Patent ID: 7500426
Filing Date: 2009-03-10
Classification: A23L,A23N

Abstract:
1. A food processing apparatus comprising: a tank having an inlet end and a discharge end; at least one baffle divides the tank into a first compartment and a second compartment; a first manifold disposed within the first compartment for delivering a non-liquid heat transfer medium to the first compartment; a second manifold disposed within the second compartment for delivering a cool transfer medium to the second compartment; a first drum rotatably mounted within the first compartment of the tank, and having a helical auger therein, wherein the auger advances food product from the inlet end of the tank toward the baffle through the non-liquid heat transfer medium; a second drum rotatably mounted within the second compartment of the tank, and having a helical auger therein, wherein the auger advances food product within the tank to the tank outlet through the cool transfer medium; and a product transfer mechanism for transferring food product from the first drum to the second drum, wherein the product transfer mechanism includes a first end at least partially disposed in the first drum for receiving food product, a second end at least partially disposed in the second drum for depositing food product in the second drum, and a passageway defined therebetween, and further wherein the cool transfer medium is a volume of water that fills a portion of the second drum, wherein the second end of the product transfer mechanism deposits food product below a water line defined by the water.