Multi-layer in-line dipping treatment system

Abstract

The automatic immersion cooling system may comprise shackles and a truck. The shackles may be configured to be cooperatively attached to the product to be cooled. The truck may be configured to move the shackles along a processing line, which may comprise one or more curved conduits holding a reservoir of a cooling medium. The shackles may be configured to move the product within the reservoir to stir the cooling medium. The shackles may be rotatable shackles, and the rotatable shackles may be configured to move the product within the reservoir and stir the cooling medium by rotating the shackles within the reservoir of the cooling medium. The shackles may further be configured to move the product within the reservoir and stir the cooling medium by vibrating the shackles within the reservoir.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - Reference to Related Applications) This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 337,356, filed May 2, 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein below.

[0002] (Technical Field) Various embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to multi - layer processing systems and methods, and more particularly to in - line immersion cooling processing systems and methods for meat products.

Background Art

[0003] In meat processing plants and facilities, it is highly desirable to limit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms and microorganisms that deteriorate food during the processing of meat products. For example, in poultry processing plants and facilities, poultry carcasses are cooled to suppress the growth of both pathogenic microorganisms and microorganisms that deteriorate food. Conventional methods for cooling poultry carcasses include water cooling and air cooling. Water cooling, also called immersion cooling, involves completely immersing the carcass in one or more water tanks to lower the temperature and reduce the risk of pathogens. However, in conventional immersion cooling, since the poultry carcass needs to be suspended again on a shackle, various problems occur during the processing of poultry. In air cooling, the poultry carcass fixed to a shackle is passed through a cooler where air rapidly flows to lower the temperature. However, air cooling has lower thermal efficiency than water cooling.

[0004] Therefore, there is still a need for a system that can achieve more uniform heat transfer during the cooling process, limit the presence of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms on meat products, and improve energy efficiency by reducing the installation area within a meat processing facility. Thus, an in - line immersion cooling system and method for meat products during the processing steps in a meat processing plant or facility can address the above - mentioned problems.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide an automatic immersion cooling system, which may include shackles and tracks. The shackles may be configured to be cooperatively attached to products to be cooled. The tracks may be configured to move the shackles along a processing line, which may include one or more conduits holding a reservoir of a cooling medium. The shackles may be configured to move the products within the reservoir to stir the cooling medium.

[0006] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the one or more conduits may be curved.

[0007] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the shackle may be a rotating shackle, which may be configured to move the products within the reservoir to stir the cooling medium by rotating the shackle within the reservoir of the cooling medium.

[0008] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the rotating shackle may include a rotor, which may be connected to the rotating shackle and configured to cause the rotating shackle to perform a rotational movement.

[0009] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the rotating shackle may be configured to rotate the products within the reservoir via the rotor to stir the cooling medium in a clockwise direction, a counterclockwise direction, or a combination thereof.

[0010] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the shackle may further be configured to move the products within the reservoir to stir the cooling medium by vibrating the shackle within the reservoir.

[0011] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the processing line may include one or more grooves configured to guide the shackle along the processing line to one or more conduits. The one or more grooves may be connected in series.

[0012] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the processing line may comprise a plurality of layers, which may comprise a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The first layer may comprise one or more conduits capable of holding a reservoir of the cooling medium. The second layer may comprise one or more conduits capable of holding a reservoir of the chemical medium. The third layer may comprise one or more conduits capable of holding a reservoir of the disinfection medium. Each of the plurality of layers may comprise one or more grooves connected in series, which may be configured to guide the shackle along the processing line to the one or more conduits.

[0013] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, each of the one or more curved conduits in each of the plurality of layers may be curved.

[0014] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, each of the plurality of layers may be arranged in a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, or a combination thereof.

[0015] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the system may further comprise a trolley connected to the track and configured to perform a parallel movement while the shackle moves along the processing line.

[0016] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the product supported by the rotary shackle may be household goods.

[0017] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the cooling medium held in the reservoir may be an ice slurry, cold water, or a combination thereof.

[0018] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the cooling medium retained in the reservoir may include a disinfectant configured to disinfect the product on the shackle.

[0019] Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for automatic immersion cooling of a product, the method including fixing the product to a shackle system on a track, translating the product fixed to the shackle system along the track within a processing line, immersing the product fixed to the shackle system in a reservoir of a cooling medium within the processing line, and stirring the cooling medium.

