Tumble chiller

Abstract

A system such as a tumble chiller for cooling and / or heating articles such as packaged food comprises a reservoir 20 configured to contain a cooling / heating liquid 22, and a belt conveyor system 30. T

Description

The present invention relates generally to a system for cooling and / or heating articles such as bagged food products, and in particular to a tumble chiller. The so-called “cook-chill” process is commonly used in industrial food preparation. In this process, cooked food products are packed in plastic bags immediately after being cooked. The bags are then cooled from a temperature of around 90°C to around 4°C, typically using a tumble chiller. Rapid cooling within a tumble chiller retards bacterial regrowth, and can significantly extend the lifetime of the cooked food product. Known tumble chillers include a rotatable drum which is partially immersed in a cooling liquid. Bags of food product are placed inside the drum, and are tumbled within the cooling liquid by rotation of the drum. Figures 1A and 1B illustrate one such known tumble chiller design. Bags can be loaded into the rotatable drum inside the chiller via a chute 1. Once cooled, bags may be removed from the rotatable drum by an operator opening a door 2 of the chiller, reaching inside the rotatable drum, and manually unloading each bag from the rotatable drum. Manual removal of bags from the tumble chiller can be difficult and time consuming, especially where e.g. each bag is relatively heavy and / or where a large number of bags must be removed from the chiller, as is commonly the case in industrial food preparation. There remains scope for improvements to tumble chillers. According to an aspect, there is provided a system (such as a chiller) for cooling and / or heating one or more articles, the system comprising: a reservoir configured to contain a (e.g. cooling and / or heating) liquid; and a belt conveyor system comprising a conveyor belt driven by sprockets, the sprockets comprising a first set of one or more sprockets and a second set of one or more sprockets; wherein a vertical position of each of the first set of one or more sprockets and the second set of one or more sprockets is fixed, the second set of one or more sprockets being vertically higher than the first set of one or more sprockets; vherein the belt conveyor system is configured such that an upper part of the conveyor belt has a curved form in a first mode of operation to cause one or more articles to be moved within the reservoir; and wherein the belt conveyor system is configured such that the upper part of the conveyor belt is taut and inclined in a second mode of operation to cause one or more articles to be removed from the reservoir. The belt conveyor system can be configured in a mode of operation to cause one or more articles to be moved (i.e. tumbled) within the (e.g. cooling and / or heating) liquid contained within a reservoir of a cooling and / or heating system such as a tumble chiller (i.e. in a manner similar to that of a conventional rotating drum). Furthermore, the belt conveyor system can also be used in another mode of operation to cause one or more articles to be removed from the reservoir. Thus, in accordance with various embodiments, a cooling and / or heating system such as a tumble chiller includes a belt conveyor system that is configured to perform the dual function of both moving (tumbling) articles (such as bagged food products) within the (cooling and / or heating liquid of the) reservoir, and removing articles from the cooling and / or heating system (e.g. chiller). The cooling and / or heating system (e.g. tumble chiller) of various embodiments accordingly allows articles to be removed from the cooling and / or heating system (e.g. chiller) in a more straightforward manner. The cooling and / or heating system (e.g. tumble chiller) of various embodiments also allows articles to be removed from the cooling and / or heating system (e.g. chiller) automatically, i.e. without oversight of an operator. Furthermore, the cooling and / or heating system (e.g. tumble chiller) of various embodiments allows articles to be removed from the cooling and / or heating system (e.g. chiller) without firstly having to remove (e.g. drain) liquid from the reservoir, which would conventionally be removed (e.g. drained), e.g. to prevent an operator coming into contact with the cold (or hot) liquid. The cooling and / or heating system of various embodiments can accordingly reduce energy and water use. Furthermore, by having fixed sprockets, the driving mechanism for the sprockets can be made mechanically simpler, which may result in a cheaper and / or more reliable system. It will be appreciated, therefore, that various embodiments provide an improved cooling and / or heating system, in particular an improved chiller. The belt conveyor system may be configured in the first mode of operation to cause one or more articles to be tumbled within the reservoir. The belt conveyor system may be configured in the first mode of operation to cause one or more articles to be rocked within the reservoir. The belt conveyor system may be configured in the second mode of operation to cause one or more articles