Patent ID: 6434950
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: A23L,F25D

Abstract:
An apparatus for cooling or freezing food items comprising:an entrance module having a top, bottom and four walls comprising: an inlet through a first wall for introducing food items into the entrance module; a belt for conveying the food items from the inlet through the entrance module; an impeller for circulating vaporized liquid cryogen above and below the belt; an impinger capable of directing said circulated vaporized cryogen into a plurality of impingement jets in the vicinity of the food items; and, a sprayer for providing at least one stream of liquid cryogen into the impingement jets; and an exit module having a top, bottom and four walls comprising: a belt for conveying the food items conveyed through the entrance module through the exit module; a divider baffle for conveying at least a portion of the vaporized cryogen from the entrance module; an impeller for circulating said vaporized cryogen above and below the belt; an impinger capable of directing said circulated vaporized cryogen into a plurality of impingement jets in the vicinity of the food items; and, an outlet capable of allowing cooled or frozen food items to exit the exit module.