[0020] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, translating the product fixed to the shackle system may include moving the product via a trolley, which may be coupled to the track. The trolley may be configured to move in a parallel motion along the track, thereby moving the shackle system along the track.

[0021] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, stirring the cooling medium may include rotating the product on a rotating shackle within the reservoir of the cooling medium in a clockwise direction, a counterclockwise direction, or a combination thereof.

[0022] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the shackle system may comprise the rotating shackle, and the rotating shackle may comprise a rotor.

[0023] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the rotor may be configured to rotate the rotating shackle.

[0024] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, stirring the cooling medium may include vibrating the product on the shackle within the reservoir of the cooling medium, and the shackle system may comprise the shackle.

[0025] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the processing line may comprise one or more grooves configured to guide the product on the shackle system through the processing line. The processing line may comprise one or more conduits configured to hold a reservoir of the cooling medium.

[0026] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the processing line may comprise a plurality of layers, which may include a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The first layer may comprise one or more conduits capable of holding a reservoir of the cooling medium. The second layer may comprise one or more conduits capable of holding a reservoir of a chemical medium. The third layer may comprise one or more conduits capable of holding a reservoir of a disinfection medium. Each of the plurality of layers may be connectable in series and may have one or more grooves configured to guide the shackle along the processing line to the one or more conduits. Each of the plurality of layers may be arranged in a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, or a combination thereof.

[0027] These and other aspects of the present disclosure are described in the following "Detailed Description of the Invention" and the accompanying drawings. Other aspects and features of the embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art by considering the following description of the embodiments as specific examples in conjunction with the drawings. The features of the present disclosure may be described in connection with specific embodiments and drawings, but all embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more of the features described herein. Further, although one or more embodiments may be described as having certain advantageous features, one or more of such features may also be used in conjunction with the various embodiments described herein. Similarly, although exemplary embodiments may be described below as embodiments of a device, system, or method, it should be understood that such exemplary embodiments may be implemented in various devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] The above and other aspects of the present invention will be further discussed with reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like numbers in each figure indicate like structural elements and features. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and emphasis is placed on showing the principles of the invention. The figures show one or more examples of the apparatus of the present invention, but are shown by way of illustration only and not limitation.

[0029]

Figure 1A

Figure 1B

[0030]

Figure 2

[0031]

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

[0032]

Figure 4

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings, in which like elements in different drawings are numbered the same. This description explains some embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and usage examples of the present invention, including what is currently considered to be the best mode for carrying out the present invention, which enables those skilled in the art to manufacture and use the present invention. Any one or more of the teachings, expressions, versions, examples, etc. described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions, versions, examples, etc. described herein. Therefore, the teachings, expressions, versions, examples, etc. described below should not be considered in isolation from each other. Various suitable ways of combining the teachings of this specification will be readily apparent to those skilled in the relevant art considering the teachings of this specification. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

[0034] It should also be noted that the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" as used in this specification and the appended claims include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, a reference to a component is intended to include a composition of multiple components. A reference to a composition containing "a" component is intended to include other components in addition to the named component.

[0035] Also, when describing exemplary embodiments, technical terms are used for clarity. Each term is assumed to have the broadest meaning understood by those skilled in the art and is intended to include all technical equivalents that act in a similar manner to achieve a similar purpose.

[0036] "Comprises", "contains", or "includes" means that at least the named compound, element, particle, or method step is inherent in the composition, article, or method, but does not exclude the presence of other compounds, materials, particles, method steps that have the same function as the named ones.

[0037] It should also be understood that a reference to one or more method steps does not exclude the presence of additional or intervening method steps between the explicitly specified steps. Similarly, a reference to one or more components in a composition does not exclude the presence of additional components other than the explicitly specified ones.

[0038] The materials described as constituting various elements of the present invention are for illustrative purposes and not limiting. Many suitable materials that perform the same or similar functions as the materials described herein are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Other materials not described herein may include, for example, but are not limited to, materials developed after the time of development of the present invention.

