Method and device for refrigerating and/or freezing articles

Abstract

A method and a device for refrigerating and/or freezing articles, in particular foodstuffs. The articles are conveyed by a conveyor belt through a treatment zone, where they are sprayed with a refrigerant from above through spray equipment. To prevent refrigerant from flowing down, a reflector level for collecting refrigerant is mounted beneath the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt and the articles on it are therefore additionally cooled from beneath.

1 . Device for refrigerating and/or freezing articles having a conveyor belt situated in a treatment zone for conveying the articles through the treatment zone and having spray equipment mounted above the conveyor belt for spraying refrigerant onto the articles, wherein a reflector level for collecting refrigerant is mounted beneath the conveyor belt.  
   
   
       2 . Device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the reflector level is a plate.  
   
   
       3 . Device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the reflector level is arranged at a distance of 0 mm to 40 mm beneath the conveyor belt.  
   
   
       4 . Device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the conveyor belt is as a mesh belt.  
   
   
       5 . Device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the spray equipment is connected to a liquid gas source.  
   
   
       6 . Method for refrigerating and/or freezing articles, whereby the articles are conveyed by a conveyor belt through a treatment zone in which they are sprayed with a refrigerant from above, wherein refrigerant dripping down from the articles and/or refrigerant sprayed onto the conveyor belt is collected beneath the conveyor belt in such a way that the refrigerant cools the underside of the conveyor belt and the articles.  
   
   
       7 . A device for refrigerating and/or freezing articles, comprising: 
 a conveyor belt situated in a treatment zone for conveying the articles through the treatment zone;    refrigerant spray equipment located in the treatment zone above the conveyor belt for spraying refrigerant onto the articles; and    a reflector level located beneath the conveyor belt such that sprayed refrigerant passing beneath the conveyer belt is collected to cool the undersides of the conveyer belt and the articles.    
   
   
       8 . A method for refrigerating and/or freezing articles, comprising the steps of: 
 conveying the articles by a conveyor belt into a treatment zone;    spraying the articles in the treatment zone with a refrigerant from refrigerant spraying equipment located above the articles; and    collecting refrigerant passing beneath the conveyor belt beneath the conveyor belt such that the collected refrigerant cools the underside of the conveyor belt and the articles.