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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 336,900, filed on Jan. 23, 2006, which claimed priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 645,027, filed on Jan. 21, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for thawing a frozen commodity such as a food product.[0004]2. Description of Background Art[0005]A problem occurs in the food industry when it is desired to thaw a food product. For example, the food products may be positioned on a loading dock and subjected to ambient air to thaw the food products. Normally, a plurality of pallets of food products are arranged on the loading dock or in a warehouse and ambient air is blown or pushed towards the pallets. If the ambient air is at 72° Fahrenheit (22.22° Celsius), the first pallet of food produ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]It is a further object of the present invention to provide a plurality of pallets of the commodity that are formed in two rows with a space formed therebetween. A cover is positioned over the space to form a plenum. An air handler is positioned to pull air from between the plurality of pallets and through the ventilation holes in the boxes stacked on the pallets and along the length of the space formed between the two rows for achieving an even flow of air for thawing the commodity positioned on the pallets.

[0021]These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a method to thaw a commodity includes 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 the two rows of pallets wherein a flow of air is forced through the ventilation spacers disposed underneath the boxes on the pallets. Forcing air within a predetermined temperature range along a length of the space formed between the two rows, 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. 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.

Problems solved by technology

A problem occurs in the food industry when it is desired to thaw a food product.

The thawing of the food products on a loading docket or in a warehouse may lead to the growth of bacteria in the food products that may be transmitted to contaminate adjacent food products and other areas of the warehouse.

In addition, the thawing of a food product in this manner may lead to the discoloration of the food product.

Further, the food products will be thawed unevenly and thus lead to problems in determining which food products are properly thawed for delivery to a customer.

Still further, the thawing of frozen food products in ambient air leads to the production of condensation within the boxes of the food products.

This will produce a wet or soggy box with a wet food product that is not suitable for delivery to a customer.

The pushing of the air unto the pallets of food products will lead to the thawing of the food on the pallet that is located immediately adjacent to the air handler.

It is difficult to determine when the various pallets of food products are properly thawed.

Uneven thawing will lead to the need to use a longer time to thaw the food products.

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