[0039] Figures 1A and 1B show explanatory views of the first and second appearances of the multi-layer series immersion cooling system 100. As shown in Figure 1B, the multi-layer series immersion cooling system 100 may include a plurality of layers 110, 120, 130. In some embodiments, the system 100 may include a first layer 110, a second layer 120, and a third layer 130. As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, each layer may be arranged vertically, which may be advantageous for reducing the installation area of the system 100 in a meat processing factory or facility. In addition to being arranged vertically, each layer of the system 100 may be arranged horizontally, or may be a combination including both horizontal and vertical arrangements. As shown in Figure 1B, each layer of the system may be supported by one or more truss structures 106. As can be understood by those skilled in the art, the material composition of the one or more truss structures 106 may include, but is not limited to, aluminum, stainless steel alloys, etc.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1A, each layer of the multi-layer series immersion cooling system 100 may include a processing line 103. The processing line 103 may include one or more conduits 104 and may also include one or more grooves 102. As shown in Figure 1A, the one or more grooves may be connected in series and may be configured to guide the product 114 on the processing line 103 to the one or more conduits 104. In some embodiments, the product 114 passing through the processing line 103 may be a livestock carcass. As shown in Figure 1A, the one or more conduits 104 may be shaped like a "U" and may be configured to hold a reservoir of the cooling medium 116. In some embodiments, the one or more conduits may be curved conduits. It should be understood that the one or more conduits may be shaped or extruded to resemble various shape factors, shapes, or configurations. The cooling medium 116 may be any cooling medium known in the art, including but not limited to ice slurry, cold water, a combination of both ice slurry and cold water, etc. In some embodiments, the reservoir of the cooling medium 116 may include a disinfectant configured to disinfect the product 114.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1A, each layer in the plurality of layers of the system 100 may include one or more conduits 104 that may be configured to hold a reservoir of the cooling medium 116. As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, meat products in a meat processing plant and facility may be processed using various media throughout the processing of the meat products. For example, in the processing of poultry, a poultry carcass may be processed with various media as it passes through the processing line 103, including, but not limited to, the cooling medium 116, chemical media, sanitizing media, and the like. With respect to the present disclosure, the multi-layer series immersion cooling system 100 can be configured such that each layer is an individual processing zone, and as shown in FIG. 1A, the product 114 passing through the processing line 103 can be processed with different media within one or more conduits 104 of each layer. It should be understood that each of the one or more conduits in each of the plurality of layers may be curved.

[0042] In some embodiments, the first layer 110 may include one or more curved conduits 104 configured to hold a reservoir of a cooling medium 116, and the cooling medium 116 may be cold water, ice slurry, or a combination thereof. When the product 114 finishes passing through the first layer 110, the product may move to the second layer 120. In some embodiments, the second layer 120 may include one or more curved conduits 104 configured to hold a reservoir of a chemical medium, and the chemical medium may be an antibacterial agent capable of removing harmful or spoilage microorganisms on the product 114. When the product 114 finishes passing through the second layer 120, the product 114 may move to the third layer 130. The third layer 130 may include one or more curved conduits 104 capable of holding a reservoir of a disinfection medium, and the disinfection medium may be configured to remove harmful or spoilage microorganisms remaining on the product 114 from the second layer 120. One advantage of utilizing multiple treatment zones in each layer of the system 100 is that heat transfer can be improved, for example, when cooling a poultry carcass in the processing of poultry. Further, by processing the poultry carcasses in series, the need to rehang the poultry carcasses can be eliminated / reduced, thereby improving the product yield of poultry processing plants and facilities.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of one of the multiple layers of the multi-layer serial immersion cooling system 100. Also, in some embodiments, the system 100 may include a shackle 108 configured to be cooperatively attached to the product 114 and configured to move the product within the reservoir to agitate the cooling medium 116. The system 100 may also include a track 204 configured to move the shackle along one or more conduits 104 along the processing line 103. The system 100 may also include a trolley 202 connectable to the track 204 and configured to perform parallel movement while the shackle 108 moves along the processing line 103.

[0044] As would be understood by those skilled in the art, agitation can be a movement including, but not limited to, vibration, stirring, rotation, etc. With respect to the present disclosure, a product 114 such as a carcass of poultry cooperatively attached to the shackle 108 can move within the reservoir and agitate the cooling medium 116 by vibration. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, the shackle 108 can be a rotary shackle configured to rotate the product 114 via a rotor 112. The rotor 112 can be connected to the rotary shackle and can be configured to cause the rotary shackle to perform a rotational movement. An example of the rotary shackle disclosed in the present application is also shown in PCT Patent Publication No. WO2022072841, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as fully described below. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the rotary shackle can be configured to rotate the product 114 within the reservoir via the rotor 112 to agitate the cooling medium 116 in a clockwise direction, counterclockwise direction, or a combination thereof.

