Method for blast freezing a product

Abstract

A method for freezing a commodity includes a plurality of boxes arranged in two rows with a space formed therebetween. A plenum is formed between the two rows of boxes with the plurality of boxes being positioned side-by-side. Air is pulled through and/or around the plurality of boxes and through ventilation holes in the boxes and/or through spacers positioned underneath adjacent boxes and along a length of the space formed between the two rows. The air may be discharged upwardly, horizontally or downwardly therefrom. In addition, the air may be forced through the plenum, along the length of the space formed between the two rows and through ventilation holes in the boxes and/or through spacers positioned underneath adjacent boxes for evenly freezing a commodity positioned in the boxes.

1 . A method to freeze a commodity comprising the following steps:
 positioning a plurality of boxes of a commodity arranged in two rows with a space formed therebetween;   forming a plenum between said two rows of boxes to permit a flow of air through ventilation holes in the boxes;   pulling air in a normal freezer temperature range of approximately 8 degrees F. to −20 degrees F. (−13.33 degrees C. to −28.88 degrees C.) through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along a length of the space formed between the two rows and discharging the air therefrom; and   providing an even flow of air to evenly pull air through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows of boxes to evenly freeze a commodity positioned in the boxes.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said commodity is a food product. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the commodity is a food product and the method is performed in a normal freezer that is maintained at a temperature in a temperature range of approximately 8 degrees F. to −20 degrees F. (−13.33 degrees C. to −28.88 degrees C.). 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the air is pulled from approximately midway between the two rows of boxes for evenly pulling air through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , and further including at least one air handler having a housing that includes a width that is approximately the size of a width of the two rows of boxes and a width of the plenum between the two rows of boxes of the commodity and at least one fan operatively connected to a motor disposed within the housing for pulling air through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , and further including the step of providing a sealing cover on top of the space for sealing the space between the two rows of boxes to form the plenum, wherein the boxes are at least one box in width along the predetermined length or height. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , and further including the step of providing a cover for covering any space formed between adjacent boxes. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , and further including at least one air handler mounted above and in direct communication with the plenum and at least one fan operatively connected to a motor disposed within the at least one air handler for pulling air through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , and further including two or more air handlers, each air handler being mounted above and in direct communication with the plenum, each air handler being positioned along the rows of boxes and at least one fan being operatively connected to a motor disposed within the two or more air handlers for pulling air through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 6 , and further including the step of extending the sealing cover along an end surface of the space for sealing the space between the two rows of boxes to form the plenum. 
     
     
         11 . A method to freeze a commodity comprising the following steps:
 providing a first box of a commodity;   providing a second box of a commodity;   providing said first and second boxes being disposed adjacent to each other with a space formed therebetween;   forming a plenum between said first box and said second box to permit a flow of air through the boxes;   pulling air in a normal freezer temperature range of approximately 8 degrees F. to −20 degrees F. (−13.33 degrees C. to −28.88 degrees C.) through the boxes and along a length of the space formed between the first box and second box and discharging the air therefrom; and   providing an even flow of air to evenly pull air through the first box and the second box and along the length of the space formed between the first and second boxes to evenly freeze a commodity positioned in the boxes.   
     
     
         12 . A method to freeze a commodity comprising the following steps:
 providing a plurality of pallets of a commodity arranged in two rows having a predetermined length or height with a space formed therebetween;   providing ventilation spacers underneath at least adjacent boxes positioned on the pallets wherein ventilation is provided therebetween;   forming a plenum between said two rows of pallets wherein a flow of air is pulled through the ventilation spacers disposed underneath the boxes on the pallets;   pulling air in a normal freezer temperature range of approximately 8 degrees F. to −20 degrees F. (−13.33 degrees C. to −28.88 degrees C.) through the ventilation spacer disposed underneath the boxes and along a length of the space formed between the two rows and discharging the air therefrom; and   providing an even flow of air to evenly pull air through the ventilation spacers and along the length of the space formed between the two rows of pallets to evenly freeze a commodity positioned in the boxes on the pallets.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said commodity is a food product. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , and further including at least one air handler having a housing that includes a width that is approximately the size of a width of the two rows of pallets and the width of the plenum between the two rows of pallets of the commodity and at least one fan operatively connected to a motor disposed within the housing for pulling air through the ventilation spacers positioned underneath at least adjacent boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 12 , and further including the step of providing a sealing cover on top of the space for sealing the space between the two rows of pallets to form the plenum. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 12 , and further including the step of providing a cover for covering any space formed between adjacent boxes. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 12 , and further including at least one air handler mounted above and in direct communication with the plenum and at least one fan operatively connected to a motor disposed within the at least one air handler for pulling air through the ventilation spacers underneath at least adjacent boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 12 , and further including two or more air handlers, each air handler being mounted above and in direct communication with the plenum, each air handler being positioned along the rows of boxes and at least one fan being operatively connected to a motor disposed within the two or more air handlers for pulling air through the ventilation spacers underneath at least adjacent boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 15 , and further including the step of extending the sealing cover along an end surface of the space for sealing the space between the two rows of boxes to form the plenum. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said ventilation spacers are constructed of corrugated material. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said ventilation spacers are constructed of wood slats. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said ventilation spacers are constructed of plastic material. 
     
     
         23 . A method to freeze a commodity comprising the following steps:
 positioning a plurality of boxes of a commodity arranged in two rows with a space formed therebetween;   forming a plenum between said two rows of boxes to permit a flow of air through ventilation holes in the boxes;   forcing air in a normal freezer temperature range of approximately 8 degrees F. to −20 degrees F. (−13.33 degrees C. to −28.88 degrees C.) through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along a length of the space formed between the two rows and discharging the air therefrom; and   providing an even flow of air to evenly force air along the length of the space formed between the two rows of boxes and through the ventilation holes in the boxes to evenly freeze a commodity positioned in the boxes.   
     
     
         24 . A method to freeze a commodity comprising the following steps:
 providing a first box of a commodity;   providing a second box of a commodity;   providing said first and second boxes being disposed adjacent to each other with a space formed therebetween;   forming a plenum between said first box and said second box to permit a flow of air through the boxes;   forcing air in a normal freezer temperature range of approximately 8 degrees F. to −20 degrees F. (−13.33 degrees C. to −28.88 degrees C.) along a length of the space formed between the first box and second box and through the first and second boxes and discharging the air therefrom; and   providing an even flow of air to evenly force air along the length of the space formed between the first and second boxes and through the first box and the second box to evenly freeze a commodity positioned in the boxes.   
     
     
         25 . A method to freeze a commodity comprising the following steps:
 providing a plurality of pallets of a commodity arranged in two rows having a predetermined length or height with a space formed therebetween;   providing ventilation spacers underneath at least adjacent boxes positioned on the pallets wherein ventilation is provided therebetween;   forming a plenum between said two rows of pallets wherein a flow of air is forced through the ventilation spacers disposed underneath the boxes on the pallets;   forcing air in a normal freezer temperature range of approximately 8 degrees F. to −20 degrees F. (−13.33 degrees C. to −28.88 degrees C.) along a length of the space formed between the two rows and through the ventilation spacer disposed underneath the boxes and discharging the air therefrom; and   providing an even flow of air to evenly force air along the length of the space formed between the two rows of pallets and through the ventilation spacers to evenly freeze a commodity positioned in the boxes on the pallets.