US2631440A - Machine for freezing packaged products - Google Patents

Description

6 Sheets-Sheet l l. H. POLK MACHINE FOR FREEZING PACKAGED PRODUCTS March 17, 1953 Filed Dec. 18, 1948 INVENTOR ISAAC H. POLK ATTORNEYS March 17, 1953 l. H. POL'K MACHINE FOR FREEZING PACKAGED PRODUCTS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 18, 1948 mm K m0 mm. M2

09 kww w m vw mm INVENTOR ISAAC H. POLK ATTORNEYS I. H. POLK MACHINE FOR FREEZING PACKAGED PRODUCTS March 17, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 18, 1948 INVENTOR ISAAC H. POLK ATTORNEYS March 17, 1953 l. H. POLK MACHINE FOR FREEZING PACKAGED PRODUCTS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 18, 1948 FIG. l4.

r lo.

INVENTOR ISAAC H. POLK FIG. 9.

FIG. 8.

ATTORNEYS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 I. H. POLK MACHINE FOR FREEZING PACKAGED PRODUCTS FIG. l2.

Filed Dec.

IT L i- INVENTOR ISAAC H. POLK ATTORNEYS nos 15 l3 I4 I75 I72 I73 I34 ms 136 mu FIG. I3.

I08 us H7 96 a4 I. H. POLK MACHINE FOR FREEZING PACKAGED PRODUCTS March 17, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG. l6 b.

Filed Dec. 18, 1948 FIG. l6a.

INVENTOR H. POLK ISAAC BY v ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 17, 1953 MACHINE FOR FREEZING PACKAGED PRODUCTS Isaac H. Polk, San Jose, Calif.

Application December 18, 1948, Serial No. 66,050

21 Claims.

This invention relates generally to apparatus for the. sharp or. quick freezing of packaged food. More particularly the invention is an improvement upon the inventions set forth in my copending applications for patent Serial No. 691,962 for Tunnel Freezing Apparatus and Method and Serial No. 8,553 for Vertical Pressure Plate Food Freezing Machine and Method. Reference is made to said applications for an explanation of the many disadvantages of presentday apparatus in commercial use with which I am familiar.

An object'of this invention is to provide a novel automatic machine for the sharp freezing of packaged food wherein a large number of packages can be progressively frozen in such a manner that intermittently within short intervals of time a given number of frozen packages can be delivered by the machine and a like number of unfrozen packages fed to the machine.

Another object is to provide amachine of this type embodying vertically disposed freezing plates between which the packages are received together with improved means for suspending the plates and for causing vertical movement thereof when desired. A further object is to provide improved apparatus for moving the plates toward and. away from each other and for maintaining the plates in pressure engagement with packages of food disposed between them.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide a new and improved method of and means for charging or loading the machine with packages and for discharging or unloading packages from the machine. In this connection it is an object to provide a method of and means for intermittently feeding a limited number of packages into the machine at the top thereof and intermittently removing a, like number from the bottom; of thev machine while maintaining the machine chargedwith a larger number of packages in progressive stages of freezing.

' Another object is to provide a method of and means forremoving the outermost, such as the lowermost, row of frozen packages from between the plates, together with a method and means for rupturing frost adhesions which may exist between the said row of packages and the next ad- Jacent row of packages.

A still further object is to provide a freezing machine wherein the newly added unfrozen packages are subjected, during handling and freezing, to less pressure than those which are frozen.

Another bject is plp ovis s im roved means for periodically de-icing the surfaces of the freezing plates, together with improved means for actuating the de-icing means.

These and other objects will be apparent from the description and the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only:

Fig.1 is an elevational view of the side of a machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a'sectional plan view on line 4-4 of Fig. 1; I

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of the left end of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig 8. is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a section on the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary detail section of one adjustable'stop for an end of one of the hangers;

Fig. 12 is a section on the line l2-I2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary elevational view of one of the de-icing and package supporting elements as on the line l3-l3 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged section on the line i l-l4 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged section on the line 15-! 5 of Fig. 13; and

Figs. 16a to 161 are diagrammatic views show-' ing the operation of the machine.

