Electrostatically charged cryogen fog

Abstract

An apparatus for providing electrostatically charged cryogen fog to a product includes an injection tube having a chamber therein for receiving a cryogenic substance introduced into the chamber and to be provided to the product, a first inlet in communication with the chamber for providing the cryogenic substance to the chamber, an electrostatic device in communication with the chamber for charging the cryogenic substance with a charge opposite to a charge of the product, and an outlet in communication with the chamber and through which the charged cryogenic substance is exhausted to be attracted to the product for adhesion thereto. A method of providing an electrostatically charged nitrogen fog to a product is also provided.

1 . An apparatus for providing electrostatically charged cryogen fog to a product, comprising an injection tube having a chamber therein for receiving a cryogenic substance introduced into the chamber and to be provided to the product, a first inlet in communication with the chamber for providing the cryogenic substance to the chamber, an electrostatic device in communication with the chamber for charging the cryogenic substance with a charge opposite to a charge of the product, and an outlet in communication with the chamber and through which the charged cryogenic substance is exhausted to be attracted to the product for adhesion thereto. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the product comprises a food product. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cryogenic substance comprises liquid droplets selected from carbon dioxide and nitrogen. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the injection tube further comprises a second inlet in communication with the chamber for providing a carrier gas to the cryogenic substance to be exhausted at the outlet. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the carrier gas comprises a gaseous equivalent of the cryogenic substance. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electrostactic device comprises a portion disposed in the chamber, the portion having a surface area exposed to the cryogenic substance. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the injection tube comprises insulation at an exterior surface thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the injection tube comprises a nozzle. 
     
     
         9 . A method of providing an electrostatically charged cryogen fog to a product, comprising charging a cryogenic substance with a first charge, providing a product with a second charge opposite to the first charge and in relative proximity to the cryogenic substance, repulsing the cryogenic substance with the first charge to be attracted to the product having the second charge, and attracting the cryogenic substance to the product for adhering thereto. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the product comprises a food product. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the cryogenic substance comprises liquid droplets selected from carbon dioxide and nitrogen. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising providing a carrier gas to the cryogenic substance for carrying the cryogenic substance from the charging to the adhering of the cryogenic substance to the product. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the carrier gas comprises a gaseous equivalent of the cryogenic substance. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising atomizing the cryogenic substance after repulsing the cryogenic substance. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising atomizing the cryogenic substance before charging the cryogenic substance.