[0045] Figures 3A and 3B are top and side views of product 114 attached to shackle 108 of multi-layer series immersion cooling system 100 used to stir cooling medium 116. As described above, shackle 108 shown in FIG. 2 may be a rotating shackle or a shackle capable of stirring cooling medium 116 using other types of stirring motion. FIGS. 3A and 3B show the direction of the product moving within multi-layer series immersion cooling system 100 and the rotational movement of the product attached to each shackle 108. As can be understood by those skilled in the art, by rotating product 114 such as a poultry carcass in an optimized motion pattern clockwise, counterclockwise, or a combination thereof, heat transfer can be improved during the cooling of the poultry carcass. Specifically, by using the poultry carcass as a stirrer within cooling medium 116, the cooling efficiency of the poultry carcass can be improved and the temperature can be lowered more rapidly than conventional methods. Furthermore, the optimized rotational motion pattern achieved by using the poultry carcass as a stirrer can reduce the risk of agglomeration occurring on the poultry carcass. For example, assuming that cooling medium 116 is an ice slurry, using an optimized motion pattern clockwise, counterclockwise, or a combination thereof within the ice slurry can minimize the adhesion and agglomeration of the ice slurry to the surface of the poultry carcass.

[0046] Figure 4 is a method flowchart 400 for using the multi-layer series immersion cooling system 100. The first step 410 may include fixing the product 114 to the shackle system on the track 204. The next step 420 may include translating the product 114 fixed to the shackle system along the track 204 within the processing line 103. In some embodiments, translating the product 114 fixed to the shackle system may include moving the product 114 via a trolley 202 configured to move in a parallel motion along the track 204, thereby moving the shackle system along the track 204. As will be appreciated, the trolley 202 may be coupled to the track 204. The next step 430 may include immersing the product 114 fixed to the shackle system in a reservoir of the cooling medium 116 within the processing line 103. In some embodiments, the processing line 103 may include one or more grooves 102 configured to guide the product 114 on the shackle system 108 through the processing line 103. Also, in some embodiments, the processing line 103 may include one or more conduits 104 configured to hold a reservoir of the cooling medium 116. In some embodiments, the one or more conduits 104 may be curved.

[0047] The next method step 440 may include agitating the cooling medium 116. In some embodiments, agitating the cooling medium 116 may include rotating the product 114 on the rotating shackle clockwise, counterclockwise, or a combination thereof within the reservoir of the cooling medium 116. It should be understood that the shackle system may include a rotating shackle. Also, it should be understood that the rotating shackle may include a rotor 112 configured to rotate the rotating shackle and, in turn, the product 114. In some embodiments, agitating the cooling medium 116 may include vibrating the product on the shackle 108 within the reservoir of the cooling medium 116. It should be understood that the shackle system may include the shackle 108.

[0048] It should be understood that the embodiments and claims disclosed in this specification are not limited in their application to the details of the structure and arrangement of the components described in this specification and shown in the drawings. Rather, this specification and the drawings provide examples of the contemplated embodiments. The embodiments and claims disclosed in this specification can further have other embodiments and can be implemented and carried out in various ways. Also, it should be understood that the expressions and terms employed in this specification are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting the claims.

[0049] Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that the concepts underlying this application and the claims can be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out some of the purposes of the embodiments and claims presented in this application. Therefore, it is important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent configurations.

[0050] Furthermore, the purpose of the "Abstract" is to enable the general public, including the United States Patent and Trademark Office and those skilled in the art who are not particularly familiar with patent and legal terms and expressions, to quickly grasp the content and gist of the technical disclosure of this application by just a cursory reading. The "Abstract" does not define the claims of this application and does not limit the claims in any way.

Claims

1. It is configured to be attached collaboratively to the product to be cooled. A shackle configured to move the product in a cooling medium.

2. The shackle according to claim 1, further configured to vibrate the product in the cooling medium.

3. The shackle according to claim 1, further configured to impart both rotational and parallel motion to the product in order to agitate the cooling medium.

