Apparatus for blast freezing a product

Abstract

An apparatus for freezing a commodity includes a plurality of boxes arranged in two rows with a space formed therebetween. A cover is provided for sealing the space along the two rows of boxes. A plenum is formed between the two rows of boxes with the plurality of boxes being positioned side-by-side. At least one air handler is positioned to pull air 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. The air may be forced through the at least one air handler, along the length of the space formed between the two rows of boxes and through ventilation holes in the boxes and/or through spacers positioned underneath adjacent boxes for evenly freezing a commodity.

1 . An apparatus to freeze a commodity comprising:
 a plurality of boxes of a commodity arranged in two rows with a space formed therebetween;   a plenum formed between said two rows of boxes to permit a flow of air through ventilation holes in the boxes; and   at least one air handler positioned to pull 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;   wherein an even flow of air is achieved through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows of boxes for evenly freezing a commodity positioned in the boxes.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said commodity is a food product. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one air handler is positioned 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. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one air handler includes a housing in communication with the plenum and at least one fan is 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. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , and further including a cover for covering any space foamed between adjacent boxes. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one air handler is mounted above and in direct communication with the plenum and at least one fan operatively connected to a motor is 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. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , and further including two or more air handler, each air handler being mounted above and in direct communication with the plenum each air handler being positioned between the rows of boxes and at least one fan is operatively connected to a motor disposed within each of 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. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , and further including a cover extending along end surfaces of the space for sealing the space between the two rows of boxes to form the plenum. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the cover for covering any space formed between adjacent boxes is positioned on an exterior surface of the boxes. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the cover for covering any space formed between adjacent boxes is positioned on an interior surface of the boxes. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus to freeze a commodity comprising:
 a plurality of boxes of a commodity arranged in two rows with a space formed therebetween;   ventilation spacers being positioned at least underneath adjacent boxes for providing ventilation therebetween;   a plenum formed between said two rows of boxes; and   at least one air handler positioned to pull 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 spacers disposed underneath the boxes and along a length of the space formed between the two rows and discharging the air therefrom;   wherein an even flow of air is achieved through the ventilation spacers and along the length of the space formed between the two rows of boxes for evenly freezing a commodity positioned in the boxes.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the ventilation spacers are a corrugated material to permit air to be pulled through the corrugated material disposed underneath the boxes. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the ventilation spacers are plastic formed spacers to permit air to be pulled through the plastic formed spacers disposed underneath the boxes. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the ventilation spacers are wood slat spacers to permit air to be pulled through the wood slat spacers disposed underneath the boxes. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus to freeze a commodity comprising:
 a first box of a commodity;   a second box of a commodity;   said first and second boxes being arranged in two rows with a space formed therebetween;   a plenum formed between said two rows of boxes; and   at least one air handler positioned to pull 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 two rows and discharging the air therefrom;   wherein an even flow of air is achieved through the first box and the second box for evenly freezing a commodity positioned in the boxes.   
     
     
         16 . An apparatus to freeze a commodity comprising:
 a plurality of pallets of a commodity arranged in two rows having a predetermined length or height with a space formed therebetween;   ventilation spacers positioned underneath at least adjacent boxes positioned on the pallets wherein ventilation is provided therebetween;   a plenum formed between said two rows of pallets wherein a flow of air is pulled through the ventilation spacers disposed underneath the boxes on the pallets; and   at least one air handler positioned to pull 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 spacers and along a length of the space formed between the two rows and discharging the air therefrom;   wherein an even flow of air is achieved through the ventilation spacers and along the length of the space formed between the two rows for evenly freezing a commodity positioned in the boxes.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein said commodity is a food product. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one air handler is positioned approximately midway between the two rows of pallets for evenly pulling air through the ventilation spacers and along the length of the space formed between the two rows. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one air handler includes a housing in communication with the plenum and at least one fan operatively connected to a motor disposed within the housing for pulling air through the ventilation spacers and along the length of the space formed between the two rows. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one air handler is mounted above and in direct communication with the plenum and at least one fan is operatively connected to a motor disposed within the at least one air handler for pulling air through the ventilation spacers and along the length of the space formed between the two rows. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , and further including two or more air handler, each air handler being mounted above and in direct communication with the plenum each air handler being positioned between the rows of pallets and at least one fan is operatively connected to a motor disposed within each of the two or more air handlers for pulling air through the ventilation spacers and along the length of the space formed between the two rows. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , and further including a cover extending along end surfaces of the space for sealing the space between the two rows of pallets to form the plenum. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , and further including a cover for covering any space formed between adjacent pallets, said cover being positioned on an exterior surface of the pallets. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , and further including a cover for covering any space formed between adjacent pallets, said cover being positioned on an interior surface of the boxes facing the space between the pallets. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus to freeze a commodity comprising:
 a plurality of pallets of a commodity arranged in two rows with a space foiined therebetween;   a plenum formed between said two rows of pallets to permit a flow of air through ventilation holes in the boxes positioned on the pallets; and   at least one air handler positioned to pull 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;   wherein an even flow of air is achieved through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows of pallets for evenly freezing a commodity positioned in the boxes.   
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein said commodity is a food product. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the at least one air handler is positioned approximately midway between the two rows of pallets for evenly pulling air through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the at least one air handler includes a housing in communication with the plenum and at least one fan is 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. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the at least one air handler is mounted above and in direct communication with the plenum and at least one fan operatively connected to a motor is disposed within the at least one air handler for pulling air through the ventilation holes in the pallets and along the length of the space formed between the two rows. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 , and further including two or more air handler, each air handler being mounted above and in direct communication with the plenum each air handler being positioned between the rows of pallets and at least one fan is operatively connected to a motor disposed within each of 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. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 , and further including a cover extending along end surfaces of the space for sealing the space between the two rows of pallets to form the plenum. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 , and further including a cover for covering any space formed between adjacent pallets, said cover being positioned on an exterior surface of the pallets. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 , and further including a cover for covering any space formed between adjacent pallets, said cover being positioned on an interior surface of the boxes facing the space between the pallets. 
     