More particularly describing the invention, reference numeral! I generally indicates a frame which is shown as made up of four corner posts I2 connected together at their lower ends by longitudinally extending base members l3, each comprising a pair of rails M. of angle cross section, and. by cross members l5 of like construction. The posts support upper longitudinally extending frame elements I6 of box-like section which are connected by end cross members i? and I1. Intermediate the upper and lower ends of the posts are longitudinally extending frame elements 20. Certain other elements of the frame will be described later. However, the details of the frame itself are unimportant insofar as their exact construction and the means for securing the parts together are concerned.

Mounted on the frame in a manner to be described are three vertically disposed freezing plates indicated by 25, 26, and 21, respectively. Any number of such plates may be provided, and the three shown are merely illustrative of a simple form of the invention. The plates are adapted to receive between them packages of food P to be frozen, and these packages are preferably disposed with their least dimension at right angles to the plates to provide for the most efficient freezing of the product within the packages.

The plates are provided with planiform parallel outer surfaces and are hollow or partial- 1y hollow to permit the circulation of refrigerant therethrough which may be introduced through the inlets 3t and removed through outlets 3!. The construction of the interior of the plates is immaterial to this invention and reference is made to my abovereferred-to copending applications for constructions which may be used. Preferably the outer sides of the outer plates are covered with a thick layer of heat insulation indicated at 32.

The two outer plates '25 and 21 are mounted for movement laterally of the central plate 26, and all plates are mounted for a variable limited amount of vertical movement. The plates are supported at each end on hangers 34 which extend transversely of the frame and are guided for vertical movement between rails 35 and posts l2. The hangers each are provided with a pair of slots 36 which receive rollers 31 mounted on brackets 38 on the two outer plates. This construction permits adjustable limited lateral movement of the plates relative to the hangers.

The central plate is also supported on the hangers. Intermediate slots 35, each hanger is provided with a bolt receiving hole 45 (Figs. 7 and which receives a stud bolt 4| mounted in a bracket 42 on the central plate.

The hangers are mounted at each end upon hydraulic supports generally indicated by 48 (Figs. '7 and 8). These supports each comprise a cylinder 49 pivotally mounted on a vertically extending bracket 45 which is welded or otherwise secured to the longitudinally extending frame element at. The cylinders 49 contain doubleacting pistons 56 which have upwardly extending piston rods 5| provided with a clevis joint member 52 which is secured to the hanger bar by a pin 53. In the normal position of the plates hydraulic fluid in the cylinders 49' serves to hold the pistons extended with the hangers in their uppermost position as shown in the drawings.

Stops 55 comprising set screws 55a. mounted in the guide rails provide an adjustable means for limiting downward movement of the hangers.

Means are provided for moving the two outer plates toward and away from the central plate. This means comprises a plurality of vertically extending pivotally mounted bell cranks of which three are shown mounted on each side or the outer plate between frame elements It and 26. In each set of bell cranks the end cranks, which are identical, are indicated by numeral 80, and the center one by 65. Each crank has a pair of spaced arms 62 which are connected to the outer plates by rods 63 having ball ends received in sockets 64 (Fig. 6) on the outer faces of the outer plates and sockets 65 at the ends of the cranks.-

Each set of cranks 60iii is actuated by a hydraulic mean which includes a cylinder t8 pivotally mounted on a bracket 69 fastened to the upper frame element It. The cylinder contains a double-acting piston it having a piston rod il which is adjustably secured to an actuat' ing crank arm 72 attached to the central bell crank 6|. The crank arm forms part of a split collar '13 (Fig. 5) to facilitate the proper adjustment of the mechanism. In order to limit relative movement of the bell cranks, and thence the plates, depending bars 74 and it are mounted on the upper frame elements It of the frame. These members are provided with inwardly extending set crews :5 which can be adjusted to provide abutments for end portions i3 of the split collar 13. It will be apparent that such adjustment is necessary to adjust the apparatus to accommodate packages of various widths.

A connecting rod llserves to transmit the motion of the center crank 6| to the end cranks ac, the rod being connected to arm '12 of crank 5i and arms 79 of cranks 6i Outward move ment of the piston Ill serves to rotate the central crank in a direction to cause the rods to move inwardly and thus move the associated plates in a like direction. Opposite movement of the piston, of course, moves the plates outwardly.

