WO1998058218A1

WO1998058218A1 - Apparatus for cooling food products

Info

Publication number: WO1998058218A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/013232
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lev Reznikov; Zachary Schulman
Original assignee: Lev Reznikov; Zachary Schulman
Priority date: 1997-06-16
Filing date: 1997-06-16
Publication date: 1998-12-23

Abstract

For cooling food products in a container, an apparatus is provided which includes a supply structure (1) for supplying liquid carbon dioxide into the interior of the container and discharging liquid carbon dioxide in the interior to form a carbon dioxide flow, and also has a withdrawing structure (4) for withdrawing carbon dioxide vapors generated in the container and moving them in the vicinity of the supplying structure (1) so that cold of the carbon dioxide vapors is transferred to liquid carbon dioxide supplied by the supplying structure (1). The carbon dioxide vapors generated during the discharge can move in the vicinity of the supplied liquid carbon dioxide so that the cold of the carbon dioxide vapors is transferred to liquid carbon dioxide.

Description

APPARATUS FOR COOLING FOOD PRODUCTS

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an apparatus for cooling food products for example in rail cars, containers, vessels, trucks, etc.

Background Art

It is well known to cool food products with carbon dioxide. In known methods and apparatuses liquid carbon dioxide is supplied into the interior

of a container and discharged through a plurality of nozzles so that the liquid

carbon dioxide is chilled and forms snow which covers food products

accommodated in the container. While the existing methods and

apparatuses perform their intended functions in satisfactory manner, it is

always desirable to reduce liquid carbon dioxide consumption and to increase efficiency of the method and the system so as to either produce the

same amount of snow with lower liquid carbon dioxide consumption, or with

the same energy supply produce more snow.

Disclosure of the Invention Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an

apparatus for cooling food products, which is a further improvement of the existing methods and apparatuses.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide such an

apparatus which allow producing of cold by supplying liquid carbon dioxide

from outside of a food container, in particular for example from outside terminals, into the food container which is not supplied with corresponding devices for producing carbon dioxide snow.

In keeping with these objects and with others which will become

apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly

stated in an apparatus for cool food products, which comprises means for

supplying liquid carbon dioxide into the interior of the container and

discharging liquid carbon dioxide in the interior so as to form carbon dioxide

snow in the container with simultaneous generation of carbon dioxide vapors,

and means for withdrawing the carbon dioxide vapors from the container and

moving the withdrawn carbon dioxide vapors in the vicinity of the supplying means so that cold from the withdrawn carbon dioxide vapors is transmitted

to liquid carbon dioxide supplied by the supplying means, the supplying

means and the withdrawing means being located outside of the container. In accordance with another feature an apparatus for cooling food

products has a container for accommodating cooled products, means for supplying liquid carbon dioxide into the container, means for discharging

liquid carbon dioxide in the container so as to produce carbon dioxide snow

with simultaneous generation of carbon dioxide vapors, and means for

moving carbon dioxide vapors in the vicinity of the supplying means so that

cold of carbon dioxide is transferred to the supplied liquid carbon dioxide.

The energy consumption for producing of carbon dioxide snow to cool

the products is reached and the quantity of the snow produced with the

inventive solution is increased.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for cooling food products, which comprises a tubular pipe adapted to extend in

an interior of the container so as to supply liquid carbon dioxide, and a

plurality of nozzles arranged on the distributor pipe to discharge the liquid

carbon dioxide from the distributor pipe, the nozzles being arranged so that

jets of liquid carbon dioxide ejected by the nozzles extend substantially along

a longitudinal of the distributor pipe and against one another to collide

substantially between the nozzles.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide an apparatus for

cooling food products in a container, which comprises means for supplying

liquid carbon dioxide into a container, at least two nozzles connected with the

supplying means and discharging liquid carbon dioxide in two jets directed toward one another so as to produce carbon dioxide snow, and means for adjusting the jets of the nozzles so as to provide a uniform distribution of

carbon dioxide snow over a surface of the food products.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for

the present invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The

invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of

operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when

read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing an apparatus for cooling food products in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing a section of an element which is used for transferring of cold of carbon dioxide vapors to liquid carbon dioxide;

FIGS. 3a and 3b are a side view and a plan view of an apparatus in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4a and 4b are views showing connection of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention with a container for storing food

products;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a further modification of the apparatus in

accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 6a and 6b are a front view and a side view of a heat

exchanging element of the inventive apparatus;

FIGS. 7a and 7bare a side view and a front view of the heat

exchanging element of the inventive apparatus in accordance with a further

embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a view showing a still further modification of the heat

exchanging element of the inventive apparatus; FIG.9 is a schematic view showing another apparatus for cooling food

products;

FIG. 10 is a view showing an element in which cold of carbon dioxide

vapors produced during formation of snow is utilized for cooling the supply

of the liquid carbon dioxide, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a view showing a further modification of the element of FIG.

