Patent ID: 7119306
Filing Date: 2006-10-10
Classification: A23L

Abstract:
1. A food thawing apparatus, comprising: a cabinet structure including a first thawing chamber and a second thawing chamber, a mullion separating the first thawing chamber from the second thawing chamber; the mullion including a first side facing the first thawing chamber, the first side having a plurality of air flow openings therein, including a set of air intake openings for passing air from the first thawing chamber into an interior of the mullion and a set of air outlet openings for passing air from the interior of the mullion to the first thawing chamber; the mullion including a second side facing the second thawing chamber, the second side having a plurality of air flow openings therein, including a set of air intake openings for passing air from the second thawing chamber into the interior of the mullion and a set of air outlet openings for passing air from the interior of the mullion to the second thawing chamber; a plurality of blowers associated with the mullion for causing air flow into and out of the interior of the mullion when operated; and at least one heating element associated with the mullion for heating air prior to passing it from the interior of the mullion into either of the first and second thawing chambers; wherein the set of air outlet openings on the first side of the mullion includes multiple air outlet openings distributed substantially along a height of the mullion and downstream of the heating element, and the set of air outlet openings on the second side of the mullion includes multiple air outlet openings distributed substantially along the height of the mullion and downstream of the heating element; wherein the plurality of blowers are capable of generating a pressurized condition within a common interior chamber of the mullion by directing air from the plurality of blowers into the common interior chamber, the heated, pressurized air passing from the common interior chamber through the multiple air outlet openings associated with at least one of the first and second sides.