Patent ID: 7348522
Filing Date: 2008-03-25
Classification: F24C,F25D,Y10S

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for thawing a frozen food item, comprising: a chamber dimensioned to receive the frozen food item; a heat exchanger operable to either heat air in the chamber or to cool the air in the chamber; a fan for creating a flow of the air within the chamber; and a support structure disposed in the chamber and having an upper surface adapted to receive and support a lower surface of the frozen food item, wherein the support structure comprises one or more surfaces adapted to restrict the flow of a first portion of the flow of the air from the fan by separating and directing the first portion of the air to the upper surface of the support structure, wherein the upper surface of the support structure is adapted to allow distribution of the first portion of the air from the fan across the lower surface of the food item and upwardly about the food item.