Cooling system

Abstract

A system for cooling a product includes an enclosed environment having an outlet, an inlet, and a temperature in a first temperature range. An antechamber is at least partially surrounding the inlet of the enclosed environment and has a temperature in a second temperature range. A conveyor system includes a conveyor path extending between the inlet and the outlet of the enclosed environment and provides a spiral travel path. The temperature range of the enclosed environment is configured to cool the product before the product exits through the outlet of the enclosed environment.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system for cooling a product comprising:
 an enclosed environment having an outlet, an inlet, and a temperature in a first temperature range;   an antechamber at least partially surrounding the inlet of the enclosed environment, the antechamber having a temperature in a second temperature range;   a conveyor system including a conveyor path extending between the inlet and the outlet of the enclosed environment and providing a spiral travel path; and   wherein the temperature range of the enclosed environment is configured to cool the product before the product exits through the outlet of the enclosed environment.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the conveyor path includes an inlet portion disposed at a first height and an outlet portion disposed at a second height greater than the first height. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the conveyor path includes an inlet portion at least partially disposed in the antechamber and extending through the inlet of the enclosed environment. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the conveyor path moves in an ascending spiral. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the antechamber includes a pneumatic door controllable to open and close to receive a product before the product enters the enclosed environment. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a refrigeration control system to control the temperature in the first temperature range and the temperature in the second temperature range. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a conveyor control system to control the speed of the conveyor path. 
     
     
         8 . A system for cooling a product comprising:
 an enclosed environment having an inlet and an outlet; and   a conveyor system including a conveyor path extending between the inlet and the outlet of the enclosed environment, the conveyor path including an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a spiral portion connecting the inlet and outlet portions, the inlet portion being adjacent to the inlet of the enclosed environment and the outlet portion adjacent to the outlet of the enclosed environment;   wherein the spiral portion defines an ascending spiral travel path to transport a product from the inlet to the outlet of the enclosed environment.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising an antechamber coupled to an exterior wall of the enclosed environment and at least partially surrounding the inlet of the enclosed environment. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the antechamber includes a pneumatic door controllable to open and close to receive a product before the product enters the enclosed environment. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the inlet portion of the conveyor path is at least partially disposed in the antechamber and extends through the inlet of the enclosed environment. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the enclosed environment has a temperature in a first temperature range and the antechamber has a temperature in a second temperature range. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a refrigeration control system to control the temperature in the first temperature range and the temperature in the second temperature range. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a conveyor control system to control the speed of the conveyor path. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the inlet portion of the conveyor path is disposed at a first height and the outlet portion of the conveyor path is disposed at a second height greater than the first height. 
     
     
         16 . A method of cooling a product comprising:
 placing a product in an antechamber connected to an inlet of an enclosed environment, the enclosed environment having the inlet, an outlet, and a conveyor disposed in the enclosed environment and extending from the inlet to the outlet;   transporting the product from the antechamber into the enclosed environment;   cooling the product as the product travels on a spiral travel path between the inlet and the outlet;   delivering a cooled product through the outlet of the enclosed environment.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , setting, via a control system, a first temperature in a first temperature range of the enclosed environment and a second temperature in a second temperature range of the antechamber. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein cooling the product includes transporting the product between the inlet and the outlet in an ascending spiral travel path. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein placing a product in an antechamber includes automatically opening a door to the antechamber to receive the product and immediately closing the door after receiving the product. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein transporting the product includes conveying the product via a conveyor belt from the antechamber to the enclosed environment.