Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/291,863 having a filing date of Feb. 5, 2016, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure generally relates to food processing techniques. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to immersion food defrosting. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Restaurant food preparation often requires defrosting frozen items (entrees, meat etc.). Conventionally, frozen food items (e.g., sealed in a plastic bag) are defrosted by continuously running water over the frozen food item (e.g., placed in a sink) until the temperature of the item is brought to a proper state for preparation. In some cases, frozen food items may additionally be immersed in water for defrosting. However, health regulations and food safety concerns typically may prevent the food item from sitting in water for an extended period of time. For instance, heath regulations often require that water in which a frozen food item is immersed be continually flowing to prevent or reduce bacterial growth. Thus, frozen food items are sometimes immersed in a basin of water and a faucet or other spigot continually pours water into the basin. In such ‘immersion defrosting’ the basin is typically placed in a sink such that water overrunning the top of the basin spills into the sink and is diverted to a drain. 
         [0004]    The conventional method for immersion defrosting has several drawbacks. One drawback is that water is provided to the top of the basin holding the frozen item. The frozen item tends to cool the water in the basin such that colder water settles to the bottom of the basin while the typically warmer water from the faucet tends to run over the top edge of the basin. The thermal potential of the warmer water is wasted. A common practice to facilitate mixing the colder water in the bottom of the basin with water flowing into the basin is to increase the flow of water into the basin. However, this results in significantly increased water use. Further, increased flow of water directly into the basin tends to cause splashing of water. 
         [0005]    As such, there is a need for a system that defrosts food efficiently, effectively and while reducing water usage. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Presented herein is a system and a method (i.e., utility) for use in defrosting frozen food items. The utility is directed generally to a device and its use that directs a flow of a defrosting fluid (e.g., water) into a lower portion of a basin where the water passes upwards to a rim or top edge of the basin to defrost frozen items placed in the basin. 
         [0007]    According to a first aspect, the utility includes a manifold that is adapted to be disposed within a basin or tub. The basin may be have any shape but typically includes a base and continuous sidewall (e.g., rectangular, circular, etc.) and a top edge (i.e.. top of the sidewall). The basin defines an interior area for holding fluid/water and one or more items to be defrosted. 
         [0008]    A manifold is disposed within the basin at or near its base. The manifold includes an upper surface having a plurality of apertures that allow for dispersing water received below the manifold into the basin near the bottom of the basin. In order to insert water below the manifold, a riser is attached to the manifold. The riser is generally a conduit having an open inlet end and an open outlet end. The open outlet end of the riser/conduit opens below the upper surface of the manifold. The open inlet end of the riser extends above the top edge of the basin when the manifold is disposed within the basin. This allows providing water into the riser which is then directed to a space below the manifold allowing the water to disperse through the apertures in the manifold. 
         [0009]    The riser may be formed of any appropriate conduit. In one arrangement, the riser is formed of a flexible conduit that attaches (e.g., threads) to a connection port in the manifold. In other arrangements, the riser is a rigid element that is fixedly connected the manifold. 
         [0010]    In one arraignment, the manifold is a self-contained element. In this arrangement, the manifold defines an enclosed area. In this arrangement, an outlet of the riser opens into the enclosed are to provide fluid/water received at a location above the top edge of the basin into the enclosed area. In another arrangement, the manifold is a plate that is sized to provide an interference fit with an interior of the basin. In this arrangement, the plate is disposed above the base of the basin to define a space between the base and a bottom surface of the plate. In such an arrangement, the riser opens through the bottom surface of the plate. In the interference fit arrangement, a peripheral edge of the manifold plate may have a shape that is substantially similar or identical to an interior periphery of the basin. Further, a seal may be attached to the peripheral edge of the manifold plate. 
