Patent ID: 6578370
Filing Date: 2003-06-17
Classification: A23L,F25D,F28D

Abstract:
A method of quick-chilling food items in a centralized food processing facility, said method comprising:providing a liquid reservoir at a first region of the facility, said reservoir including a first end having a higher elevation than a second end that is longitudinally displaced from said first end whereby to form a debris trap at a lower elevation near said second end, establishing a longitudinal flow of liquid from said first to said second end of the reservoir, submersing coolant tubes in the liquid at one region of the reservoir that extend longitudinally between said first and second ends, packaging said food items in flexible plastic or nylon bags, submersing packaged food items in a relatively stationary position within the reservoir, cooling the liquid in the reservoir to a temperature of 5Â° Celsius or less by evaporating a coolant in the submersed coolant tubes and compressing the coolant at a second region separate from the first region hosting the reservoir, and removing the food items when the temperature thereof reaches 5Â° Celsius or less.