FREEZING PLATE

Abstract

A freezing plate including freezing tubes having a similar length extending in a longitudinal direction, where each of the tubes has top, bottom, first, and second sides, where the tubes are arranged adjacent and with their longitudinal direction next to each other. An inlet section, where at least part of the inlet section is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, where the inlet section includes an inlet cavity, which is in fluid communication with the inlet end through an aperture arranged along a longitudinal direction of the inlet section. An outlet section, where at least part of the outlet section is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, where the outlet section includes an outlet cavity, which is in fluid communication with the outlet end, through an aperture arranged along a longitudinal direction of the outlet section, where the inlet cavity is in fluid communication with the outlet cavity through a conduit.

Claims

1. A freezing plate for freezing food articles in an industrial freezing installation, comprising: quadrilateral freezing tubes having substantially equal lengths extending in a first longitudinal direction and each of the quadrilateral freezing tubes comprising a top side, a bottom side, a first side, a second side, an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein said quadrilateral freezing tubes are arranged adjacent and parallel with each other along said first longitudinal direction next to each other forming a freezing plate; an inlet section, where at least part of said inlet section is arranged perpendicular to said first longitudinal direction, where said inlet section comprises an inlet cavity in fluid communication with said inlet end of one of said quadrilateral freezing tubes through a first aperture arranged along a second longitudinal direction of said inlet section; an outlet section, where at least part of said outlet section is arranged perpendicular to said first longitudinal direction, wherein said outlet section comprises an outlet cavity in fluid communication with said outlet end of said one of said quadrilateral freezing tubes through a second aperture arranged along a third longitudinal direction of said outlet section; such that said inlet cavity of said inlet section is in fluid communication with said outlet cavity of said outlet section through a conduit of said quadrilateral freezing tubes; and wherein said quadrilateral freezing tubes are provided in stainless steel and are attached to each other by welds extending along an entire length of said quadrilateral freezing tubes in said first longitudinal direction.

2. The freezing plate according to claim 1, wherein said quadrilateral freezing tubes are attached to each other by welds extending along an entire length of said top side and an entire length of said bottom side of said quadrilateral freezing tubes in said first longitudinal direction.

3. The freezing plate according to claim 1, where said inlet section and said outlet section are attached to said quadrilateral freezing tubes by a fastener.

4. The freezing plate according to claim 3, wherein said fastener is provided by welding.

5. The freezing plate according to claim 1, where a circumference of said conduit has a similar cross-sectional shape as cross-sectional shape of an outer surface of said quadrilateral freezing tubes.

6. The freezing according to claim 1, further comprising a U turn connection in fluid communication with said outlet end of said one of said quadrilateral freezing tubes and said inlet end of another of said quadrilateral freezing tubes.

7. The freezing plate according to claim to 6, further comprising: an end section arranged perpendicular to said first longitudinal direction; and an external connection section arranged perpendicular to said first longitudinal direction of said quadrilateral freezing tubes, said external connection section comprising an inlet section with an inlet cavity and an outlet section with an outlet cavity.

8. The freezing plate according to claim 1, where a fluid that is a refrigerant is present within said quadrilateral freezing tubes.

9. The freezing plate according to claim 1, further comprising an extension profile.

10. A freezing installation for freezing food articles, comprising: a body; a freezing plate located in the body, wherein the freezing plate comprises: quadrilateral freezing tubes having substantially equal lengths extending in a first longitudinal direction and each of the quadrilateral freezing tubes comprising a top side, a bottom side, a first side, a second side, an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein said quadrilateral freezing tubes are arranged adjacent and parallel with each other along said first longitudinal direction next to each other forming a freezing plate; an inlet section, where at least part of said inlet section is arranged perpendicular to said first longitudinal direction, where said inlet section comprises an inlet cavity in fluid communication with said inlet end of one of said quadrilateral freezing tubes through a first aperture arranged along a second longitudinal direction said inlet section; an outlet section, where at least part of said outlet section is arranged perpendicular to said first longitudinal direction, wherein said outlet section comprises an outlet cavity in fluid communication with said outlet end of said one of said quadrilateral freezing tubes through a second aperture arranged along a third longitudinal direction of said outlet section; such that said inlet cavity of said inlet section is in fluid communication with said outlet cavity of said outlet section through a conduit of said quadrilateral freezing tubes; and wherein said quadrilateral freezing tubes are provided in stainless steel and are attached to each other by welds extending along an entire length of said quadrilateral freezing tubes in said first longitudinal direction.

