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US4589264A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Tunnel freezer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-01-09
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Granted: 1986-05-20
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Expires: 2005-01-09
Abstract
Abstract Tunnel freezer for freezing products which are transported through the tunnel freezer from an infeed end to an outfeed end. Close to the outfeed end of the tunnel spray nozzles are provided for spraying the products with liquified nitrogen or similar cryogenic liquid. The tunnel comprises circulation fans positioned upstream of the nozzles. The circulation fans comprise at least one paddle wheel positioned immediately above the products. The paddle wheel has paddles, the radial length of which is 20 to 60%, preferably 50%, of the radius of the fan wheel. Preferably also a fan wheel is arranged below the conveyor between the two paths of the conveyor, whereby the paddle wheel is driven by e.g. a chain or belt transmission. Moreover, the tunnel is divided in compartments by partitions, whereby the partition positioned at the infeed end of the fan wheel is positioned closer to the fan wheel than the partition which is positioned at the outfeed end of the fan wheel. The partitions are curtains which are made of a flexible material, such as glass fibre reinforced Teflon® (polytetrafluoroethylene).
Inventors
- 👤 Sture Astrom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 03:16
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D3/00; F25D3/10; F25D3/11; F25D2317/00; F25D2317/06; F25D2317/068; F25D2317/0681
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A tunnel freezer for freezing products wherein the products are transported through a tunnel from an infeed end to an outfeed end by a conveyor having a preestablished width comprising: spray nozzles adjacent the outfeed end for spraying a cryogenic liquid on the products; and means for circulating gas, said circulating means being positioned in the tunnel upstream of said spray nozzles with respect to the direction of the transportation of the products; wherein said circulating means includes at least one paddle wheel positioned immediately above the products, the diameter of the paddle wheel being slightly smaller than the width of the conveyor, and wherein the conveyor has two paths, and at least one paddle wheel is positioned between said two paths, said paddle wheel being driven by a suitable transmission.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A tunnel freezer for freezing products wherein the products are transported through a tunnel from an infeed end to an outfeed end by a conveyor having a preestablished width comprising: spray nozzles adjacent the outfeed end for spraying a cryogenic liquid on the products; and means for circulating gas, said circulating means being positioned in the tunnel upstream of said spray nozzles with respect to the direction of the transportation of the products; wherein said circulating means includes at least one paddle wheel positioned immediately above the products, the diameter of the paddle wheel being slightly smaller than the width of the conveyor, and wherein the conveyor has two paths, and at least one paddle wheel is positioned between said two paths, said paddle wheel being driven by a suitable transmission.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
160 words
A tunnel freezer for freezing products wherein the products are transported through a tunnel from an infeed end to an outfeed end by a conveyor having a preestablished width comprising: spray nozzles adjacent the outfeed end for spraying a cryogenic liquid on the products; means for circulating gas, said circulating means being positioned in the tunnel upstream of said spray nozzles with respect to the direction of the transportation of the products, wherein said circulating means includes at least one paddle wheel positioned immediately above the products, the diameter of the paddle wheel being slightly smaller than the width of the conveyor; and means for dividing the tunnel into compartments, said dividing means including a first partition positioned between said paddle wheel and the infeed end of the tunnel and a second partition positioned between said paddle wheel and the outfeed end of the tunnel, wherein said first partition is positioned closer to said paddle wheel than said second partition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
160 words
A tunnel freezer for freezing products wherein the products are transported through a tunnel from an infeed end to an outfeed end by a conveyor having a preestablished width comprising: spray nozzles adjacent the outfeed end for spraying a cryogenic liquid on the products; means for circulating gas, said circulating means being positioned in the tunnel upstream of said spray nozzles with respect to the direction of the transportation of the products, wherein said circulating means includes at least one paddle wheel positioned immediately above the products, the diameter of the paddle wheel being slightly smaller than the width of the conveyor; and means for dividing the tunnel into compartments, said dividing means including a first partition positioned between said paddle wheel and the infeed end of the tunnel and a second partition positioned between said paddle wheel and the outfeed end of the tunnel, wherein said first partition is positioned closer to said paddle wheel than said second partition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tunnel freezer as claimed in claim 2, wherein the partitions are curtains of a flexible material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tunnel freezer as claimed in claim 3, wherein the flexible material is glass fibre reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
96 words
Cooling apparatus for cooling products wherein the products are transported through an enclosure from an infeed end to an outfeed end by a conveyor having a preestablished width comprising; means in said enclosure for circulating a cooling gas, wherein said circulating means includes at least one paddle wheel positioned immediately above the products, the diameter of the paddle wheel being slightly smaller than the width of the conveyor, and wherein the conveyor has two paths, and at least one paddle wheel is positioned between said two paths, said paddle wheel being driven by a suitable transmission.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
Cooling apparatus for cooling products wherein the products are transported through an enclosure from an infeed end to an outfeed end by a conveyor having a preestablished width comprising; means in said enclosure for circulating a cooling gas, wherein said circulating means includes at least one paddle wheel positioned immediately above the products, the diameter of the paddle wheel being slightly smaller than the width of the conveyor, and wherein the conveyor has two paths, and at least one paddle wheel is positioned between said two paths, said paddle wheel being driven by a suitable transmission.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
91 words
Cooling apparatus for cooling products wherein the products are transported through an enclosure from an infeed end to an outfeed end by a conveyor comprising: means positioned in said enclosure for circulating a cooling gas, said circulating means including at least one paddle wheel creating turbulence in said cooling gas and having a hub, a plurality of substantially radial paddles and a plurality of spokes connecting said paddles to said hub, said paddle wheel being positioned above the products and sufficiently close to the products that said turbulence contacts said products.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
91 words
Cooling apparatus for cooling products wherein the products are transported through an enclosure from an infeed end to an outfeed end by a conveyor comprising: means positioned in said enclosure for circulating a cooling gas, said circulating means including at least one paddle wheel creating turbulence in said cooling gas and having a hub, a plurality of substantially radial paddles and a plurality of spokes connecting said paddles to said hub, said paddle wheel being positioned above the products and sufficiently close to the products that said turbulence contacts said products.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the length of each paddle is about 20% to 60% of the radius of the paddle wheel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the length of each paddle is about 50% of the radius of the paddle wheel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-05-19 | 1989-11-18 | 1990-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-05-19 | 1993-11-18 | 1994-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-05-19 | 1997-11-18 | 1998-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |