Patent ID: 9151533
Filing Date: 2015-10-06
Classification: A23L,C09K,F25C,F25D

Abstract:
1. A method for tempering a plurality of packaged product units in a treatment tank, the method comprising: placing the plurality of packaged product units in the treatment tank, wherein the treatment tank comprises an overflow trough located at an upper part of the treatment tank; introducing an ice slurry comprising water and ice particles into the treatment tank to submerge the plurality of packaged product units, wherein the water comprises a saline brine in the form of a mixture of salt dissolved in fresh water and wherein the ice slurry comprises approximately 25% ice particles by weight, 2% sodium chloride by weight and the remainder fresh water, whereby the sodium chloride allows for the temperature of the ice slurry to be approximately −2.5 degrees Celsius without the water freezing; and continuously recirculating the ice slurry in the treatment tank around the plurality of packaged product units in order to cool the plurality of packaged product units, wherein an upper level of the ice slurry that has floated upward through the treatment tank flows into the overflow trough, is pumped through a pipe connected to the overflow trough and is injected back into the treatment tank through at least one injection nozzle located below the upper level of the ice slurry with sufficient force so that the ice slurry exiting the at least one injection nozzle recirculates between the plurality of packaged product units.