         [0011]    According to another aspect, the utility includes an enclosed manifold base that is sized for receipt within a basin. The manifold base has a bottom surface, which rests on the base of the basin, and a spaced top surface. Edges of the spaced top and bottom surfaces are connected, for instance, by one or more sidewalls. In any arrangement, the manifold base defines an enclosed space. Water flows into the manifold via riser having a lower end that is in fluid communication with the enclosed space between the top and bottom surfaces of the manifold base. The riser extends upward from the manifold base to a location above a top edge of the basin. An open upper end of the riser receives water from a water source. The manifold base, the enclosed interior of which receives water from the manifold riser, has a plurality of apertures on its top surface. When water flows into the manifold riser, fluid pressure forces water out of the apertures in the top surface of the manifold base, into the basin (e.g., past a frozen item in the basin). The water raises and spills over the top edge of the basin. 
         [0012]    In any aspect, rather than colder water settling at the bottom of the basin, newly inserted water (e.g., warmer water) circulates from the bottom of the basin and past the food item(s) located on or above the top surface of the manifold. In use, the flow of water into the riser may be adjusted to prevent water from overflowing the top edge of the riser. In some arrangement, indicia lines on the riser allow a user to control the volumetric flow of the water. The application of the water to the bottom of the basin significantly increases the thawing of a food item placed into the basin. Further, this can be achieved with a lowered water flow rate thereby saving water while adhering to health guidelines that require a continuous flow of water. Even further, introducing water through the bottom of the basin via the manifold riser eliminates any splashing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of an immersion food defrosting device. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary basin in which an immersion food defrosting device may be placed. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates the immersion food defrosting device of  FIG. 1  placed in the basin of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the immersion food defrosting device of  FIG. 1  placed in the basin of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of an immersion food defrosting device. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the immersion food defrosting device of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  illustrates the immersion food defrosting device of  FIG. 5  placed in the basin of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the immersion food defrosting device of  FIG. 5  placed in the basin of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of an immersion food defrosting device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which at least assist in illustrating the various pertinent features of the presented inventions. The following description is presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to limit the inventions to the forms disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the following teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the presented inventions. The embodiments described herein are further intended to explain the best modes known of practicing the inventions and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the inventions in such, or other embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the presented inventions. 
         [0023]    Disclosed herein are devices and techniques related to food processing, and more specifically, to immersion food defrosting devices and their use, which allow thawing frozen food items in conformance with health regulations while reducing water usage in comparison to previous techniques. In the present disclosure, the immersion food defrosting devices provide continuous fluid flow to the bottoms of immersion basins allowing rapid thawing of frozen food items while reducing water use. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 1-4  variously illustrate a first embodiment of an immersion food defrosting device  20  and a basin  10  in which the device  20  is disposed. Generally, the device  20  forms a self-contained manifold that allows for receiving a flow of a defrosting fluid (hereafter water) at a location above a top edge of the basin  20  and directing that fluid to a bottom of the basin  20 . This allows the typically warmer water (i.e., newly received water) from, for example, a faucet to pass upward from the bottom of the basin past a frozen food item  2  immersed within the basin prior to spilling over the top edge of the basin. This arrangement allows more fully utilizing the thermal potential of newly received water for defrost the frozen food item  2 . More importantly, this allows for reducing the volumetric flow of the water thereby reducing water usage while thawing/defrosting the frozen food item at a rate equal to or exceeding prior methods. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 1, 3 and 4  illustrate a perspective and cross-sectional side view of the first embodiment of the defrosting device  20 . As shown, the defrosting device  20  generally defines a manifold that may be placed within the basin  10 . See, e.g.,  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The device has a body or manifold body  30  having a top surface  32  and a bottom surface  34  connected by a plurality of sidewalls  36 . The top and bottom surface are spaced to define an enclosed interior area  38 . The manifold body  30  is sized to be disposed on the bottom surface or base  12  of the basin  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the top surface  32 , bottom surface  34 , and side walls  36  define a rectangular prism while the basin  10  is illustrated as being generally rectangular. However, the manifold body  10  may be of any shape that defines an enclosed area while the basin may have any shape that permits receipt of the manifold body  30 . For example, the manifold body and/or basin may be cylindrical. In any embodiment, the height or thickness of the manifold body  30  between its top surface  32  and is bottom surface  34  is less a height of the sidewalls  14  of the basin  20 . See. e.g.,  FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 . Thus, when the manifold body  30  is disposed within the basin  10 , there is adequate space between the top surface  32  of the manifold body  30  and a top edge  16  of the basin  10  to allow a frozen food item  2  to be placed therein and/or on top of the top surface  32  of the manifold body. However, it will be appreciated that a frozen food item  2  may extend above the top edge  16  of the basin  10  when placed on the top surface  32  of the manifold body  30 . In such a case, the frozen food item  2  may be rotated or turned over to allow for defrosting fluid to contact and defrost all surfaces of frozen item. 