11. A method of manufacturing a freezing plate comprising: quadrilateral freezing tubes having substantially equal lengths extending in a first longitudinal direction and each of the quadrilateral freezing tubes comprising a top side, a bottom side, a first side, a second side, an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein said quadrilateral freezing tubes are arranged adjacent and parallel with each other along said first longitudinal direction next to each other forming a freezing plate; an inlet section, where at least part of said inlet section is arranged perpendicular to said first longitudinal direction, where said inlet section comprises an inlet cavity in fluid communication with said inlet end of one of said quadrilateral freezing tubes through a first aperture arranged along a second longitudinal direction said inlet section; an outlet section, where at least part of said outlet section is arranged perpendicular to said first longitudinal direction, wherein said outlet section comprises an outlet cavity in fluid communication with said outlet end of said one of said quadrilateral freezing tubes through a second aperture arranged along a third longitudinal direction of said outlet section; such that said inlet cavity of said inlet section is in fluid communication with said outlet cavity of said outlet section through a conduit of said quadrilateral freezing tubes; and wherein said quadrilateral freezing tubes are provided in stainless steel and are attached to each other by welds extending along an entire length of said quadrilateral freezing tubes in said first longitudinal direction, the method comprising: following steps: providing said quadrilateral freezing tubes in stainless steel; arranging said quadrilateral freezing tubes parallel in said first longitudinal direction of the freezing tubes, and placing said quadrilateral freezing tubes next to each other forming a substantially planar top freezing plate surface and a substantially planar bottom freezing plate surface; providing said inlet section and said outlet section; arranging at least part of said inlet section to said inlet end of said one of said quadrilateral freezing tubes; arranging at least part of said outlet section to said outlet end of said one of said quadrilateral freezing tubes; connecting said quadrilateral freezing tubes either to each other along parallel lateral longitudinal sides, or connecting said quadrilateral freezing tubes to said inlet section and said outlet section, or connecting said quadrilateral freezing tubes to each other along parallel lateral longitudinal sides, and connecting said quadrilateral freezing tubes to said inlet section and said outlet section, wherein said inlet section is in fluid communication with said outlet section through said conduit of said quadrilateral freezing tubes, such that where in use a refrigerant is capable of flowing into said inlet section, through said quadrilateral freezing tubes, and out of said outlet section and wherein attaching said quadrilateral freezing tubes to each other are performed by welding along said entire length of said quadrilateral freezing tubes in said first longitudinal direction.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the connecting said quadrilateral freezing tubes to each other by welding along said said entire length of the tubes is performed by simultaneous welding in said longitudinal direction along two adjacent tubes from said planar top freezing plate surface and from said planar bottom freezing plate surface.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0085] The embodiments of the disclosure are described in the following with reference to:

[0086] FIGS. 1a , b and c: Illustrating one embodiment of a freezing plate comprising freezing tubes.

[0087] FIG. 2a, b, c and d: Illustrating one embodiment of an assembly of a freezing plate comprising freezing tubes, an inlet section and an outlet section, and an extension profile.

[0088] FIG. 3: Illustrating one embodiment of an inlet section.

[0089] FIG. 4: Illustrating one embodiment of an outlet section.

[0090] FIG. 5: Illustrating one embodiment of an extension profile.

[0091] FIG. 6: Illustrating the one embodiment of welds attaching the freezing tubes to each other.

[0092] FIG. 7: Illustrating a cross section of one embodiment of a freezing plate comprising U-turn connections.

