The invention is a freezing apparatus and method for freezing a liquid in a rapid and efficient manner. The apparatus includes a frame, a freezing mold assembly that is removably mounted within the frame, and a central nozzle for distributing the freezing liquid throughout the mold assembly. The freezing mold assembly includes a plurality of freezing cells that are configured to receive the liquid and freeze it quickly, while the central nozzle distributes the liquid evenly throughout the mold assembly to ensure consistent freezing. The method includes the steps of filling the freezing cells with the liquid, activating the central nozzle to distribute the liquid evenly, and rapidly freezing the liquid in the cells. The apparatus also includes a demolding assembly for gently unfreezing the frozen content to enable easy demolding.

Method for determining the temperature of products transported on the conveyor belt of a cryogenic tunnel, comprising the following steps: continuously measuring the surface temperature of products travelling on the conveyor belt; measuring the thickness of a product at the point where the temperature measurement is taken; performing the following evaluation: a. when the thickness of the product is within a certain range, then the temperature measured for said product is considered to be a reliable value; b. when the thickness of the product is outside the range, then the last temperature value of the measured product is considered to be a reliable value according to paragraph a) above; c. after a determined period of time during which the measured thickness is outside the range, it is concluded that there are no products on the conveyor belt and the temperature measurements are no longer taken into account.

Method for determining the temperature of products transported on the conveyor belt of a cryogenic tunnel, comprising the following steps: continuously measuring the surface temperature of products travelling on the conveyor belt; measuring the thickness of a product at the point where the temperature measurement is taken; performing the following evaluation: a. when the thickness of the product is within a certain range, then the temperature measured for said product is considered to be a reliable value; b. when the thickness of the product is outside the range, then the last temperature value of the measured product is considered to be a reliable value according to paragraph a) above; c. after a determined period of time during which the measured thickness is outside the range, it is concluded that there are no products on the conveyor belt and the temperature measurements are no longer taken into account.

A food freezer includes: a first housing having a first chamber arranged internally within for providing a freezing gas to a food product within the first chamber; a second housing having a second chamber arranged internally within and being in fluid communication with the first chamber for exhausting the freezing gas from the first chamber; an adjustable opening disposed at a common wall between the first chamber and the second chamber for controlling a flow of the freezing gas moving from the first chamber to the second chamber, the adjustable opening disposed to provide a flow path for the flow of the freezing gas to a region of the second chamber for exhaust from said second chamber to an area external to the first housing and second housing; and a pressure curtain comprising the exhaust and disposed at the second chamber to prevent atmosphere from the area external to the first housing and second housing from entering said housings. A related method of exhausting freezing gas is also provided.

A food freezer includes: a first housing having a first chamber arranged internally within for providing a freezing gas to a food product within the first chamber; a second housing having a second chamber arranged internally within and being in fluid communication with the first chamber for exhausting the freezing gas from the first chamber; an adjustable opening disposed at a common wall between the first chamber and the second chamber for controlling a flow of the freezing gas moving from the first chamber to the second chamber, the adjustable opening disposed to provide a flow path for the flow of the freezing gas to a region of the second chamber for exhaust from said second chamber to an area external to the first housing and second housing; and a pressure curtain comprising the exhaust and disposed at the second chamber to prevent atmosphere from the area external to the first housing and second housing from entering said housings. A related method of exhausting freezing gas is also provided.

Disclosed are methodology and apparatus for freezing the exterior crust of products, such as food products, in a manner that does not cause the exterior of the product to adhere to the surface on which it is placed during or after the freezing.

Disclosed are methodology and apparatus for freezing the exterior crust of products, such as food products, in a manner that does not cause the exterior of the product to adhere to the surface on which it is placed during or after the freezing.

A system for providing a desired amount of cooling to a quantity of non-liquid conveyable product in a vessel within a given length of residence time including: (A) continuously feeding a mass of the product into, through and out of a vessel, at a rate that provides a predetermined length of residence time, wherein the product is moved through the vessel by engagement thereof with an impeller; and (B) feeding cryogen out of a plurality of nozzle openings directly into or onto the product in the vessel while the impeller is moving the product continuously past the nozzle openings, wherein the cryogen is fed into said non-liquid conveyable product from a sufficient number of nozzle openings to provide the desired amount of cooling to the product within the given period of residence time, and wherein the flow of cryogen out of each nozzle opening is continuous or intermittent.

A system for providing a desired amount of cooling to a quantity of non-liquid conveyable product in a vessel within a given length of residence time including: (A) continuously feeding a mass of the product into, through and out of a vessel, at a rate that provides a predetermined length of residence time, wherein the product is moved through the vessel by engagement thereof with an impeller; and (B) feeding cryogen out of a plurality of nozzle openings directly into or onto the product in the vessel while the impeller is moving the product continuously past the nozzle openings, wherein the cryogen is fed into said non-liquid conveyable product from a sufficient number of nozzle openings to provide the desired amount of cooling to the product within the given period of residence time, and wherein the flow of cryogen out of each nozzle opening is continuous or intermittent.

The present invention relates to a distribution system and an item of equipment for treatment of solid material that comprises same, wherein said distribution system comprises a means for transmitting movement that is configured to generate a rotating movement; a distribution element comprising a surface parallel to the feeding means on which at least one rod is arranged, perpendicularly, configured to come into contact with the solid material to be treated; a rotating means which connects the means for transmitting movement to the distribution element, configured to generate a rocking or circular movement; and a means for supporting the distribution element; wherein a first end of the distribution element comprises a means for joining to the rotating means, situated on an axis eccentric to the axis of rotation of said rotating means, and a second end, opposite to the first end, is accommodated on the supporting means.