10;

FIG. 12a and 12b are perspective views of a container with the above

mentioned element and the element itself in accordance with a further

modification of the present invention;

FIGS. 13a and 13b are views showing a heat exchange element; FIGS. 14a, 14b, and 14c are a plan view, a side view and a fragment

of another modification of the inventive element;

FIGS. 15a an d15b are an end view and a side view of a distribution

line with nozzles for discharging liquid carbon dioxide, provided with the

inventive element;

FIG. 16 is a view showing a further apparatus for cooling food

products;

FIG. 17 is a view showing a modification of the apparatus of FIG. 16;

and FIG. 18 is a view showing still a further approach for cooling food

products;

FIG. 19 a and 19 b are a plain view, a side view showing main positions of the equipment at the charging terminal with stationary dispenser

and moving container,19 a - split units before coupling, 19 b - coupling and

charging;

FIGs. 20 a, and 20 b. are two main positions of the equipment for

suspended variant of movable supplying means with stationary container,

with 20 a - split before the coupling, and 20 b - during the coupling and

charging;

FIG. 21 a, 21 b and 21 c are views showing charging with retractable

telescopic bar-dispenser, with FIG. 21 a - split unit, FIG. 21 b - coupling for

charging, FIG. 21 c - design of retractable telescopic bar - dispenser; and FIG. 22 - shows variants of places for docking and coupling of the

chargers on a plain view.

Best Mode of Carrying out the Invention

An apparatus in accordance with the present invention shown in FIG.

1 is used for producing carbon dioxide snow in a container which is identified

with reference C and has a wall W. The apparatus has an inner tube 1

provided with an inner passage 2 and a plurality of longitudinal fins 3. An outertube 4 surrounds the inner tube 1 at a radial distance therefrom which

can be defined by the fins 3 and forms an outer passage 5. The passage 2

of the inner tube 1 can be characterized as a high pressure passage while

the passage 5 of the outer tube 4 can be characterized as a low pressure

passage. Both tubes have two portions 1' and 1", and 4' and 4" which extend substantially perpendicularly relative to one another and are

connected with one another by a connector 5. The lower end of the inner

tube 1 in the drawing is connected through a connector 6 with a hose 7

extending from a supply tank for supplying liquid carbon dioxide. The

horizontal portion 4" of the outer tube 4 extends through an inner opening of the wall W of the container C and can be sealed there by seals 8. The

horizontal portion 1" of the inner tube 1 extends further into the interior of the

container and is provided at its end with a nozzle 9. This end can be

mounted in an opening of a mount 10 of the container with interposition of

the sealing ring 11. A part of the portion 1" of the inner tube 1 can be

provided with a guide cone 12. Finally, a horn 13 can extend from the right

end of the inner tube portion 1" into a bunker 13.

In order to produce carbon dioxide snow in the container 1 , the

apparatus is inserted through the opening of the wall W of the container C

as shown in the drawings, and liquid carbon dioxide is supplied through the interior of the inner tube 1. It is charged with throttling through the nozzle 9 and produced carbon dioxide snow in the interior of the container so as to

cool food products accommodated in the container. During this process,

carbon dioxide vapors are produced. As identified with arrows 14 carbon

dioxide vapors move in the low pressure passage 5 between the outer tube

4 and the inner tube 1 under the action of high pressure during discharge of

the liquid carbon dioxide through the nozzle. The carbon dioxide vapors move in counterflow relative to the flow of liquid carbon dioxide and, cold of carbon dioxide vapors is transferred through the inner tube 1 to the liquid

carbon dioxide supplied through the passage 2 of the inner tube 1.

This process is facilitated by a plurality of fins provided on the inner

tube 1.