         [0026]    The enclosed interior area  38  of the manifold body  30  is connected to an upright fluid intake tube or riser  40 . In the present embodiment, the riser  40  is a rigid element attached hear a first end of the manifold body. The riser  40  is generally a hollow conduit having a continuous sidewall (i.e., which may be formed of a single or multiple elements) that extends between an open inlet end  42  and an outlet end  44 . The inlet end  42  of the riser  40  is sized to receive water from a fluid source (e.g., faucet or spigot). The outlet end  44  of the riser is in fluid communication with the interior area  38  of the manifold body  30 . As illustrated, the riser connects to one end of the manifold body  30  such that the outlet end  44  of the riser opens into the top surface  32  of the manifold body  30 . That is, the interior of the riser  40  is in fluid communication with the interior area  38  of the manifold body. However, it will be appreciated that the outlet  44  of the riser  40  may fluidly connect to the interior area  38  of the manifold body  30  at other locations (e.g., sidewall, bottom surface etc.). The riser  40  has a height that extends from a connection point with the manifold body to a location above the top edge  16  of the basin  10  in which the device  20  will be disposed. Thus, water received at the inlet end  42  of the riser  40  is directed into the interior area  38  of the manifold body  30 , which is disposed at or near the base  12  of the basin  10  and below a frozen food item  2  disposed/immersed within the basin  10 . 
         [0027]    A plurality of apertures  28  extend through the top surface  32  of the manifold body  30  to fluidly connect its interior area  38  with the interior of the basin  10  to disperse water to a lower portion of the basin. Accordingly, the riser  40  directs water  100  from the inlet end  42  disposed above the top edge  16  of the basin  10  into the interior area  38  of the manifold body  30 . This water then passes through the plurality of apertures  28  located through the top surface  32  of the manifold body  30  and disperses into the interior of the basin near the bottom of the basin. This arrangement allows directing a flow of newly inserted water (e.g., warmer water) to or near the bottom of the basin  10  such that it may pass upward past a frozen food item  2  disposed within the basin  10 . The water flows through the apertures  28  into the lower portion of the basin flows upward displacing water in an upper portion of the basin  10 , which overflows the top edge  16  of basin  10  into, for example a sink. The water may flow into drain or alternatively it may be fully or partially recycled back into the manifold riser  40 . 
         [0028]    In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the continuous sidewall of the riser  40  has a first and second sidewalls  46   a,    46   b,  a rear wall  48  and a slanted front wall  50 , which collectively define the hollow interior of the riser  40 . In this embodiment, the slanted front wall  50  allows the interior area of the riser to taper from a larger upper inlet end  42  to a narrower lower outlet end  44 . The sidewalls  46   a,    46   b  walls extending between the front and rear walls may also taper (not shown) in alternate embodiments. The use of a tapered riser increases the amount of water in the riser, thereby increasing the head pressure therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the manifold riser  40  extends entire width of manifold base, however, this is not a requirement. Further, it will be appreciated that use of a tapered riser is not a requirement. That is, the physical configuration of the riser may vary. By way of example only, the riser may be formed of a cylindrical tube or any other structure that allows fluid to enter the riser at a location above a top edge of a basin and be delivered to the interior of the manifold body. 