to be removed from the cooling and / or heating system (e.g. from the chiller). In order to transition between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation, the system may be configured to lock one of the first set of one or more sprockets and the second set of one or more sprockets against rotation, and drive the other of the first set of one or more sprockets and the second set of one or more sprockets to remove or restore a catenary sag of the upper part of the conveyor belt. Additionally, or alternatively, in order to transition between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation, the system may be configured to drive the first set of one or more sprockets and the second set of one or more sprockets at different speeds and / or in different directions and / or for different periods of time in order to remove or restore a catenary sag of the upper part of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt may comprise one or more fins. The conveyor belt may comprises a smooth portion that does not comprise fins. The smooth portion may have a length at least equal to a distance between the first set of one or more sprockets and the second set of one or more sprockets. They belt conveyor system may be configured to position the smooth portion of the conveyor belt as the upper portion of the conveyor belt in the second mode of operation. The conveyor belt may comprise a mesh conveyor belt. The liquid may be a cooling liquid. The liquid may be a heating liquid. The system may be a tumble chiller. According to an aspect, there is provided a method of cooling and / or heating one or more articles, the method comprising: iriving a conveyor belt using one or both of a first set of one or more sprockets and a second set of one or more sprockets to move one or more articles within a reservoir containing a (cooling and / or heating) liquid; and driving the first set of one or more sprockets and the second set of one or more sprockets to cause the conveyor belt to become taut and inclined to remove the one or more articles from the reservoir, wherein a vertical position of each of the first set of one or more sprockets and the second set of one or more sprockets is fixed, the second set of one or more sprockets being vertically higher than the first set of one or more sprockets. The method of may comprise using the conveyor belt to tumble the one or more articles within the reservoir. The method of may comprise using the conveyor belt to rock the one or more articles within the reservoir. The method of may comprise using the conveyor belt to remove the one or more articles from the cooling and / or heating system (e.g. chiller). The method may comprise causing an upper part of the conveyor belt to have a curved form when using the conveyor belt to move the one or more articles within the reservoir. The method may comprise using the conveyor belt to remove the one or more articles from the reservoir by causing the conveyor belt to become taut and inclined. The method may comprise: locking one of the first set of one or more sprockets and the second set of one or more sprockets against rotation; and driving the other of the first set of one or more sprockets and the second set of one or more sprockets to remove or restore a catenary sag of the upper part of the conveyor belt. The method may comprise driving the first set of one or more sprockets and the second set of one or more sprockets at different speeds and / or in different directions and / or for different periods of time in order to remove or restore a catenary sag of the upper part of the conveyor belt. Various embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1A shows schematically a side view of a conventional tumble chiller, and Figure 1B shows schematically a front view of a conventional tumble chiller; zigure 2A shows schematically a perspective view of a tumble chiller when configured in a chilling mode of operation in accordance with various embodiments, and Figure 2B shows schematically a cross-sectional view of a tumble chiller when configured in the chilling mode of operation in accordance with various embodiments; Figure 3A shows schematically a cross-sectional view of a tumble chiller when configured in an article removing mode of operation in accordance with various embodiments; and Figure 3B shows schematically a perspective view of a tumble chiller in the article removing mode of operation in accordance with various embodiments, and Figure 3C shows schematically a perspective view of a tumble chiller in the article removing mode of operation in accordance with various embodiments. Embodiments relate to a chiller, such as a tumble chiller. The chiller is configured to cool one or more articles, such as one or more bagged food products. The chiller may be configured to cool a plurality of articles such as a plurality of bagged food products. Each bag may be a plastic bag, and may contain cooked (or uncooked) food product. Each bag may have any desired weight such as between around 1 and 10 kg. The chiller may be configured to cool each bag from a relatively high temperature (e.g. >around 80°C such as around 90°C) to a relatively low temperature (e.g. <around 5°C such as around 