4. The shackle according to Claim 1, The system includes a track configured to move the shackle along a processing line, The processing line is a system comprising one or more conduits for holding the cooling medium.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the shackle is further configured to rotate the product clockwise, counterclockwise, or a combination thereof via a rotor.

6. The system according to claim 4, wherein the processing line further comprises one or more grooves configured to guide the shackle along the processing line to one or more guides.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein one or more grooves are connected in series.

8. The aforementioned processing line further, A first layer having one or more curved conduits for holding the cooling medium, A second layer having one or more conduits for holding a chemical medium, The system according to claim 6, further comprising: a third layer having one or more conduits for holding a disinfectant medium.

9. The system according to claim 4, wherein the cooling medium is selected from the group consisting of ice slurry, chilled water, and combinations thereof.

10. The system according to claim 4, wherein the cooling medium comprises a disinfectant configured to disinfect the product on the shackle.

11. The shackle according to claim 3, An automated immersion cooling system comprising a track configured to move the shackle along a processing line.

12. Further comprising a plurality of layers arranged at intervals, The aforementioned multiple layers are, A first layer having one or more conduits for holding the cooling medium, A second layer having one or more conduits for holding a chemical medium, A third layer comprising one or more conduits for holding a disinfectant medium, The system according to claim 11, wherein each of the layers comprises one or more grooves connected in series, configured to guide the shackle along the processing line to one or more conduits.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the layers are arranged vertically, horizontally, or in combination thereof.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the cooling medium is selected from the group consisting of chilled water, ice slurry, and combinations thereof.

15. One or more grooves configured to guide the shackle along the processing line to one or more guides, One or more truss structures configured to support the aforementioned layer, The system according to claim 14, further comprising a trolley connectable to the track, wherein the shackle is configured to move in parallel motion as it moves along the processing line.

16. A shackle configured to be cooperatively attached to a product to be cooled, The system includes a track configured to move the shackle along a processing line, The processing line includes one or more conduits for holding a reservoir of the cooling medium, An automatic immersion cooling system, wherein the shackle is further configured to vibrate within the reservoir, thereby moving the product within the reservoir and agitating the cooling medium.

17. The shackle is a rotary shackle, The system according to claim 16, wherein the rotating shackle is further configured to rotate within the reservoir of the cooling medium.

18. The rotary shackle comprises a rotor connected to the rotary shackle, The system according to claim 17, wherein the rotation includes rotation in a clockwise direction, a counterclockwise direction, or a combination thereof.

19. The system according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the processing line comprises one or more grooves configured to guide the shackle along the processing line to one or more guides.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein one or more grooves are connected in series.

21. The processing line comprises a plurality of layers, The aforementioned multiple layers are, A first layer comprising one or more curved conduits for holding the coolant reservoir, A second layer having one or more conduits for holding a reservoir of a chemical medium, A third layer comprising one or more conduits for holding a reservoir of disinfectant medium, The system according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein each of the plurality of layers comprises one or more grooves connected in series, configured to guide the shackle along the processing line to one or more conduits.

22. Each of the one or more curved conduits in each of the plurality of layers is curved, and / or The system according to claim 21, wherein each of the plurality of layers is arranged vertically, horizontally, or in combination thereof.

23. The system according to any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising one or more truss structures configured to support the automatic immersion cooling system.

24. The system according to any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising a trolley attached to the track, wherein the shackle is configured to move in parallel motion as it moves along the processing line.

25. The system according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the cooling medium held in the reservoir is ice slurry, chilled water, or a combination of chilled water and ice slurry.

26. The system according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the cooling medium comprises a disinfectant configured to disinfect the product on the shackle.

27. ​​A method for automatic immersion cooling of a product using the system described in any one of claims 4 to 18, A process of moving the product parallel along the track of the processing line, The process of immersing the aforementioned product in a cooling medium, A method comprising the step of vibrating the product within the cooling medium.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the step of translating the product includes moving the product via a trolley configured to move in parallel along the track, thereby moving the shackle system to which the product is fixed along the track.

29. The vibration step includes the step of vibrating the product on the shackle in the cooling medium, The method according to claim 28, wherein the shackle system comprises the shackle.

30. The method according to claim 28, wherein the product in the cooling medium is agitated.

Images