[0093] Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Like elements will, thus, not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the exemplified embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the claimed disclosure or as a limitation on the scope of the claimed disclosure. In addition, an illustrated example needs not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular example is not necessarily limited to that example and can be practiced in any other examples even if not so illustrated, or if not so explicitly described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE No Item

[0094] 1 freezing plate [0095] 2 freezing tube [0096] 3 inlet section [0097] 4 outlet section [0098] 5 conduit [0099] top side of freezing tube [0100] 6′ top freezing plate surface [0101] 7 bottom side of freezing tube [0102] 7′ bottom freezing plate surface [0103] 8 first side of freezing tube [0104] 9 second side of freezing tube [0105] 10 inlet end of freezing tube [0106] 11 outlet end of freezing tube [0107] 12 extension profile [0108] 30 inlet cavity [0109] 40 outlet cavity [0110] 50 end section [0111] 52 external connection section [0112] 54 U-turn connection [0113] 103 inlet section [0114] 104 outlet section [0115] 130 inlet cavity [0116] 140 outlet cavity [0117] X longitudinal direction of freezing tube [0118] X′ longitudinal direction of freezing plate [0119] Y longitudinal direction of inlet section [0120] ′ longitudinal direction of outlet section

[0121] Embodiments of the disclosure is explained in the following detailed description. It is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its scope to the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

[0122] FIGS. 1a, b and c: illustrates a freezing plate 1 comprising in this example eighteen quadrilateral hollow profiles arranged so that the profiles may act as freezing tubes 2 in a freezing plate 1. The eighteen freezing tubes 2 have all substantially similar length which determines the length of the freezing plate 1. The length of the freezing tubes 2 defines a longitudinal direction X. The eighteen freezing tubes 2 are all arranged adjacent next to each other forming a freezing plate 1. The freezing tubes 2 has a conduit 5 arranged between the ends of each of the freezing tubes 2. The circumference of conduit 5 has a similar cross sectional shape as the cross sectional shape of said freezing tube's outer surface, which is shown in FIG. 1b. The difference between the dimensions of the cross sectional shape of the conduit 5 and the freezing tube's 2 outer surface depends on the thickness of the material used for the profiles. The thickness of the chosen material, where the material provides the freezing tube's 2 wall, is uniform in a cross sectional view.

[0123] FIG. 2a, b, c and d: illustrates the assembly of a freezing plate 1 comprising of freezing tubes 2, an inlet section 3 and an outlet section 4. A plurality of quadrilateral freezing tubes 2, substantially squarish (square shaped), is substantially equal in width. Each of the freezing tubes has a top side 6 and a bottom side 7, which is equal in width. Each of the freezing tubes has a first side 8 and a second side 9, which all are equal in height. Furthermore, the freezing tubes 2 have also a substantially similar length, where the length provides a longitudinal direction X.

[0124] The freezing tubes 2 are arranged parallel along the longitudinal direction X of the freezing tubes 2. The freezing tubes 2 are arranged next to each other, side by side. The freezing tubes 2 form a rectangular freezing plate 1, also having a longitudinal direction X′ given by the longitudinal direction X of the freezing tubes 2. When the freezing tubes 2 are provided with the same height, the top sides 6 of the freezing tubes 2 provide a plan top freezing plate surface 6′, and the bottom sides 7 of the freezing plates 2 provide a plan bottom freezing plate surface 7′.

[0125] The freezing tubes 2 may be chosen as pre-constructed hollow profiles. The freezing tubes 2 may be of stainless steel and may be welded together to form the freezing plate 1. The conduit 5 inside the freezing tube 2 has a similar cross sectional shape as the cross sectional shape of the outer surface of the freezing tube 2.

[0126] The freezing tubes 2 form a freezing plate 1, which has an inlet end and an outlet end. The freezing tubes 2 are fastened together using the appropriate fastening means for the application. The inlet section 3 is arranged so that the inlet section 3 is adjacent to the inlet end 10 of one or more of the freezing tubes 2 and the outlet section 4 is arranged adjacent to the outlet end 11 of one or more of the freezing tubes 2. The inlet section 3 and an outlet section 4 have a longitudinal direction Y, Y′ and are arranged perpendicular to the freezing tubes 2. The inlet section 3 and an outlet section 4 are fastened to respectively the inlet end and the outlet end of the freezing plate 1.