         [0029]    A frozen food item or items  2  may be placed directly on the top surface  32  of the manifold body  30  and/or float within the basin for defrosting. Having the apertures  28  (i.e., the source of newly inserted water into the basin) at or near the bottom of the basin  10 , promotes mixing of the fluid in the basin preventing stratification of water. That is, cold water does not settle to the bottom of the basin and water is mixed within the basin without increasing flow of the water. 
         [0030]    As noted, the riser  40  extends above the top edge  16  of the basin  10 . Providing a riser with an inlet opening above the top edge  16  of the basin  10  provides fluid head pressure to drive the fluid through the apertures  28 . The height of riser  40  may be selected based on basin size, desired flow rates etc. In the present embodiment the upright rigid riser  40  has an open inlet  42  to receive water from any suitable source. For example water from a faucet or hose may be used as a water source to direct water into the open inlet end of the riser. In an alternative embodiment a fluid source may be in direct connection  60  (e.g., interference fit, threaded etc.) with a mating connection inlet  62  of the manifold  160  (see e.g.,  FIG. 9 ). In such an embodiment, the riser may be a non-rigid element such as a flexible conduit or hose  170 . When assembled, a connected water source may provide direct water pressure to the manifold as opposed to head pressure. A water source in such direct connection to the manifold may thus supply water through the apertures  128  with sufficient direct pressure to fill and overflow the top edge  16  of the basin  10 . 
         [0031]      FIGS. 5-8  illustrate a second embodiment of immersion food defrosting device  120 . This second embodiment of the device  120  again includes a riser  40  that allows for receiving fluid from a location above a top edge  16  of a basin  10  such that flowing water may be directed below food placed within a basin  10 . Again, the riser may be formed of any conduit having a continuous sidewall between an open inlet end  42  and an open outlet end  44 . In contrast to the device  20  of the first embodiment, the present device  120  does not form a self-contained manifold. Rather, the device  120  includes a body or manifold plate  130  having a plurality of apertures  128  that extend through the plate between a top surface  132  and a bottom surface  134  of the manifold plate  130 . As illustrated, the riser  40  is substantially identical to the riser described in relation to  FIGS. 1, 3 and 4  with the exception that the outlet end  44  of the rise extends through the bottom surface  134  of the manifold body or manifold plate  130  rather than into an enclosed interior area of a manifold body. Further, the physical configuration of the riser may vary. 
         [0032]    The manifold plate  130  has a peripheral edge  150  that is sized for conformal receipt within an interior of a basin  10 . See  FIGS. 2, 5, 7 and 8 . That is, the peripheral edge  150  of the manifold plate  130  and an interior periphery of the basin have a substantially similar shape (e.g., correspondingly shaped). As shown in  FIG. 6 , which is a cross-section of  FIG. 5  taken along section lines A-A′, the manifold plate  130  is a substantially solid plate with the apertures  128  that pass through its surface. Disposed about the periphery  150  of the manifold plate is a seal  160 . The seal  160 , may be formed of any resilient element including, without limitation, natural materials and rubbers and synthetic materials (Ethylene-Propylene; EPDM, silicone etc.). Typically, the seal  160  is disposed within a peripheral recess or kerf  162  around the periphery  150  of the manifold plate  130 . The seal  160  allows the periphery  150  manifold plate  130  to sealingly engage an inside periphery of the basin  10 , when disposed therein. See  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Though discussed as creating a seal between the manifold plate  130  and the basin  10 , it will be appreciated that the engagement between the plate  130  and basin need not prevent passage of all fluid flow. Rather, it is sufficient that a majority of the water received from the riser  40  passes through the plurality of apertures  128  while reducing the flow of water between the periphery  150  of the plate and inside periphery of the basin  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the basin  10  may include a tapered sidewall about it periphery to facilitate engagement with the manifold plate. However, this is not a requirement. 