     
         34 . An apparatus to freeze a commodity comprising:
 a plurality of boxes of a commodity arranged in two rows with a space formed therebetween;   a plenum formed between said two rows of boxes to permit a flow of air through ventilation holes in the boxes; and   at least one air handler positioned to force 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 at least one air handler, along a length of the space formed between the two rows and through the ventilation holes in the boxes and discharging the air therefrom;   wherein an even flow of air is achieved through the at least one air handler, along the length of the space formed between the two rows of boxes and through the ventilation holes in the boxes for evenly freezing a commodity positioned in the boxes.   
     
     
         35 . An apparatus to freeze a commodity comprising:
 a plurality of boxes of a commodity arranged in two rows with a space formed therebetween;   ventilation spacers being positioned at least underneath adjacent boxes for providing ventilation therebetween;   a plenum formed between said two rows of boxes; and   at least one air handler positioned to force 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 at least one air handler, along a length of the space formed between the two rows and through the ventilation spacers disposed underneath the boxes and discharging the air therefrom;   wherein an even flow of air is achieved through the at least one air handler, along the length of the space formed between the two rows of boxes and through the ventilation spacers for evenly freezing a commodity positioned in the boxes.   
     
     
         36 . An apparatus to freeze a commodity comprising:
 a first box of a commodity;   a second box of a commodity;   said first and second boxes being arranged in two rows with a space for formed therebetween;   a plenum formed between said two rows of boxes; and   at least one air handler positioned to force 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 at least one air handler, along a length of the space formed between the two rows and through the first and second boxes and discharging the air therefrom;   wherein an even flow of air is achieved through the at least one air handler, along the length of the space formed between the first and second boxes and through the first box and the second box for evenly freezing a commodity positioned in the boxes.   
     
     
         37 . An apparatus to freeze a commodity comprising:
 a plurality of pallets of a commodity arranged in two rows having a predetermined length or height with a space formed therebetween;   ventilation spacers positioned underneath at least adjacent boxes positioned on the pallets wherein ventilation is provided therebetween;   a plenum formed between said two rows of pallets wherein a flow of air is forced through the ventilation spacers disposed underneath the boxes on the pallets; and   at least one air handler positioned to force 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 at least one air handler, along a length of the space formed between the two rows and through the ventilation spacers and discharging the air therefrom;   wherein an even flow of air is achieved through the at least one air handler, along the length of the space formed between the two rows and through the ventilation spacers for evenly freezing a commodity positioned in the boxes.   
     
     
         38 . An apparatus to freeze a commodity comprising:
 a plurality of pallets of a commodity arranged in two rows with a space formed therebetween;   a plenum formed between said two rows of pallets to permit a flow of air through ventilation holes in the boxes positioned on the pallets; and   at least one air handler positioned to force 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 at least one air handler, along a length of the space formed between the two rows and through the ventilation holes in the boxes and discharging the air therefrom;   wherein an even flow of air is achieved through the at least one air handler, along the length of the space formed between the two rows of pallets and through the ventilation holes in the boxes for evenly freezing a commodity positioned in the boxes.