recirculated gas in said path portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said external path portion includes a part at a lower level than said chamber and thereby operating as a gravity flow liquid collecting sump.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said liquid flow means comprises spray apparatus located between said chamber exit and said recirculating path portion for spraying liquid cryogen in contact with said articles and including a flexible conduit to an external source of liquid cryogen for removal of said apparatus for cleaning, servicing and tHe like without requiring dismantling.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein there are provided in said chamber adjacent its entrance evacuation means for exhausting spent cryogen gas and a baffle within the chamber extending to adjacent the evacuation means for separating the chamber into upper and lower recirculation sections of an internal recirculation loop that extends within the chamber toward said evacuation means for countercurrent gas contact with said articles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein there are provided in said chamber above the baffle and downstream with respect to the path of movement of said articles a plurality of gas moving devices means for creating cross flow of gaseous cryogen over and between said articles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said plurality of gas moving devices comprise axial flow fans spaced along a substantial portion of said chamber and exhausting transversely to said path of the articles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said evacuation means is located adjacent to said chamber entrance, said plurality of fans are arranged in series along a portion of the chamber between said withdrawal area and said recirculating path portion, and said liquid flow means is located between said recirculation path and said chamber exit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said chamber is provided wtih baffle means beneath said liquid flow means sloped toward said external path portion for directing liquid cryogen into said path portion as a sump for contact with recirculated gas in said path portion.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
111 words
The method of refrigerating articles in an insulated chamber having an entrance and an exit and liquid flow means for introducing a liquid cryogen into said chamber for contact with said articles in an excessive amount so as to provide both cryogen liquid and cryogen gas from said liquid in the chamber, comprising: recirculating said cryogen gas into contact with articles within the chamber in a recirculation path including a path portion located externally of the chamber and collecting any remaining liquid cryogen from the chamber in the recirculation path portion for contact by said recirculated gas and redistribution of the liquid in conjunction with the gas back into the chamber.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
111 words
The method of refrigerating articles in an insulated chamber having an entrance and an exit and liquid flow means for introducing a liquid cryogen into said chamber for contact with said articles in an excessive amount so as to provide both cryogen liquid and cryogen gas from said liquid in the chamber, comprising: recirculating said cryogen gas into contact with articles within the chamber in a recirculation path including a path portion located externally of the chamber and collecting any remaining liquid cryogen from the chamber in the recirculation path portion for contact by said recirculated gas and redistribution of the liquid in conjunction with the gas back into the chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said path portion is at a lower level than said chamber to function as a sump and said liquid is collected therein by gravity flow from the insulated chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for refrigerating articles, comprising: means defining an insulated chamber having an entrance and an exit for said articles; conveyor means for moving said articles in the chamber in a path from the entrance to the exit; and liquid flow means for introducing a liquid cryogen into said chamber for contact with said articles at an introduction area spaced from said entrance with resulting generation of cryogen gas, said liquid flow means comprising spray apparatus located between said chamber exit and said recirculating path portion for spraying liquid cryogen in contact with said articles and including a flexible conduit to an external source of liquid cryogen for removal of said apparatus for cleaning, servicing and the like without requiring dismantling.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for refrigerating articles, comprising: means defining an insulated chamber having an entrance and an exit for said articles; conveyor means for moving said articles in the chamber in a path from the entrance to the exit; and liquid flow means for introducing a liquid cryogen into said chamber for contact with said articles at an introduction area spaced from said entrance with resulting generation of cryogen gas, said liquid flow means comprising spray apparatus located between said chamber exit and said recirculating path portion for spraying liquid cryogen in contact with said articles and including a flexible conduit to an external source of liquid cryogen for removal of said apparatus for cleaning, servicing and the like without requiring dismantling.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for refrigerating articles, comprising: means defining an insulated chamber having an entrance and an exit for said articles; conveyor means for moving said articles in the chamber in a path from the entrance to the exit; fluid flow means for introducing a fluid cryogen into said chamber for contact with said articles at an introduction area spaced from said entrance; means for circulating gaseous cryogen from said fluid in countercurrent with said articles; and a plurality of gas moving device means between said introduction area for said cryogen and said entrance for creating cross flow of gaseous cryogen over and between said articles.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for refrigerating articles, comprising: means defining an insulated chamber having an entrance and an exit for said articles; conveyor means for moving said articles in the chamber in a path from the entrance to the exit; fluid flow means for introducing a fluid cryogen into said chamber for contact with said articles at an introduction area spaced from said entrance; means for circulating gaseous cryogen from said fluid in countercurrent with said articles; and a plurality of gas moving device means between said introduction area for said cryogen and said entrance for creating cross flow of gaseous cryogen over and between said articles.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said plurality of gas moving devices comprise axial flow fans spaced along a subsTantial portion of said chamber and exhausting transversely to said path of the articles.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3553973A
Cited
US3405531A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-09-16 | 1979-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-17 | 1982-09-16 | 1983-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-17 | 1986-09-16 | 1987-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |