Apparatus and method for thawing a product

Abstract

A method and apparatus for thawing a commodity includes a plurality of boxes arranged in two rows with a cover for sealing the space between the two rows. 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 provided for pulling air within a predetermined temperature range through ventilation holes in the boxes and along a length of the space formed between the two rows and discharging the air therefrom for thawing the commodity while not raising the temperature of the commodity above a mandated safe zone for longer than a predetermined time. In addition, the air may be forced 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 thawing a commodity positioned in the boxes.

1 . An apparatus to thaw a commodity comprising:
 a plurality of boxes of a commodity arranged in two rows having a predetermined length or height 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 pulling air within a predetermined temperature range through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along a length of the space formed between the two rows and discharging the air therefrom for thawing the commodity while not raising the temperature of the commodity above a mandated safe zone for longer than a predetermined time;   wherein an even flow of air is pulled through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows of boxes to evenly thaw 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 commodity is a food product and the apparatus is positioned in a cooler that is maintained at a temperature range of 37 degrees F. to 70 degrees F. (2.77 degrees C. to 21.11 degrees C.). 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one air handler is positioned approximately midway between the two rows of boxes to evenly pull 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 , wherein said at least one air handler including a housing in communication with the plenum between the two rows of boxes of the commodity said at least one air handler being disposed within the housing to pull air through the ventilation holes in the plurality of boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one air handler includes at least one fan operatively connected to a motor being disposed within the housing to evenly pull air through the ventilation holes in the plurality of boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , and further including 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. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , and further including a cover for covering any space formed between adjacent boxes and being positioned on an exterior surface of the boxes. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , and further including a cover for covering any space formed between adjacent boxes and being positioned on an interior surface of the boxes. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus 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 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 to pull air through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the sealing cover extends along end surfaces of the two rows of boxes to seal the end surface of the space between the two rows of boxes to form the plenum. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one air handler is positioned above the two rows of boxes and being in communication with the plenum formed therebetween to evenly pull air through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein two air handlers are mounted above the two rows of boxes and being in direct communication with the plenum formed therebetween to evenly pull air through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows, said two air handlers being spaced a predetermined distance from each other. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus to thaw a commodity comprising:
 a first box of a commodity;   a second box of a commodity;   said first and second boxes being disposed adjacent to each other with a space formed therebetween;   a plenum between said first box and said second box to permit a flow of air through the boxes; and   at least one air handler pulling air within a predetermined temperature range through the boxes and along a length of the space formed between the first and second boxes and discharging the air therefrom for thawing the commodity while not raising the temperature of the commodity above a mandated safe zone for longer than a predetermined time;   wherein an even flow of air is evenly pulled through the first box and the second box and along the length of the space formed between the first box and the second box to evenly thaw a commodity positioned in the boxes.   
     
     
         15 . An apparatus to thaw 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 between said two rows of pallets wherein a flow of air is pulled through the ventilation spacers disposed between the boxes on the pallets; and   at least one air handler pulling air within a predetermined temperature range through the boxes and along a length of the space formed between the two rows and discharging the air therefrom for thawing the commodity while not raising the temperature of the commodity above a mandated safe zone for longer than a predetermined time;   wherein an even flow of air is evenly pull air through the ventilation spacers and along the length of the space formed between the two rows of pallets to evenly thaw a commodity positioned in the boxes on the pallets.   
     
     
         16 . A method to thaw 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 within a predetermined temperature range through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along a length of the space formed between the two rows and discharging the air therefrom for thawing the commodity while not raising the temperature of the commodity above a mandated safe zone for longer than a predetermined time; 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 thaw a commodity positioned in the boxes.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said commodity is a food product. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the commodity is a food product and the method is performed in a cooler that is maintained at a temperature in a temperature range of 37 degrees F. to 40 degrees F. (2.77 degrees C. to 4.44 degrees C.). 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16 , 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. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 16 , and further including the step of providing at least one air handler having 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 holes in the boxes and along the length of the space formed between the two rows. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 16 , and further including the step of providing a sealing cover positioned on top of 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. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 16 , and further including the step of providing a cover for covering any space formed between adjacent boxes, said cover being positioned on an exterior surface of the boxes. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 16 , and further including the step of providing a cover for covering any space formed between adjacent boxes, said cover being positioned on an interior surface of the boxes. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 16 , and further including the step of providing 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. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 16 , and further including the step of providing two or more air handlers, 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 being 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. 
     
     
         26 . A method to thaw 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 within a predetermined temperature range through the boxes and along a length of the space formed between the first and second boxes and discharging the air therefrom for thawing the commodity while not raising the temperature of the commodity above a mandated safe zone for longer than a predetermined time; 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 thaw a commodity positioned in the boxes.   
     
     
         27 . A method to thaw 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 between the boxes on the pallets;   pulling air within a predetermined temperature range through the ventilation spacers and along a length of the space formed between the two rows and discharging the air therefrom for thawing the commodity while not raising the temperature of the commodity above a mandated safe zone for longer than a predetermined time; 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 thaw a commodity positioned in the boxes on the pallets.   
     
     
         28 . An apparatus to thaw a commodity comprising:
 a plurality of boxes of a commodity arranged in two rows having a predetermined length or height 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 forcing air within a predetermined temperature range through the at least one air handler, along a length of the space formed between the two rows and through ventilation holes in the boxes and discharging the air therefrom for thawing the commodity while not raising the temperature of the commodity above a mandated safe zone for longer than a predetermined time;   wherein an even flow of air is 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 to evenly thaw a commodity positioned in the boxes.   
     
     
         29 . An apparatus to thaw a commodity comprising:
 a first box of a commodity;   a second box of a commodity;   said first and second boxes being disposed adjacent to each other with a space formed therebetween;   a plenum between said first box and said second box to permit a flow of air through the boxes; and   at least one air handler forcing air within a predetermined temperature range through the at least one air handler, along a length of the space formed between the first and second boxes and through the boxes and discharging the air therefrom for thawing the commodity while not raising the temperature of the commodity above a mandated safe zone for longer than a predetermined time;   wherein an even flow of air is evenly forced 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 to evenly thaw a commodity positioned in the boxes.   
     
     
         30 . An apparatus to thaw 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 between said two rows of pallets wherein a flow of air is forced through the ventilation spacers disposed between the boxes on the pallets; and   at least one air handler forcing air within a predetermined temperature range through the air handler, along a length of the space formed between the two rows and through the ventilation spacers positioned underneath at least adjacent boxes and discharging the air therefrom for thawing the commodity while not raising the temperature of the commodity above a mandated safe zone for longer than a predetermined time;   wherein an even flow of air is evenly forced air through the at least one air handler, along the length of the space formed between the two rows of pallets and through the ventilation spacers to evenly thaw a commodity positioned in the boxes on the pallets.   
     
     
         31 . A method to thaw 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 within a predetermined temperature range along a length of the space formed between the two rows and through the ventilation holes in the boxes and discharging the air therefrom for thawing the commodity while not raising the temperature of the commodity above a mandated safe zone for longer than a predetermined time; 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 thaw a commodity positioned in the boxes.   
     
     
         32 . A method to thaw 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 within a predetermined temperature range along a length of the space formed between the first and second boxes and through the boxes and discharging the air therefrom for thawing the commodity while not raising the temperature of the commodity above a mandated safe zone for longer than a predetermined time; 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 thaw a commodity positioned in the boxes.   
     
     
         33 . A method to thaw 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 between the boxes on the pallets;   forcing air within a predetermined temperature range along a length of the space formed between the two rows and through the ventilation spacers and discharging the air therefrom for thawing the commodity while not raising the temperature of the commodity above a mandated safe zone for longer than a predetermined time; 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 thaw a commodity positioned in the boxes on the pallets.