The inner tube 1 with the fins 3 can be formed as an extruded aluminum structure. As shown in FIG. 2, the fins can be formed by a plurality

of elements 3' arranged in a star-like manner around the inner tube 1 and

provided with a plurality of branches 3" so as to increase the heat transfer

surface between carbon dioxide vapors and the fins.

An apparatus shown in FIGS 3a and 3b, includes a plurality of extrusion aluminum tubes 21 provided with a plurality of fins and extending

between two collectors 22 and 26. The package of the tubes is

accommodated in a casing 23. An outer tube 24 is connectable by a flange

27 with a wall W of a container C. The upper collector 22 is connected with a pipe 28 provided with a nozzle 29 on its end. The apparatus further has a supporting frame 30 provided with a plurality of wheels 31. A fan 32

communicates with the interior of the casing 23. Liquid carbon dioxide is

supplied from a tank 25 into a lower collector 26 and then through the pipes

21 , the upper collector 22, the nozzle 29 into the container C.

It is believed that the operation of the apparatus of FIGS. 3a and 3b

is self-explanatory. The apparatus is moved toward the container 1 and its

flange 27 is connected with the container C or more particularly with its outer

flange 35 for example by bolts. Liquid carbon dioxide is discharged through the nozzle 29 into the interior of the container so as to form carbon dioxide

flow for cooling the food products. Carbon dioxide vapors move from the container into the interior of the outer pipe 24 under the action of the suction

of the fan 32 and pass between the aluminum tubes 21 and their fins so that

cold of carbon dioxide vapors is transferred to liquid carbon dioxide. Then

the vapors can be liquefied and supplied through a passage 23 further into

the tank 25. The fan 23 can be used for intensification of movement of

carbon dioxide vapors from the container with low excessive pressure inside.

As shown in FIG. 3c, nozzles 39 can be arranged on a dispenser 40 located

inside the container C. In this case the pipe is releasably connected with the

dispenser 40. As can be seen from FIGS.4a and 4b, the apparatus can be provided

with arms 35 having lateral cross rods 36 which connect the free ends of the

arms, while matching arm brackets 37 with slots 38 can be provided on upper edges of the arms mounted on the container above its opening. For

installation, the heat exchanger block is displaced upwardly in guides G of the frame 30, then the apparatus is moved toward the container C until the

cross rod 36 is positioned about the slot 38, and the block B is lowered to

pivotally engage the rod 36 into the slot 38. The thusly suspended system

can turn under the action of its weight around the rod, and the flange of the system is tightly pressed against the flange of the container.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 a tube 41 for supplying liquid

carbon dioxide extends through a heat exchanging element 42 provided with

a plurality of coiled tubes 43 with fins spaced from one another by spaces 44.

A low pressure channel 55 is formed between an outer casing and the coil

tubes. The element 42, 43, 44 is mounted in an inner opening of the wall 2 of the container 1 by a mounting flange 46. The apparatus is provided with

a guide cone 47. A nozzle 48 is arranged on the end of the tube 41 and

associated with a horn 49. The nozzle is fixed inside the horn, while the

element 42, 43, 44 provides for a possibility to adjust the position of the nozzle 48 before supplying a liquid carbon dioxide, or to change the position

during the supply to provide uniform distribution of carbon dioxide snow in the container, because the element 42, 43, 44 is arranged movably in its

axial direction in the opening of the wall 2 of the container.

In accordance with a further feature of the inventive apparatus, snow

flakes produced during the operation are filtered from carbon dioxide vapors

which are utilized for additional cooling of the supplied carbon dioxide. As

shown in FIG. 6a, 6b the heat exchanging element shown here has a pipe 51 for supplying liquid carbon dioxide, which is finned with a metal wire net

or mesh 52. In installed position, the net or mesh 52 is arranged transverse

to the flow of carbon dioxide vapors. The net or mesh 52 is formed so that

it is permeable for carbon dioxide vapors, but snow flakes of carbon dioxide are retained and precipitate on the net or mesh. Such a heat exchanging

element can be installed for example in the inlet opening 13 of the container

so that the net or mesh 52 overlaps the inlet opening. After the precipitation

the snow flakes are sublimated, returning the refrigeration to liquid carbon

dioxide through the high heat conductive mesh 52, so that the mesh

simultaneously performs the double function of being a filter element and an

efficient heat exchanger.

