Cryogenic deep-freezing device for products using a porous conveyor belt

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for freezing articles, that comprises a conveyor with a porous belt maintained in position inside the device by drums, and a means for impregnating the belt of said conveyor with a cryogenic liquid, wherein the impregnation of the belt is carried out by partially or totally immersing the belt in a bath of cryogenic liquid, characterised in that it comprises a means for pressing the belt of the conveyor onto one of said drums.

1 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A device for the deep-freezing of articles, the device comprising a porous conveyor belt held in place in the device by drums, means for pressing the belt onto one of said drums, and a bath of cryogenic liquid for entirely or partly immersing the belt to impregnate the belt with cryogenic liquid. 
     
     
         7 . The device as claimed in  claim 6 , characterized in that said pressing means comprises a system of rollers fastened to a free wheel capable of pressing the belt onto the drum and of following the movement of the drum. 
     
     
         8 . The device as claimed in  claim 7 , further comprising a space between the belt and a bottom of a tank containing the bath, the space being suitable for enabling gas bubbles that form beneath the belt within the bath to completely or partly escape via “entry” and “exit” sides of the belt, thus preventing an overpressure from being created beneath the belt. 
     
     
         9 . The device as claimed in  claim 8 , characterized in that said space has a height lying in the 1 cm-10 cm range. 
     
     
         10 . The device as claimed in  claim 6 , characterized in that said porous conveyor belt is made of a fabric made of synthetic or natural polymer. 
     
     
         11 . The device as claimed in  claim 10 , characterized in that said pressing means comprises a system of rollers fastened to a free wheel capable of pressing the belt onto the drum and of following the movement of the drum. 
     
     
         12 . The device as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising a space between the belt and a bottom of a tank containing the bath, the space being suitable for enabling gas bubbles that form beneath the belt within the bath to completely or partly escape via “entry” and “exit” sides of the belt, thus preventing an overpressure from being created beneath the belt. 
     
     
         13 . The device as claimed in  claim 12 , characterized in that said space has a height lying in the 1 cm-10 cm range. 
     
     
         14 . The device as claimed in  claim 10 , characterized in that the fabric is polyester. 
     
     
         15 . The device as claimed in  claim 14 , characterized in that said pressing means comprises a system of rollers fastened to a free wheel capable of pressing the belt onto the drum and of following the movement of the drum. 
     
     
         16 . The device as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising a space between the belt and a bottom of a tank containing the bath, the space being suitable for enabling gas bubbles that form beneath the belt within the bath to completely or partly escape via “entry” and “exit” sides of the belt, thus preventing an overpressure from being created beneath the belt. 
     
     
         17 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , characterized in that said space has a height lying in the 1 cm-10 cm range.