Water flow for auger type poultry chiller

• US 6,397,622 B1
• Filed: 08/11/2000
• Issued: 06/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John Bean Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: Cooling & Applied Technology Incorporated (John Bean Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Miller, Michael E., Estes, Andrew C.
• Primary Examiner(s): CAPOSSELA, RONALD C
• Application Number:
  US09/637,345
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 62/63, 623/81
• US Class Current: 62/381
• CPC Class Codes: A22B 5/0076 Chilling or lowering the temperature of carcasses
• CPC Class Codes: A22C 21/00 Processing poultry
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 13/065 Articles being submerged in liquid coolant

Abstract

A counter flow, re-circulating, externally refrigerated auger type chiller. The chiller has a tank that is semi-cylindrical in shape so that the walls of the tank conform closely to the circular cross section of the auger. By minimizing the gap between the walls of the tank and the outer edges of the rotating auger, the counter flowing chilled water is forced to flow in the helical path determined by the auger. This assures a longer residence time for the chilled water in the auger, more thorough and more intimate contact between the poultry carcasses and the chilled water, and thus more efficient transfer of heat from the poultry carcasses to the chilled water.

Claims

1. An auger type food product chiller, comprising:

a tank comprising longitudinal side walls having an inlet end and an outlet end, an inlet wall closing said inlet end, an outlet wall closing said outlet end, wherein said longitudinal side walls, said inlet wall and said outlet wall together form a semi-cylinder having an inner surface and an outer surface;

an auger comprising at least one flight having outer edges, said auger mounted for rotation within said tank and having an axis of rotation whereby rotation of said auger moves a food product from said inlet end of said tank to said outlet end of said tank, wherein said inner surface of said tank side walls conforms closely to said outer edges of said one or more flights of said auger;

means for removing the food product from said outlet end;

means for discharging chilling water from said inlet end of said tank;

refrigerating means external to said outer surface of said tank for refrigerating the chilling water discharged from said inlet end of said tank;

means for re-circulating chilling water from said refrigerating means and introducing chilling water into said outlet end of said tank.

2. The auger type food product chiller of claim 1, further comprising means for sloping said tank from said outlet end downwardly toward said inlet end.