The apparatus is. provided with mean for supporting the packages when the same are not held supported solely by the freezing plates. The apparatus is also provided with means for applying a deicing fluid to the surfaces of the plates whenever this is desirable. best shown in Figs. 2, 3, 12, 13, and 14. Referring to these figures, 82 generally indicates a package support and deicing member. It is contemplated that one such member is provided for each space between plates and, in the form of the invention shown, two such members are utilized. These members each comprise an elongated body 83 extending the length of the plates having upper and lower longitudinally extending portions 85 and 85, respectively, and upright end portions 36. The upper portion 84 is adapted to receive a package support table 88 which, in the form of the invention shown, comprises a hat member 89 having a depending central rib 99 which is received within a groove in the upper portion 8d of the package support and deicing member. The table is preferably secured in place by a suitable number of machine screws 92 as shown in Fig. 14. Various width tables may be interchangeably mounted so that a table of appropriate width may be used, depending upon the width of the packages being frozen.

The package support and de-icing member also carries a longitudinally extending pipe 9 3 which is provided with an inlet pipe 95 (Fig. 13) leading from an inlet passage 95 which may be connected by a hose 9'! to a source of fluid. The pipe 94 has a plurality of spray heads 96 designed to spray a de-icing fluid ontov the walls of the freezingplates when the de-icing apparatus is raised between the plates. The pipe is supported between posts 99 extending between the pipe and the upper and lower portions of the member 82.

The member 82 is provided with two pairs of wipers indicated by Hill and IE1. The upper set of wipers I06] comprises flexible rubber-like strips 32 mounted in suitable holders I03 which are adjustably secured to the upperportion 84 of member 82 by screws I04. The lower wipers it! also comprise fiat rubber-like strips 132 mounted in holders I05 which are secured to the lower portion 85 of member 82.

The function of the wipers is the same as that in my copending applications previously referred to, namely, the lower wipers serving to spread the de-icing fluid as the same is sprayed from Such apparatus is.

heads 96 of pipe 94 during upward movement of the apparatus betweenplates; the upper wiper elements being adapted to more firmly engage the surfaces of the plates so that on downward movement of the device these will substantially remove the fluid and any melted frost from the plates.

Each of the members 82 is suspended on a pair of vertically extending chains individually designated by numerals I08 and I119. The chains are supported at their upper ends on sprocket wheels IIIl mounted on a shaft III which may be journaled to the frame of the machine in any suitable manner. At their lower ends the chains pass around sprocket wheels I I2 and I I3 mounted on shafts H4 and H5, respectively. Each end of a member 82 is secured to its corresponding chain as by means of a bracket I I1 thereon (Fig. 13) which receives the chain and is secured to it by suitable pins I I8. The bracket is provided with a serrated outer surface I to receive the chain links and sprocket wheel.

The shafts H4 and H5 are actuated by a hydraulic means including a cylinder !22 which contains a piston (not shown) to which is attached a chain I23 which extends around a sprocket wheel I24 mounted on shaft IE4 and around a sprocket I25 mounted on a countershaft I26 at the opposite end of the frame. The end of this chain is connected to the piston rod #21 which extends from the cylinder I22. Intermeshing pinions I28 and I29 are provided on shafts I26 and H5.

With this construction movement of the piston Within cylinder I22 will cause movement of the chain I23 thereby rotating the shafts II and H5, and the sprockets I I2 and H3 keyed thereto thereby imparting movement to the member 82.

For reasons which will later become apparent it is desirable to be able to raise the package support and ole-icing members 82 a predetermined distance when desired to engage and support the lowermost row of packages in the machine. To accomplish this, means are provided independent of the heretofore described means for raising the members 82, for effecting such movement. This means comprises three rotatively mounted horizontally extending cranks I32. These elements may be supported in any suitable manner on the frame for rotation. Each member is provided with a pair of arms I33 which carry a roller I34 rotatably mounted thereon. The lower edges of the members 82 rest upon and are supported by the rollers I34 when the members 82 are in their lowermost position. Each of the members I32 is provided with a crank arm I35, and these are connected by a connecting rod I31. Actuating means is provided for the members I32 in the form of a hydraulic unit comprising a cylinder 638 pivotally mounted on a bracket I39 attached to the frame. The cylinder contains a piston (not shown) and an outwardly extending piston rod I49 which i pivotally connected to an actuating arm MI mounted on the member i372 shown at the left end of Fig. 4.

