Patent ID: 6076371
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: A23G

Abstract:
In apparatus for storing material in at least a partially frozen state, said apparatus including a tank in which the material is stored under pressure and a blade mounted for rotation within said tank, said blade being movable radially with respect to an axis of rotation thereof and being urged radially outwardly from said axis of rotation for frictional engagement with an inner wall of said tank by centrifugal force when said blade is rotated to remove solid material from said inner wall, wherein the improvement comprises plural openings spaced longitudinally along said blade, each of said openings having a major axis extending radially with respect to said axis of rotation, said apparatus further including a plate having plural projections extending through respective openings in said blade, whereby said blade is mounted with said plate and is able to move radially with respect to said axis of rotation a distance in each direction equal to a length of one of said openings.