[0127] A fluid connection is provided from the inlet cavity in the inlet section 3 to the outlet cavity of said outlet section 4, through the conduit 5 of said freezing tubes 2. The fluid connection provides a path for the fluid or refrigerant flow, which in use is flowing through the freezing plate 1 and freezing the food articles.

[0128] An extension profile 12 is provided at the inlet end 10 arranged adjacent to the inlet section 3. The extension profile 12 is fastened to the inlet section using screws.

[0129] The length of the freezing plate 1 is mainly given by the length of the freezing tubes 2. The freezing tubes 2 may be provided in different length depending on the desired length of the freezing plate 1 for a given purpose. The freezing tube 2 profiles may then easily be cut in the predefined length and a plurality of freezing tubes 2 may be welded together to form the desired size of the freezing plate 1. If the thickness of the freezing plate 1 is desired to be increased or decreased, the profiles may then be chosen in an appropriate cross section dimension. If the freezing plate 1 needs to be wider or narrower, the number of freezing tubes 2 may be increased or reduced according to the specifications on the freezing plate 1.

[0130] FIG. 3 illustrates an inlet section. The inlet section has a longitudinal direction Y and may be arranged perpendicular to the freezing tubes. Other applications or designs of freezing plates may choose to arrange the inlet section otherwise. The inlet section comprises an inlet cavity and inlet opening means to receive the refrigerant, which is not shown on the FIG. 3. One or more apertures 14 are arranged along a longitudinal direction Y of the inlet section 3. The apertures 14 are in fluid communication with the inlet opening means through the inlet cavity inside the inlet section 3. Each one of the apertures 14 is capable of providing refrigerant to one or more freezing tubes at the same time.

[0131] FIG. 4 illustrates an outlet section 4. The outlet section 4 has a longitudinal direction Y′, and may be arranged perpendicular to the freezing tubes in the opposite end of the inlet section 3, showed in FIG. 3. Other applications or designs of freezing plates may choose to arrange the outlet section otherwise. The outlet section 4 comprises an outlet cavity and outlet opening means to dispatch the refrigerant away from the outlet section, which is not shown on the FIG. 4. One or more apertures 15 are arranged along a longitudinal direction Y′ of the outlet section 4. The apertures 15 are in fluid communication with the inlet opening means through the inlet cavity inside the inlet section 3. Each one of the apertures 15 is capable of receiving refrigerant from one or more freezing tubes at the same time.

[0132] Hence a parallel or a serial configuration of the freezing tubes may be achieved. Furthermore, the freezing plate may comprises multiple sections each having a serial or parallel configuration of the freezing tubes.

[0133] FIG. 5 illustrates an extension profile. An extension profile 12 is provided at the inlet end 10 arranged adjacent to the inlet section 3. The extension profile 12 is a u-formed profile, which may be used as a protection means. The extension profile 12 is fastened to the inlet section using screws. The extension profile 12 may have another shape specified for the purpose of the extension profile 12, such as guide rail, connection means between the freezing plates and/or protection means.

[0134] FIG. 6 illustrates a section of an embodiment of multiple freezing tubes 2 attached to each other by welds.

[0135] The quadrilateral freezing tubes 2 are substantially equal lengths. Each freezing tube 2 having a top side 6, a bottom side 7, a first side 8, a second side 9, an inlet end 10 and an outlet end 11. The freezing tubes 2 are arranged adjacent to each other and in parallel such that one freezing tube is connected to an adjacent freezing tube by the a first side 8 of one tube 2 and the second side 9 of the other tube 2.

[0136] The freezing tubes are arranged in one plane such that they form a freezing plate 1 with a top freezing plate surface 6′ and a bottom freezing plate surface 7′ as illustrated in FIG. 2a.