It will be apparent that by actuating the hydraulic unit the members 82 may be oammed upwardly. In order to limit the extent of-this upward movement a stop means is provided which consists of a removable stop 544 on a bracket I45 at the end of the cylinder I22. It may be stated in this connection that in the normal operation of the device both cylinders H38 and 522 are actuated simultaneously, and the stop serves to limit travel of the chain I23.

The machine is provided with means for forming a package delivery surface generally indicated by numeral I50 below the lower ends of the plates. The surface is made up in part by the tables at the upper ends of elements 82 and in part by the plates I5I and I52. The plates may be attached to the frame in any suitable manner. Plate I52 is preferably made so that it may be adjusted laterally as may be necessary where the device is adjusted to accommodate different sized packages. Forming a substantial continuation of the surface I59 is a conveyer I54 of any suitable endless type. Adapted to operate over the package delivery surface is a pair of package sweeps, indicated generally by numerals I58 and I51. The sweeps each consist of an elongated rail I 58 of generally angle cross section having a protruding rib I59 on their inner faces. Each sweep is actuated by three hydraulic units I69, each of which consists of a cylinder having a double-acting piston with an extending piston rod I62 attached to the sweep. The cylinders are supported on brackets 863 which are dependently mounted from the frame members 20.

The machine is also provided with a central rail I55, the purpose of which is to act in coordination with the sweeps to cause tilting of a row of packages extending below the freezing plates to break the same away from the packages immediately above and. to which they may be attached by frost adhesions as will be explained. The rail, normally in lowered position, comprises a flat bordy I66 terminating at its upper edge in a bulbous-like head I651. The rail is received within a longitudinally extending recess I59 in a rail guard I19 mounted on the frame in any suitable manner. Any suitable means may be provided for raising the rail from the position in which it is shown in Fig. 12 to the broken-line position thereof in the figure. This may be done hydraulically as by means of one or more pistons I12 operating in cylinders I13 below the member I65.

Since the member 82 is used for applying a deicing fluid to the surfaces of the plates and thereafter removing the same, a drip pan I15 is provided at the lower part of the frame beneath the de-icing members, and a conduit IE5 may be pro vided for conveying the fluid away.

It is contemplated that various hydraulic systerns may be used for operating the hydraulic units previously described and that any suitable control means may be used for coordinating the movements of the pistons to achieve operation of the machine in a manner to be described, and it is therefore thought unnecessary to describe a system.

' Referring now to Figs. 16a to 16f, inclusive, for a description of a preferred method of operating the machine, although the machine may be operated in various Ways, the following is the method Or way in which the machine is designed to be operated.

Assuming that the machine has been charged with a load of packages of food or the like and that the contents of the packages are progressively frozen from bottom to top, the ones on top being unfrozen and the ones at the bottom being completely frozen and at the lowest temperature desired, the machine will be in the position such that the plates 25, 26, and 21 are in their uppermost position and in firm pressure engagement with the packages. Assuming then that the lowermost row of packages is ready for removal f om the machine. the packa e s pp 32 are moved upwardly to engage the lower edges of the lowermost row of packages as shown in Fig. 1612. This movement is accomplished by the actuation of hydraulic unit I38 which rotates the cranks I32 and raises the members 82 a predetermined distance which is the distance necessary to cause the tables to engage the lower edges of the lowermost row of packages.

The next step comprises the movement of the plates to the position in which they are shown in Fig. 161). This is accomplished by relieving the pressure of plates against the packages and then moving the plates downwardly to shear any frost adhesions between the plates and packages. In the operation of the device it is preferable to merely relieve the pressure of the plates against the Sides of the packages and then move the plates downwardly without appreciably opening them any farther until the frost or ice adhesions between the packages and plates are ruptured. Practicably, this is accomplished by applicants device by connecting the inner ends of the cylinders E8 (the pistons of which actuate the plates laterally) to the upper ends of the cylinders as which form part of the hanger and plate supporting apparatus, and to a common source of hydraulic fluid under pressure and at the same time relieving the pressure at the opposite ends of the cylinders. When pressure fiuid is introduced into the inner ends of the cylinders 68 and the upper ends of the cylinders 58, since the packages are presumably adhering to the plates and the plates are in pressure engagement with the packages, the first action that takes place is the relieving of the pressure against the packages. Following this the fluid acting on the piston in cylinders 28, the eifective area of which greatly exceeds the effective area of the pistons in cylinders 58, together with a force of gravity acting on the plates, forces the plates down, shearing any frost adhesions. Once the adhesions have been ruptured the plates are free to separate widely enough to permit of the easy removal of packages from between them.

