Patent ID: 6305184
Filing Date: 2001-10-23
Classification: A23B,A23L,B65G,F25D

Abstract:
A cooling tunnel means particularly usable for eggs comprising:A. a housing means defining a cooling chamber means therewithin for cooling of eggs passing therethrough, said housing means further defining an entrance opening means and an exit opening means in fluid flow communication with respect to said cooling chamber means to facilitate the movement of eggs into said cooling chamber through said entrance opening and outwardly therefrom through said exit opening means to facilitate cooling thereof, said entrance opening means being positioned vertically higher than said exit opening mean, said cooling chamber means being operable to create a temperature stratification gradient therewithin wherein the cooler portion of the cooled air is located in the lower levels of said cooling chamber means and the warmer portion of the cooled air is located in the higher levels of said cooling chamber means;B. a conveyor means extending downwardly from said entrance opening throughout said cooling chamber means and extending to said exit opening means therebelow to facilitate the movement of eggs gradually downwardly throughout said cooling chamber means to facilitate slowly cooling thereof, said conveyor means being longitudinally angularly inclined downwardly within said cooling chamber means in order to lengthen the path of movement of said conveyor means therewithin to allow the eggs traveling thereupon to be located within said cooling chamber for an increased period of time to further facilitate slowly reducing of the temperature of the eggs as conveyed downwardly;C. a cooling means positioned within said housing means for cooling of air therewithin;D. a cooling air inlet conduit means positioned within said housing means adjacent said cooling means to provide a flowpath for cooled air to pass from said cooling means to said cooling chamber means for cooling thereof;E. a cooling air outlet conduit means positioned within said housing means adjacent said cooling means to provide a flowpath for air to return from said cooling chamber means to said cooling means for further cooling thereof;F. a conveyor cleaning apparatus positioned within said housing means adjacent said conveyor means and adapted to clean said conveyor means during each cycle of movement thereof within said housing means.