4°C). Such rapid cooling retards bacterial regrowth, and can significantly extend the lifetime of the cooked food product. Figures 1A and 1B illustrate a known tumble chiller design. The known tumble chiller includes a rotatable drum which is partially immersed in a cooling liquid (not shown). Bags of food product are placed inside the drum, and are tumbled within the cooling liquid by rotation of the drum. Bags can be loaded into the rotatable drum inside the chiller via a chute 1. Once cooled, bags may be removed from the rotatable drum by an operator opening a door 2 of the chiller, reaching inside the rotatable drum, and manually unloading each bag from the rotatable drum. Manual removal of bags from the tumble chiller can be difficult and time consuming, especially where each bag is relatively heavy and / or where a large number of bags must be removed from the chiller, as is commonly the case in industrial food preparation. n accordance with various embodiments, a tumble chiller is provided that comprises a belt conveyor system, i.e. instead of a conventional rotatable drum. The belt conveyor system is configured in a first mode of operation to cause one or more articles to be moved (i.e. tumbled) within the reservoir. Furthermore, the belt conveyor system can also be configured to cause the one or more articles to be removed from the reservoir. Thus, the chiller includes a belt conveyor system that is configured to perform the dual function of both tumbling articles within the reservoir, and removing articles from the reservoir. The tumble chiller of various embodiments accordingly allows articles to be removed from the chiller in a more straightforward manner. The tumble chiller of various embodiments also allows articles to be removed from the chiller automatically, i.e. without oversight of an operator. Figures 2A and 2B show a tumble chiller in accordance with various embodiments. As illustrated in Figures 2A and 2B, the tumble chiller may in general comprise a housing 10, and a reservoir 20 arranged within the housing. The housing 10 may have at least one opening 12, which may be configured to allow access to and from the reservoir 20. Articles such as bagged food products may be loaded into the reservoir 20 and removed from the reservoir through the at least one opening 12 in the housing 10. As shown in Figure 2A, the at least one opening 12 may comprise an opening on a front surface of the housing 10 and / or an opening on a top surface of the housing 10. However, the at least one opening 12 could comprise one or more other openings, e.g. in another surface of the housing 10. The chiller may optionally comprise one or more removable covers (not shown) such as one or more doors, etc., configured to cover one or more or each opening 12. The reservoir 20 is configured to contain a cooling liquid 22. Thus, in embodiments, the chiller comprises a cooling liquid 22 within the reservoir 20. The reservoir 20 may have any suitable configuration. For example, as shown in Figure 2B, the reservoir 20 may comprise a trough arranged within the housing 10. The reservoir 20 may be a “closed” reservoir, i.e. in which a same quantity of cooling liquid 22 is retained within the reservoir 20. Alternatively, the reservoir 20 configured such that a flow of cooling liquid 22 may be provided to (and removed from) the reservoir 20. The cooling liquid 22 may comprises any suitable liquid such as for example water. The cooling liquid 22 may be cooled to a relatively low temperature, such as <5°C, e.g. around 4°C. The cooling liquid 22 may be cooled in any suitable manner, e.g. using a refrigeration system. As described above, the chiller comprises a belt conveyor system. The belt conveyor system may comprise a conveyor belt 30. Thus, in embodiments, the chiller comprises a (single) conveyor belt 30, where the (single) conveyor belt 30 is configured in the first mode of operation to cause one or more articles to be moved (tumbled) within the reservoir 20, and is configured in the second mode of operation to cause one or more articles to be removed from the reservoir 20. As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the belt conveyor system and / or the conveyor belt 30 may have a direction of travel generally in a first (x) direction. The belt conveyor system may be configured such that the width of the conveyor belt 30 extends along a second (y) direction. A third (z) direction may generally be an upward direction (when the chiller is in use). Each of the first (x), second (y) and third (z) directions may be orthogonal to one another. The belt conveyor system may comprise any suitable conveyor belt 30 such as an endless loop conveyor belt. In various embodiments, the conveyor belt 30 comprises an open mesh belt. This allows cooling liquid 22 to pass through openings in the mesh. The conveyor belt 30 may be formed from any suitable material such as a plastic material. Plastics are generally durable even when continuously exposed to liquid. The conveyor belt 30 may comprise one or more fins 32, such as a plurality of fins 32. Each fin 32 may be configured to protrude from the conveyor belt 30, for example in a direction orthogonal to a plane of the conveyor belt 30. Each fin 