In the lower position( Fig. 16b) the lower edges of the plates are at a distance above the package delivery surface equal to the height of the packages. During the downward movement of the plates the rail I65 moves upwardly as shown in the figure.

In the next operation the package supporting members as are lowered to their original position as shown in Fig. 160.

As the packages move down from the position of Fig. 16b to that of 160 an unfrozen row of packages is introduced between the plates at the top in any desired manner.

As shown in Fig. 16d, the plates are then moved inwardly to firmly engage the load of packages therebetween and thereafter the two sweeps we and i5? move inwardly to engage the lower portions of the outer sides of the two rows of packages shown which are then tilted when the plates are raised in the next movement of the apparatus. The plates are moved upwardly very gradually and the sweeps pushing in against the packages tilt them by pushing them against the head it? of the rail it, as shown in Fig. 16d. This, of course, frees the lower row of packages from the lowest row of packages remaining between the plates by disrupting the frost adhesions between said rows. As the plates move upwardly the rail E65 moves downwardly, permitting the sweep [56 to push both rows of Packages and iii it the other sweep it] toward the left, as shown in Fig. 162, until the packages are placed on the conveyer We as shown in Fig. 16f. The sweep 556 may then be returned to its original position. In the operation of the sweeps a diiferential of pressure is maintained between the sweeps so that sweep I55 always exerts a greater force against the packages than the other sweep.

While the invention has been shown and described with particularity, it is contemplated that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as indicated by the claims.

I claim:

1. In a method of freezing flat-sided packages of uniform size between vertical refrigerated surfaces by conduction wherein the space between the surfaces is filled with packages arranged row upon row and the surfaces are in pressure engagement with the packages, the steps of supporting the packages against downward movement by supporting the lower row of packages at their lower edges, relieving the pressure of the surfaces against the packages and moving the surfaces downwardly torupture frost adhesions between surfaces and packages, lowering the entire load of packages until the lowermost row of packages is below the bottom of the surfaces, adding an unfrozen row of packages at the top of the load, moving said surfaces laterally into pressure and holding engagement with all the packages except said lowermost row, raising said surfaces and the packages held therebetween to the original height of the surfaces, and removing said lowermost row of packages.

2. In a method of freezing fiat-sided packages of uniform size between vertical refrigerated surfaces by conduction wherein the space between -'the surfaces is filled with packages arranged row .pon row and the surfaces are in pressure engagement with the packages, the steps of supporting the packages against downward movement by supporting the lower row of packages at their lower edges, relieving the pressure of the surfaces against the packages and moving the surfaces downwardly to rupture frost adhesions bet-ween surfaces and packages, lowering the entire load of packages until the lowermost row of packages is below the bottom of the surfaces, adding an unfrozen row of packages at the top of the load, moving said surfaces laterally into pressure and holding engagement with all the packages except said lowermost row, raising said surfaces and the packages held therebetween to the original height of the surfaces, removing said loweanost row of packages by tilting the packages thereof relative to the packages remaining between said surfaces as said surfaces are raised to thereby rupture any frost adhesions between said lowermost row the next adjacent row, and subsequently conveying the packages away.

3. The method of removing an outer row of frozen, flat-sided packages from an adjacent row of such packages to which it i attached by frozen adhesions and from between conduction freezing surfaces in pressure engagement with said rows, the steps of relieving the pressure of the surfaces against said packages and causing said outer row to project beyond the edges of said surfaces, causing said surfaces to grip said adjacent row of packages, and tilting said outer row of packages relative to said adjacent row thereby rupturing the frozen adheslons between said adjacent row and said outer row.