[0137] In the illustrated embodiment, the freezing tubes are welded together by welds extending in the longitudinal direction along the entire length of the tubes 2. In particular, they are welded together along the joints arising in the connection of two adjacent freezing tubes 2 along the entire length of the top side 6 and the bottom side 7 of the tubes in the longitudinal direction. The welding on both sides of the tubes and in the entire length achieves for a hygienic and an easy to clean surface without crevices in the top freezing plate surface or the bottom freezing plate surface.

[0138] The welding on both sides of two tubes 2 to be attached to each other, may be performed simultaneous in the same direction, such that any deformation of the tubes due to heat dissipation arising during the welding process may be reduced.

[0139] The freezing tubes are furthermore welded together at the inlet ends 10 and the outlet ends 11. The orientation of the tubes 2 in that matter depends on which configuration of the flow direction obtained in the freezing plate, and hence are defined by the remaining assembly of the freezing plate not illustrated in this figure.

[0140] The end welds are illustrated by the arched lines along the joints arising in the connection of two adjacent freezing tubes 2 along their ends. The end welds may add to the hygienic design of the freezing plate by eliminating any diffusion of fluids entering between the attached freezing tubes.

[0141] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross section of one embodiment of a freezing plate 1 comprising U-turn connections 54. The freezing plate is configured for a serial fluid flow.

[0142] The freezing plate 1 comprises multiple quadrilateral freezing tubes 2, an end section 50, an external connection section 52 and multiple U-turn connections 54.

[0143] The multiple quadrilateral freezing tubes 2 are attached to each other along adjacent sides of the tubes 2 in the entire length such that a planar freezing plate is obtained.

[0144] The end section 50 is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the quadrilateral freezing tubes 2. The external connection section 52 is also arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the quadrilateral freezing tubes 2 but in the opposite end of the multiple freezing tubes.

[0145] The external connection section 52 comprises an inlet section 103 with an inlet cavity 130 and an outlet section 104 with an outlet cavity 140.

[0146] The multiple U-turn connections 54 are comprised in the end section 50 and in the external connection section 52. Each U-turn connection 54 are arranged in fluid communication with the outlet end 11 of one of said multiple quadrilateral freezing tubes 2 and the inlet end 10 of another of said multiple quadrilateral freezing tubes 2.

[0147] In this embodiment the freezing plate comprises a single inlet section 103 and a single outlet section 104 and U-turn connections 54 connection adjacent tubes such the a serial flow is achieved when in use. The orientation of the tubes 2 in regard to the inlet end 10 and the outlet end 11 is defined by the configuration of the flow in the freezing plate which is illustrated by the open-head arrows shown in the figure.

[0148] In other embodiments of the freezing plate 1, the U-turn connections 54 may connect two freezing tubes 2 not being adjacent to each other e.g. separated by one or more freezing tubes 2. Furthermore, the freezing plate may comprise multiple inlet sections 103 and outlet sections 104, the freezing tubes 2 may be connected in fluid communication with only a smaller number of the multiple freezing tubes, such that two or more separate fluid flows are achieved in the freezing plate. Furthermore, the freezing plate may be configured with a combination of parallel and serial fluid flows.

[0149] In regard to the exemplary embodiments described above with reference to the accompanying figures, the present examples may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth. Accordingly, the examples are merely described, by referring to the figures, to explain aspects. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

[0150] In the figures, thicknesses of a plurality of layers and areas are illustrated in an enlarged manner for clarity and ease of description thereof.

[0151] The spatially relative terms “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or “top”, “below”, “beneath”, “less”, “above”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship between one element or component and another element or component as illustrated in the drawings. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings.

[0152] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms, including “at least one,” unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. “At least one” is not to be construed as limiting “a” or “an.” It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0153] “About” or “approximately” as used herein is inclusive of the stated value and means within an acceptable range of deviation for the particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, considering the measurement in question and the error associated with measurement of the particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, “about” may mean within one or more standard deviations, or within ±30%, 20%, 10%, 5% of the stated value.

[0154] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined in the present specification.