In accordance with another embodiment shown in FIGS. 7a, 7b the

heat exchanging element has a pipe 53 with a plurality of longitudinally

extending fins 54 arranged in a star-like manner. It is arranged in a casing

55. Wire nets are soldered or welded to support edges of the fins 54 to provide a reliable mechanical connection and a low contact thermal

resistance of the connection between the supporting elements and main filtering elements. The heat exchanging element can also be provided with

an elastic sealant 56 of the vapor flow. FIG. 8 shows another heat exchanging element with separation of

snow flakes from the vapor stream. Heat exchanging elements 57 are

arranged in a casing 58 which is open at both ends to the vapor flow.

Screens-deflectors 59 of the vapor flow are installed on the opening 60 in the

casing 58 to separate parts of dry ice which move with a high speed with the

vapor stream, carrying out the snow flakes. Sharp change of the direction

of stream speed vector provides effective separation of solid particles having

high density from the stream. The best effect is obtained when the screens are arranged under angles 20° - 60° to the main direction of the stream

inside or outside of the container.

An apparatus shown in FIG. 9 in accordance with the present

invention has a heat insulated storage container which is identified with

reference numeral 101 and utilized for storing food products 102 in a

refrigerated condition for stationary storage or for transportation. The

apparatus has an isothermal tank 103 with liquid carbon dioxide. The liquid

carbon dioxide is supplied through a meandering line 104 into the inner space of the container 101 and discharged into the interior of the container through a plurality of nozzles 105 so as to form carbon dioxide snow 106

which covers the food product 102 and to keep it refrigerated. At the same

time, carbon dioxide vapors are formed in the interior of the container 101.

In accordance with the present invention, the carbon dioxide vapors

identified with reference numeral 107 are directed so as to bring them into contact with the supply line 104 for supplying liquid carbon dioxide so that

the cold of the carbon dioxide vapors is utilized for cooling the liquid carbon dioxide.

FIG. 9 shows several embodiments of an element which provides the

utilization of cold of evacuating carbon dioxide vapors for overcooling of the

supplied liquid carbon dioxide. One of such elements is arranged in the

region between the tank 103 and the inner opening of the container 101. It

has an outer tube 108, and a portion 104a of the liquid carbon dioxide supply

line located in the outer tube 108 and preferably provided with a plurality of

ribs. The liquid carbon dioxide is supplied from a tank 101 toward the

container in the interior of the portion 104a of the supply line 104, while

carbon dioxide vapors are supplied in an opposite direction from the container 101 inside the pipe 108 over the portion 104a of the liquid carbon

dioxide supply line. Then the carbon dioxide vapors are withdrawn through

a line 109 into a gas vessel 110 and supplied by a compressor 111 into a liquefying vessel 112 in which they are liquefied and the liquid carbon dioxide

is supplied to the tank 103.

Another heat exchanging element is formed in an inlet opening of the

container 101. In particular, a finned portion 104b of the liquid carbon

dioxide supply line 104 is located inside the inlet opening 113 and supplies the liquid carbon dioxide into the container while the carbon dioxide vapors

107 pass in an opposite direction between an inner wall of the inlet opening

113 and the outer surface of the portion 4b to thereafter flow into the pipe

108 again. A further heat exchanging element is formed in a space between

a side wall 114 of the container 101 and a partition 115 of the inner space of

the container. Liquid carbon dioxide passes through a finned portion 104c

ofthe liquid carbon dioxide supply line 104, while carbon dioxide vapors flow

in the space between the portion 104b on the one hand, and the side wall

114 and the partition 115 of the container 101 on the other hand, to further

flow through the opening 113 into the pipe 108.