4. In a method of freezing flat-sided packages of uniform size between vertical refrigerated plates by conduction wherein the space between the plates is filled with packages arranged row upon row and the plates are in pressure engagement with the packages, the steps of providing a substantially planar horizontal package delivery surface below said plates, supporting the packages against downward movement 'by supporting the lower row of pack-ages at their lower edges, moving the plates-laterally away from each other to remove pressure from the packages and substantially simultaneously -moving the plates downwardly until they are a distance above thepackage delivery surface equal to the height of a package, lowering the entire load of packages until the lower edges of the lowermost row of packages are in the plane oi. the package delivery surface, moving the plates laterally into pressure and holding engagement with all the packages except those of the lower row, raising said plates and held packages to the original position of the plates, and removing said lower row of packages by exerting lateral pressure thereon to cause said packages to move over said delivery surface.

5. In a method of freezing flat-sided packages of uniform sizebetween vertical refrigerated plates by conduction wherein the space between the plates is filled with packages arranged row upon row. and the plates are in pressure engagement with the packages, the steps of providing a substantially planar horizontal package delivery surface below said plates, supporting the packages against downward movement by supporting the lower row of packages at their lower edges, moving the plates laterally away from each other to remove pressure from the packages and, substantially simultaneously moving the plates downwardly until they are a distance above the package delivery surface equal to the height of a package, lowering the entire load of packages until the .lower edge of the lowermost row of packages are in the plane of the package delivery surface, moving the plates laterally into pressure and holding engagement with allthe packages except those of the lower row, raising.

said plates and held packagesto their original position, and'simultaneously breaking said lower row of packages away from the next row by exerting lateral pressure thereon from one side below the centers thereof and: providing an abutment .at the opposite side of the packages above the area of exerted. lateral pressure, and subsequently removing said abutment and moving saidpackagesaway over said delivery surface.

6. In a method of freezing fiat-sided packages of food, providing a pair of opposed refrigerated surfaces, moving the packages intermittently from one end of said surfaces to the opposite end, and subjecting the packages to progressively greater pressures from said surfaces from the time the packages are introduced between the surfaces to the time they are removed, the pressure on said packages being relieved during movement of the packages.

7. In a method of freezing flat-sided packages of unfrozen food, providing a pair of opposed refrigerated surfaces, introducing said packages between said surfaces at one point, intermittently moving said packages between said surfaces to another point and subjecting said packages to pressure from said surfaces during periods of rest of the packages and relieving the pressure during movement of the packages, the pressure exerted being relatively greater on packages in said supports upwardly a predetermined diswhich the contents are frozen than on those in which the contents are not frozen.

8. In a machine having vertically disposed laterally spaced freezing plates between which packages of food to be frozen can be received, means for moving said plates toward and away. from each other, means for moving said plates vertically, a vertically movable package support and anti-icing fluid applicator structure normal: 1y positioned below said plates and between the planes of opposed sides of adjacent plates, means for moving said structure a predetermined limited distance to bring it into supporting engagement with the packages between the plates and means for moving said structure to the upper edges of said plates.

9. In a machine having vertically disposed laterally spaced freezing plates between which packages of food to be frozen can be received, means for moving said plates toward and away from each other, means for moving said plates vertically, means forming a horizontal package delivery surface below said plates, a vertically movable package support normally positioned below said plates with its upper surface in the plane of said delivery surface, and means for raising and lowering said support.

10. In a machine having vertically disposed laterally spaced freezing platesbetween which packages offood to be frozen can bereceived, means for moving said plates toward and away from each other, means for moving said plates vertically, means forming a horizontal package delivery surface below said plates, a vertically movable package support normally positioned be low said plates with its upper surface in the plane of said delivery surface, means for raising and lowering said support, and means for tilting a package wholly projecting beyond the lower edges of said plates and connected to a package between said plates by frost adhesions.

l1. In a vertical plate food freezing machine. a frame, vertically arranged laterally spaced freezing plates between which packages of food to be frozen can be received, vertically movable means carried by said frame normally support.- ing said plates in a given position, a vertically movable package support normally positioned below said plates and between the planes of opposed sides of adjacent plates, means for moving tance for supporting engagement with a row of packages between the plates, and means for causing downward movement of the plate supporting means.

12. In a vertical plate food freezing machine, a frame, vertically arranged laterally spaced freezing plates between which packages of food to be frozen can be received, a hanger at each end of said frame, means supporting said plates on said hanger, and hydraulic means supporting said hangers for limited vertical movement.

