Patent ID: 11879684
Assignee: CARSOE SEAFOOD APS
Field: Food chemistry (Chemistry)
Classification: CPC F  A | IPC A  F

Claim 9:
10. Method of loading and unloading freezer articles to and from a horizontal plate freezer (1), where the horizontal plate freezer (1) comprises
a plurality of freezer plates (2) forming a stack of freezer plates (2), where said plurality of freezer plates (2) are arranged substantially horizontal, defining a distance between the freezer plates, where in use articles to be frozen are arranged on one or more freezer plates,
where said stack of freezer plates are arranged between a top frame (3) and a bottom frame (4), where said top frame (3) is arranged at a horizontal level above the stack of freezer plates (2), and said bottom frame (4) is arranged at a horizontal level underneath the stack of freezer plates (2),
at least one intervention unit (8) with at least one engaging device (10), where the engaging device (10) is arranged moveable in a longitudinal direction along said intervention unit(s) (8), whereby the engaging device (10) is lifted and lowered along said stack of freezer plates (2),
at least one displacement device (6) comprising a first end positioned above a topmost freezer plate (2) and a second end connected to said bottom frame (4),, where said bottom frame (4) is moveably connected to the top frame (3) by the at least one displacement device (6) capable of lifting and lowering the bottom frame (4) to a predefined position, where one or more freezer plates (2) rests on the bottom frame (4),, where said engaging device (10) can engage individual freezer plates (2) of said plurality of freezer plates (2), and displace said engaged freezer plate (2) thereby providing an increased distance between two adjacent freezer plates (2), and maintain the increased distance during loading and/or unloading of articles to or from said freezer plates (2) the method comprising the following steps:
a. moving the engaging device (10) to a position of a selected individual freezer plate (2) in the horizontal plate freezer (1),
b. engaging the engaging device (10) in a supporting contact with the individual freezer plate (2) and maintaining the position,
c. displacing the bottom frame (4) with one or more freezer plates (2) supported by the bottom frame (4) downwards away from the top frame (3), thereby proving an increased distance between the selected individual freezer plate (2) and the stack of freezer plates supported by the bottom frame (4),
d. loading or unloading articles to be frozen or having been frozen, respectively, onto or from a freezer plate (2) supported by the bottom frame (4) and underlying the selected individual freezer plate (2) supported by the engaging device (10),
e. displacing the bottom frame (4) with the one or more freezer plates (2) supported by the bottom frame (4) upwards towards the top frame (3), thereby providing a decreased distance between the selected individual freezer plate (2) and the stack of freezer plates supported by the bottom frame (4).