         [0033]    When the manifold plate  130  is disposed within the basin  10  such that the seal  160  substantially engages the inside periphery of the basin  10 , the manifold plate  130  and a lower portion of the basin  10  define an enclosed manifold area  138 . As above, water received by the riser  40  passes into the enclosed manifold area  138  below the manifold plate  130  and disperses through the plurality of apertures  128  in the manifold plate  130  and into the interior of the basin. As above, the water flows by a frozen food item  2  placed in the basin above the manifold plate while displacing water over a top edge  16  of the basin. 
         [0034]    The number and size of the apertures  28  in the manifold body and/or apertures  128  the manifold plate  130  may be selected based on a desired flow rate (e.g., ½ gal/min). Further the pattern of the apertures  28  may be selected to direct water in desired locations within a basin. In one embodiment the number and size of the apertures  28  may vary based on proximity to the manifold riser  40  (e.g., smaller and/or fewer apertures near the riser outlet and larger and/or more outlets at locations further from the riser outlet) to more evenly disperse water into the basin. The density of apertures may also be selected based, for instance, on the size of the manifold body and/or manifold plate. By way of example, there may be 1 aperture per square inch of surface area of the manifold body/plate. Such density may be increased or decreased depending on desired use and/or fluid flow. Further, the apertures may be uniformly sized or utilize varying sizes. For example, apertures may be sized between about 1/16 th  of an inch and about ½ of an inch. Even further, the apertures may be arranged in various patterns such as a rectangle, square, circle, or in any shape that may otherwise increase the flow of water as required. Finally, plugs may be provided (not shown) that allow a user to selectively open/close various apertures. 
         [0035]    The devices may be of any size. For example the devices and basins may be sized for receipt in a standard sized commercial sink. This may allow for defrosting of multiple items at one time. However, the devices may be smaller specifically sized for individual frozen items. Further, larger devices may be provided that allow defrosting larger items or multiple of frozen items at one time. The devices may be constructed of any material. For example, the devices may be constructed using steel, aluminum, plastic, and/or food grade stainless steels or any combination of the same. 
         [0036]    In use, a user disposes the device  20 / 120  into a basin  20 . A frozen item  2  may then be placed into the basin above an upper surface of the device. Alternatively a spacing structure may be placed on top of the device to prevent a frozen food item from blocking some of the apertures. For instance, placing a porous or hollow structure on the device may promote the flow of defrosting fluid around the frozen item while preventing blockage of some of the apertures. In any embodiment, a water source supplies a flow of water to the riser causing the basin to fill and overflow with water. The rate of the supply of water to the device may be adjusted in any manner. For example, the rate of flow may initially be high to rapidly fill the basin. Subsequently a user may reduce the flow of water to a lower rate. The rate may be reduced to achieve a regulated water refresh rate as required by health regulations. Further the rate may be reduced or even stopped once the basin is filled. 
         [0037]    In order to gauge the amount of water used by the devices, the devices may include one or more indicia lines  18  and or text on the riser  40 . See, e.g.,  FIG. 4 . The indicia lines and/or text may correspond to a volumetric fluid flow through the apertures in the manifold body/plate. In this regard, the indicia lines may correspond to a fluid flow based on the head pressure in the riser and the combined area of the apertures in the manifold body/plate. Adjusting the fluid flow to maintain a water level in the riser at an indicia line or between adjacent indicia lines allows a user to gauge the amount of water flowing through the device. This may allow a user to reduce water usage while maintaining a desired defrosting rate and/or to achieve a minimum flow rate to meet health and safety regulations. In order to better utilize the indicia on the riser, the riser may be made of a transparent or translucent material. 
         [0038]    There are many alternatives to the specifics discussed herein. For example, the device may instead be used to cool an item disposed within a basin. Further, any of the features shown in any of the embodiments could be incorporated into or combined with any other feature or design discussed herein. As a further example, any of the functionality of any of the described components could be combined with other components or further separated. 
         [0039]    While the embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered as examples and not restrictive in character. For example, certain embodiments described hereinabove may be combinable with other described embodiments and/or arranged in other ways (e.g., process elements may be performed in other sequences). Accordingly, it should be understood that only example embodiments and variants thereof have been shown and described.

Technology Category: a