32 may extend across most or all of the width of the conveyor belt 30. The one or more fins 32 can assist with movement (tumbling) of the one or more articles in the first mode of operation, and with removal of the articles from the chiller in the second mode of operation. The conveyor belt 30 may comprise a smooth portion 33 that does not comprise fins, which may allow articles to slide down the conveyor belt 30 when removing the articles from the chiller in the second mode of operation.. The conveyor belt 30 may be connected to and retained by a plurality of sprockets of the belt conveyor system. The conveyor belt 30 may be arranged to run around the plurality of sprockets. Each sprocket may be configured to mesh with the conveyor belt 30. The use of sprockets to retain the conveyor belt 30 allows the conveyor belt to be accurately controlled between the first and second modes of operation (and prevents the belt 30 slipping). In various embodiments, the conveyor belt 30 is retained by (and the plurality of sprockets comprises) a first set of one or more sprockets 34 and a second set of one or more sprockets 36. As shown in Figure 2B, the first set of one or more sprockets 34 may be arranged at one end of the belt conveyor system and the second set of one or more sprockets 36 may be arranged at the other end of the belt conveyor system (in the first (x) direction). Each of the sets of sprockets 34, 36 may be independently driven in order to drive the conveyor belt 30. This allows the conveyor belt 30 to be accurately controlled between the first and second modes of operation. Each driven sprocket may, for example, be driven by a respective motor such as an electric motor through a transmission system. As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the first set of one or more sprockets 34 may be arranged adjacent to an opening 12 in the housing 10, such as adjacent to an opening in a front surface of the housing 10. The first set of one or more sprockets 34 may comprise a single sprocket, but in embodiments comprises two sprockets arranged at either side of the chiller (in the second (y) direction). The first set of one or more sprockets 34 may have a generally fixed position within the housing 10 (except for appropriate rotation). As shown in Figure 2B, each sprocket of the first set of one or more sprockets 34 may be arranged adjacent to and / or partially submerged in the reservoir 20. The second set of one or more sprockets 36 may be spaced apart from the first set of one or more sprockets 34 (in the first (x) direction). The second set of one or more sprockets 36 may be arranged generally behind the first set of one or more sprockets 34, i.e. away from an opening 12 in the housing 10, such as away from the opening in the front surface of the housing 10. The second set of one or more sprockets 36 may comprise a single sprocket, but in embodiments comprises two sprockets arranged at either side of the chiller (in the second (y) direction). The second set of one or more sprockets 36 may have a generally fixed position within the housing 10 (except for appropriate rotation). As will be described in more detail below, in various particular embodiments, the position of the second set of one or more sprockets 36 within the housing is vertically higher (in the third (z) direction) than the position of the first set of one or more sprockets 34. Figures 2A and 2B show the chiller when configured for operation in the first mode of operation. In this first mode of operation, the conveyor belt 30 is configured in to cause one or more articles to be moved (tumbled) within the reservoir 20, i.e. to cause one or more articles to be moved (tumbled) within the cooling liquid 22 within the reservoir 20. In this mode of operation, the belt conveyor system may be configured such that catenary sag of (an upper part of) the conveyor belt 30 (between the first set of one or more sprockets 34 and the second set of one or more sprockets 36) causes the (upper part of the) conveyor belt 30 to adopt a form having a curved cross section, such as an approximately U-shaped cross-section. The lower (return) part of the conveyor belt 30 may pass outside of and under the reservoir 20. The belt conveyor system may also be configured in this mode of operation such that catenary sag of a lower (return) part of the conveyor belt 30 (between the first set of one or more sprockets 34 and the second set of one or more sprockets 36) causes the lower (return) part of the conveyor belt 30 to adopt a form having a curved cross section, such as an approximately U-shaped cross-section, that is appropriately spaced from both the walls and floor of the reservoir 20. In alternative embodiments, not shown, the lower (return) part of the conveyor belt 30 may pass within the reservoir 20, and below the upper part of the conveyor belt 30. Articles to be chilled, such as bagged food products, can be retained (in the first (x) direction) within the curved (U-shaped) region of the (upper part of the) conveyor belt 30. The articles may be retained in the second (y) direction within the curved (U-shaped) region of the (upper part of the) conveyor belt 30 by walls of the reservoir 20. As shown in Figure 2B, the curved (U-shaped) region of the (upper part of the) conveyor belt 30 may extend into the reservoir 20 (and into the cooling liquid 22 contained within the reservoir 20). Thus, by depositing articles within the curved ed) region of the (upper part of the) conveyor belt 30, the articles will be submerged within the cooling liquid 22. In the first mode of operation, the conveyor belt 30 may be driven, e.g. by driving one or both of the first set of one or more sprockets 34 and the second set of one or more sprockets 36 (e.g. at the same speed, if both are driven). Interaction of the conveyor belt 30 and / or the one or more fins 32 with articles contained within the curved (U-shaped) region of the (upper part of the) conveyor belt 30 will cause the one or more articles to be tumbled, i.e. in a similar manner to a conventional rotating drum. This tumbling motion of the articles in the cooling liquid 22 in turn causes rapid cooling of the articles. In the first mode of operation, the conveyor belt 30 may be driven exclusively in one direction. However, in embodiments, the rotation direction of the conveyor belt 30 is reversible. Thus, in the first mode of operation, the conveyor belt 30 may also or instead be alternatingly driven in opposite directions, e.g. so as to rock the one or more articles within the reservoir. This may be useful, e.g. where the one or more articles are relatively fragile and / or delicate. Figures 3A, 3B and 3C show the chiller when configured for operation in the second mode of operation. The conveyor belt 30 is configured in the second mode of operation to cause one or more articles to be removed from the reservoir 20. The conveyor belt 30 may be further configured in the second mode of operation to cause one or more articles to be removed from the chiller. As shown in Figure 3A, in this mode of operation, the catenary sag of (the upper part of) the conveyor belt 30 (between the first set of one or more sprockets 34 and the second set of one or more sprockets 36) is removed, e.g. such that (the upper part of) the conveyor belt 30 is taut (tensioned) between the first set of one or more sprockets 34 and the second set of one or more sprockets 36. The (upper part of the) conveyor belt 30 may accordingly adopt an inclined form. The lower (return) part of the conveyor belt 30 may be accumulated within the housing 10 of the cooler, e.g. below the reservoir 20. In order to transition from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation, the first set of one or more sprockets 34 and the second set of one or more sprockets 36 may be driven independently, so as to remove the catenary sag of (the upper part of) the conveyor belt 30 (between the first set of one or more sprockets 34 and the second set of one or more sprockets 36). n one example, one of the first set of one or more sprockets 34 and the second set of one or more sprockets 36 may be locked against rotation, and the other of the first set of one or more sprockets 34 and the second set of one or more sprockets 36 may be driven to remove the catenary sag of (the upper part of) the conveyor belt 30. Alternatively, or additionally, the first set of one or more sprockets 34 and the second set of one or more sprockets 36 may be driven at different speeds and / or in different directions and / or for different periods of time to remove the catenary sag of (the upper part of) the conveyor belt 30. As shown in Figure 3A, in the second mode of operation, the so-formed inclined region of the (upper part of the) conveyor belt 30 may be external to the reservoir 20 (and so external to the cooling liquid 22 contained within the reservoir 20). Thus, by raising the upper part of the conveyor belt 30, articles contained within the curved (U-shaped) region of the conveyor belt 30 can be removed from the reservoir 20 (and from the cooling liquid 22 contained within the reservoir 20). In other words, articles within the curved (U-shaped) region of the (upper part of the) conveyor belt 30 are lifted out of the reservoir 20 by the conveyor belt 30. Optionally, in the second mode of operation, the smooth portion 33 of the conveyor belt 30 (that does not comprise fins) may be aligned between the first set of one or more sprockets 34 and the second set of one or more sprockets 36. That is, the smooth portion 33 of the conveyor belt 30 may form the inclined region of the upper portion of the conveyor belt 30. Thus, the articles removed from the reservoir 20 may slide down the conveyor belt 30, such that they are removed from the chiller via an opening 12 in the housing 10. Optionally, the conveyor belt 30 may be driven in the second mode of operation, e.g. by driving both of the first set of one or more sprockets 34 and the second set of one or more sprockets 36 at the same speed. Interaction of the conveyor belt 30 and / or the one or more fins 32 with articles on the inclined region of the conveyor belt 30 may cause the one or more articles to be removed from the chiller, i.e. via an opening 12 in the housing 10, such as the opening in the front surface of the housing 10. Articles removed from the chiller via the opening 12 may be received, e.g. by a movable carrier such as a tote bin placed in front of the chiller (not shown). In the second mode of operation, optionally where necessary, the first set of one or more sprockets 34 may be driven independently from the second set of one sprockets 36 (e.g. at a different speed and / or for different time periods) in order to ensure that the upper part of the conveyor belt 30 that extends between the first set of one or more sprockets 34 and the second set of one or more sprockets 36 remains appropriately taut. Once articles have been removed in the above manner, the chiller may be returned to its first mode of operation, e.g. by driving the first set of one or more sprockets 34 independently from the second set of one or more sprockets 36 (e.g. at a different speed and / or in different directions and / or for different time periods) in order to ensure that the upper part of the conveyor belt 30 that extends between the first set of one or more sprockets 34 and the second set of one or more sprockets 36 adopts the desired curved (U-shaped) form. It would also be possible to use the belt conveyor system to load articles into the reservoir 20, e.g. by loading articles onto the conveyor belt 30 when the upper part of the conveyor belt 30 is removed from the reservoir 20, and then using the conveyor belt 30 to lower the articles into the reservoir 20. Figures 3B and 3C show schematically detail of a mechanism by which the first set of one or more sprockets 34 and the second set of one or more sprockets 36 can be driven. As can be seen in Figure 3B, one sprocket of the first set of one or more sprockets 34 may be driven by a motor such as an electric motor through a transmission system. As shown in Figure 3C, the other sprocket of the first set of one or more sprockets 34 (on the other side of the chiller in the second (y) direction) may not be driven (i.e. may be an idler). Similarly, one sprocket of the second set of one or more sprockets 36 may be (independently) driven by an independent motor such as an electric motor through an independent transmission system. The other sprocket of the second set of one or more sprockets 36 (on the other side of the chiller in the second (y) direction) may not be driven (i.e. may be an idler). Other arrangements would be possible. It will be appreciated that the tumble chiller of various embodiments allows articles both to be tumble chilled, and to be removed from the chiller in a straightforward manner. In particular, an operator need not manually reach inside the chiller to remove the articles. The tumble chiller of various embodiments also allows articles to be removed from the chiller automatically, i.e. without oversight of an operator. For 3, the chiller may be controlled, e.g. by a computer control system, so as to tumble one or more articles for a selected time period, and to then cause the articles to be removed from the chiller at the end of the selected time period. This allows precise control over the chilling time, and means that an operator need not be physically present in order to unload the chiller. Furthermore, the tumble chiller of various embodiments allows articles to be removed from the chiller without firstly having to remove (e.g. drain) the liquid 22 from the reservoir 20, which would conventionally be removed (e.g. drained) so as to prevent an operator coming into contact with the cooling liquid 22. The tumble chiller of various embodiments can accordingly reduce energy and water use. Although various embodiments have been described above in terms of a tumble chiller in which one or more articles are chilled within a cooling liquid 22 retained in a reservoir 20, it would also be possible for the chiller to have a heating mode of operation, or for the system to be exclusively configured as a heater. Such a mode of operation and / or such a heater may be used, for example, to heat (e.g. reheat) one or more articles, such as one or more bagged food products, and / or to cook food contained within one or more bags (e.g. in a “sous vide” mode of operation). Thus, further embodiments relate to a tumble chiller having a heating mode of operation and / or to a heater such as a tumble heater, that may be configured to heat one or more articles, such as one or more bagged food products. These embodiments may be substantially similar to the chiller embodiments described above, and may include any one or more or each of the features as described above, e.g. modified as appropriate so that the cooling liquid 22 is replaced with a heating liquid. Thus, for example, in these embodiments, the system may be configured to heat each bag to any suitable temperature, the heating liquid may be heated to any suitable temperature (e.g. <100 °C), and the heating liquid may be heated in any suitable manner e.g. using a heating system. Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A system for cooling and / or heating one or more articles, the system comprising:5 a reservoir configured to contain a liquid; anda belt conveyor system comprising a conveyor belt driven by sprockets, the sprockets comprising a first set of one or more sprockets and a second set of one or more sprockets;wherein a vertical position of each of the first set of one or more sprockets10 and the second set of one or more sprockets is fixed, the second set of one or more sprockets being vertically higher than the first set of one or more sprockets;wherein the belt conveyor system is configured such that an upper part of the conveyor belt has a curved form in a first mode of operation to cause one or more articles to be moved within the reservoir;15 wherein the belt conveyor system is configured such that the upper part ofthe conveyor belt is taut and inclined in a second mode of operation to cause one or more articles to be removed from the reservoir; andwherein, in order to transition between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation, the system is configured to:20 a) lock one of the first set of one or more sprockets and the second setof one or more sprockets against rotation, and drive the other of the first set of one or more sprockets and the second set of one or more sprockets to remove or restore a catenary sag of the upper part of the conveyor belt; orb) drive the first set of one or more sprockets and the second set of one25 or more sprockets at different speeds and / or in different directions and / or for different periods of time in order to remove or restore a catenary sag of the upper part of the conveyor belt.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the belt conveyor system is configured in the 30 first mode of operation to cause one or more articles to be tumbled and / or rockedwithin the reservoir.

3. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the belt conveyor system is configured in the second mode of operation to cause one or more articles to be removed from35 the cooling and / or heating system.20 02 254. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor belt comprises one or more fins.5 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the conveyor belt comprises a smoothportion that does not comprise fins, the smooth portion having a length at least equal to a distance between the first set of one or more sprockets and the second set of one or more sprockets.10 6. The system of claim 4 or 5, wherein the conveyor belt comprises a meshconveyor belt.

7. A method of cooling and / or heating one or more articles, the method comprising:15 driving a conveyor belt using one or both of a first set of one or moresprockets and a second set of one or more sprockets to move one or more articles within a reservoir containing a cooling and / or heating liquid; and thenlocking one of the first set of one or more sprockets and the second set of one or more sprockets against rotation; and20 driving the other of the first set of one or more sprockets and the second setof one or more sprockets to remove a catenary sag of an upper part of the conveyor belt to cause the conveyor belt to become taut and inclined to remove the one or more articles from the reservoir,wherein a vertical position of each of the first set of one or more sprockets25 and the second set of one or more sprockets is fixed, the second set of one or more sprockets being vertically higher than the first set of one or more sprockets.

8. The method of claim 7, comprising using the conveyor belt to tumble and / or rock the one or more articles within the reservoir.

309. The method of claim 7 or 8, wherein the conveyor belt forms part of a cooling and / or heating system, and wherein the method further comprises using the conveyor belt to remove the one or more articles from the cooling and / or heating system.3520 02 2510. The method of any one of claims 7 to 9, comprising: causing the upper part of the conveyor belt to have a curved form when using the conveyor belt to move the one or more articles within the reservoir.

511. A method of cooling and / or heating one or more articles, the method comprising:driving a conveyor belt using one or both of a first set of one or more sprockets and a second set of one or more sprockets to move one or more articles10 within a reservoir containing a cooling and / or heating liquid; and thendriving the first set of one or more sprockets and the second set of one or more sprockets at different speeds and / or in different directions and / or for different periods of time in order to remove a catenary sag of an upper part of the conveyor belt to cause the conveyor belt to become taut and inclined to remove the one or15 more articles from the reservoir,wherein a vertical position of each of the first set of one or more sprockets and the second set of one or more sprockets is fixed, the second set of one or more sprockets being vertically higher than the first set of one or more sprockets.20 12. The method of claim 11, comprising using the conveyor belt to tumbleand / or rock the one or more articles within the reservoir.

13. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the conveyor belt forms part of a cooling and / or heating system, and wherein the method further comprises using the25 conveyor belt to remove the one or more articles from the cooling and / or heating system.

14. The method of any one of claims 11 to 13, comprising: causing the upper part of the conveyor belt to have a curved form when30 using the conveyor belt to move the one or more articles within the reservoir.

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