Thermoformed film belt freezer

Abstract

The following paragraph is to replace the previous version of the abstract, and includes markings to show all the changes made relative to the previous version: An apparatus and method for chilling or freezing a product includes a freezer having a freezing chamber therein in which a cryogenic substance is provided, and an inlet and an outlet in communication with the freezing chamber; and a plastic film belt constructed and arranged to transport the product from the inlet through the freezing chamber for exposure to the cryogenic substance to the outlet for removal of the product for further processing. The plastic film belt may be formed with one or a plurality of pockets to transport a corresponding amount of product.

1 . An apparatus for chilling or freezing a product, comprising:
 a freezer having a freezing chamber therein in which a cryogenic substance is provided, and an inlet and an outlet in communication with the freezing chamber; and   a plastic film belt constructed and arranged to transport the product from the inlet through the freezing chamber for exposure to the cryogenic substance to the outlet for removal of the product for further processing.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plastic film belt originates from a spool of plastic film. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet, the freezing chamber and the outlet are sized and shaped to receive a portion of the plastic film belt. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plastic film belt further comprises a plurality of pockets formed therein, each one of said plurality of pockets sized and shaped for receiving one or a plurality of the product and the cryogenic substance within the pocket. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cryogenic substance is selected from liquid nitrogen and liquid carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the product is a food product. 
     
     
         7 . A method for transporting a product to be chilled or frozen, comprising:
 providing a plastic film belt of flexible material;   forming a plurality of pockets in the plastic film belt, each one of the plurality of pockets sized and shaped to receive one or a plurality of the products therein for chilling or freezing; and   providing a cryogenic substance to the plurality of pockets for contacting the cryogenic substance with the plurality of products to be chilled or frozen.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein providing the cryogenic substance comprises spraying the cryogenic substance onto the product in the plurality of pockets. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein providing the cryogenic substance comprises immersing the plastic film belt in a bath of the cryogenic substance. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the cryogenic substance is selected from liquid nitrogen and liquid carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising melting and recycling the plastic film belt for subsequent use. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the product is a food product. 
     
     
         13 . A method of using a plastic film belt having a plurality of pockets formed therein for chilling or freezing a product disposed in any one of the plurality of pockets, comprising conveying the plastic film belt through a freezer for exposing the plurality of pockets to a cryogenic substance dispensed in the freezer, and releasing frozen products from the plurality of pockets of the plastic film belt.