Freezer apparatus

Abstract

A freezer for a product includes a housing having a space therein, and an inlet and an outlet in communication with the space; a conveyor having a first side for conveying the product through the space, and a second side opposite to the first side; an agitating apparatus disposed proximate the conveyor for contacting the conveyor at select intervals to agitate the conveyor and displace the product at the first side; a first longitudinal member disposed proximate the first side of the conveyor and having at least one hole extending therethrough; and at least one circulation device disposed in the space proximate the longitudinal member for directing a cryogenic substance through the at least one hole onto the product.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A freezer for a product, comprising:
 a housing having a space therein, and an inlet and an outlet in communication with the space;   a conveyor having a first side for conveying the product through the space, and a second side opposite to the first side;   an agitating apparatus disposed proximate the conveyor for contacting the conveyor at select intervals to agitate the conveyor and displace the product at the first side;   a first longitudinal member disposed proximate the first side of the conveyor and having at least one hole extending therethrough; and   at least one circulation device disposed in the space proximate the longitudinal member for directing a cryogenic substance through the at least one hole onto the product.   
     
     
         2 . The freezer of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one hole is in registration with the conveyor. 
     
     
         3 . The freezer of  claim 1 , wherein the first longitudinal member comprises a first plate having a plurality of the holes therethrough. 
     
     
         4 . The freezer of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one hole has a diameter of 6 mm to 50 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The freezer of  claim 1 , wherein the cryogenic substance is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and nitrogen (N 2 ). 
     
     
         6 . The freezer of  claim 1 , wherein the conveyor comprises a mesh surface area through which the cryogenic substance can pass. 
     
     
         7 . The freezer of  claim 1 , further comprising a second longitudinal member disposed proximate the second side of the conveyor and having at least another one hole extending therethrough. 
     
     
         8 . The freezer of  claim 7 , wherein the at least another one hole is in registration with the conveyor. 
     
     
         9 . The freezer of  claim 7 , wherein the second longitudinal member comprises a second plate having a plurality of the holes therethrough. 
     
     
         10 . The freezer of  claim 7 , wherein the at least another one hole has a diameter of 6 mm to 50 mm. 
     
     
         11 . The freezer of  claim 7 , wherein the cryogenic substance is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and nitrogen (N 2 ). 
     
     
         12 . The freezer of  claim 7 , wherein the conveyor comprises a mesh surface area through which the cryogenic substance can pass. 
     
     
         13 . The freezer of  claim 1 , wherein the agitating apparatus is disposed proximate the second side of the conveyor. 
     
     
         14 . The freezer of  claim 13 , wherein the agitating apparatus comprises a cam. 
     
     
         15 . The freezer of  claim 1 , wherein the product comprises a food product.