13. A device as defined in claim 12 in which an odd number of plates are employed and all but the center plate are mounted for limited movement on said hangers in a direction whereby said plates can be moved toward and away from each other in a direction at right angles to their planes of disposition.

14. In a device of the type described having vertically arranged freezing plates, package supporting means arranged below said plates for movement therebetween comprising elongated package supporting members, a plurality of rotatably mounted horizontal cranks below said members, each crank having a pair of spaced arms and a roller carried by said arms, said cranks being normally disposed in position to support said members in lower position with the members resting on said rollers, and mean for rotating said cranks to raise said arms and said members.

' 15. In a method of removing frozen fiat-sided packages of uniform size from between vertical refrigerated surfaces disposed in pressure engagement with the sides of the packages, the steps of Supporting the edges of the packages disposed along a margin of said surfaces, relieving the pressure of the surfaces against the packages, moving said surfaces in a direction parallel to the sides of said packages in the direction of the support to shear'frost adhesions between'the surfaces and packages, and moving the surfaces laterally away from the sides of the packages to permit their removal.

16. In a machine having vertically disposed laterally spaced freezing plates between which packages of food to be frozen can be received, a package delivery surface below said plates, a sweep member movable over said surface, and a package abutment rail movable to a position over said surface, said'rail being constructed and arranged for' engagement with a package depending below said plates on a side of said package opposite said sweep and t a level out of alignment with the sweep, and means for actuatii said sweep into fl a ement with a package "to tilt the same by forcing it against said rail.

17. For use in a device of the type described, means'for effecting lateral movement of a vertically disposed plate suspended from a frame and mounted for lateral movement, a plurality of bell cranks mounted on said frame for rotation about vertical axes to one side. of said plate, said cranks each havin a pair of vertica'lly spaced arms, a link pivotally mounted 12 plates and between the planes of the opposite sides of adjacent plates, and means for moving said support vertically.

19. The method of freezing fiat-sided articles between a pair of spaced opposed relatively movs able refrigerated plates during a predetermined freezing cycle, comprising the sequential steps of so laterally moving one of the plates relative to the other as to compress the articles between the platesfor a predetermined portion of said cycle and then to release said compression, then, substantially simultaneously with the release of said compression, effecting relative movement as between the plates and articles in a direction parallel to the planes of the opposed surfaces of the plates, and intermittently repeating said described series of steps throughout the remainder of said cycle.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the space between said plates is maintained substantially filled with said articles throughout said cycle.

21. The method of freezing flatesided articles between a pair of spaced opposed vertically dis-. posed relatively laterally movable refrigerated I plates having an article support mounted for vertical movement relative to and between said plates, comprising the sequential steps of later. ally moving the first of the. plates towards the other far enough tov compress said articles has tween the plates, maintaining the plates in said position during a predetermined freezingv period, moving said first plate. in the opposite. direction to relieve said compression, substantially simul--. taneously with the, latter movement. effecting relative movement in a vertical plane asbetween the articles and said plates tobreak ice adhesion of thearticles, to the plates occurring'during. said freezing period, and then moving thearticlesupport vertically downwardly between and relative to the plates to permit gravity movement offsaida anticles into. lowered position between theplates.

on'e ach crank and pivotally connected to said plate, said cranks each having an actuating arm, arod connecting the actuating arm of said cranks, "and means for actuating one of said reeks! "'18. In a vertical plate food freezing machine, a frame, vertically arranged laterally spaced freezing platesbetween which packages of food tobe frozen can be received, means supporting said plates on said frame for vertical and for lateral movement, means for moving said plates vertically and laterally, a Vertically movable Package support normally positioned below said ISAAC H. POLK.

REEEEENQ E 11E121 The following references are record in the; file. of this patent; 7

UNITED T TEsPAIsNTs Number Name. Date:

1,825,127- Hall Nov. 8, 1 932 1,998,431 Birdseye Apr. 23, 1935' 2,242,527 Knowles: May 20, 194 1 2,3(17,54 8 Stone Jan. 5, 1943: 2,329,746 Davison V Sept; 21, 1943 2,i 5,8 67 Kleist Dec. 7;- 1948-

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