Still another heat exchanging element is formed in the area which is

close to a ceiling 116 of the container 101. Liquid carbon dioxide flows

through a portion 104d ofthe liquid carbon dioxide supply line 4 while carbon

dioxide vapors 107 flow into a pipe 117 which surrounds the portion 104d

and further through the pipe 117 in the opposite direction. Finally, the heat

exchanging element can be also located in the area of a floor 117 of the container 101. Here again the liquid carbon dioxide flows through a portion

104e of the liquid carbon dioxide supply line 104 while the carbon dioxide vapors flow around the portion 104a in an opposite direction in the region of

the floor 117, preferably through beams arranged on the floor. It is to be understood that in all embodiment of the heat exchanging elements which

include the portions 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d, 104e of the liquid carbon

dioxide supply line, the carbon dioxide vapors are preferably evacuated from

the container 101 and then liquefied so that the liquid carbon dioxide is

supplied again into the tank 103. It is also to be understood that it is not

necessary to provide the heat exchanging elements associated with all

portions 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d, 104e. It is possible to provide in the inventive apparatus only one or more heat exchanging elements from those

shown in the drawings and described hereinabove. Movement ofthe carbon

dioxide vapor flow is provided due to pressure difference generated inside

the container 1 during conversion of the liquid carbon dioxide due to its

throttling with high pressure inside the container. The flow of the carbon

dioxide vapors also carries snow flakes which additionally cool the supplied

liquid carbon dioxide.

FIG. 10 shows one of the heat exchanging elements in accordance

with the present invention. It has an upper collector 121 connected with a dispensing portion 122 of the liquid carbon dioxide supply line provided with a plurality of nozzles. A plurality of extruded ribbed tubes 123 connect the

upper collector 121 with the lower connector 122, which in turn is connected

with an inlet portion 125 of liquid carbon dioxide supply line 104. A casing 126 surrounds the extrusion pipes 123 and is mounted on the wall 1143 of

the container 102. The upper end of the casing 126 is open into the interior

of the container 101 , while the lower end of the casing is open into the inlet

opening 113 of the container. The carbon dioxide vapors flow through the

inner space ofthe casing to cool the supplied liquid carbon dioxide and then leave the container through the opening 113. The carbon dioxide vapors and

the liquid carbon dioxide moving in opposite directions provide for conditions for efficient cooling of liquid carbon dioxide by carbon dioxide vapors.

In the embodiment of FIG. 11 in contrast to the embodiment of FIG.

10, the casing 126' is connected with the opening 13 in the wall 14 of the

container 101 through a middle part. Both ends of the casing 126' are open

into the interior of the container 101. Fins 127 of the extrusion pipes 123'

can be interrupted in the area of their connection to the opening 113 for

improved distribution vapor flow in this embodiment enters the heat exchanging element through both ends of the casing 126', and

corresponding halves of the full flow move toward each other to the center

of the element, and after uniting in the center leave through the opening 113 again with a full flow rate. Such a path provides the lowest hydraulic

pressure resistance to the vapor flow, and therefore the lowest level of

redundant pressure in the space of the container 101 during charging. Another advantage of this embodiment is that the opposite direction of speed

vectors of the vapor flow halves in the heat exchanging element helps to separate the snow flakes from the vapor flow due to sharp changes of the

speed so that precipitation is facilitated after colliding of the vapor streams.

FIGS. 12a and 12b show a food container with the floor 18 provided

with a plurality of extruded T-beam elements. As can be seen fro the

drawings, the T-beams are provided with a plurality of passages 128 which

form a portion 104e of the liquid carbon dioxide supply line. Liquid carbon

dioxide is supplied through the passages 128 at high pressure. It is not to

be understood that liquid carbon dioxide is supplied into the passages 128 from another portion of the liquid carbon dioxide supply line 104. Carbon

dioxide vapors flow between the T beams in an opposite direction so as to provide additional cooling of the liquid carbon dioxide. In this embodiment

the cold of the carbon dioxide vapors is utilized for cooling the liquid carbon

dioxide by means of the T-beam shaped floor which operates a heat

exchanger.

FIGS. 13a and 13b show a further modification of a heat exchanging

element with which the supplied liquid carbon dioxide is cooled by carbon dioxide vapors. The heat exchanging element has bent plain or finned tubes

131 which form flat coil panels 132, which are connected with collectors 133

and 134. The collector 133 is arranged near the opening 113 of the container 101. The package of the coils-panels is placed in a casing 135.

The coils are connected to the collectors at different distances. Therefore

the distance between the panels increases from the opening in the wall

toward a free section which is open into the interior of the container. The

cross-section of the vapor flow reduces while moving from the container

between the coil panels toward the opening, and at the same time the speed

and heat transfer intensity increases. Such a design of the heat exchanging element and flow speed provides the maximum efficiency of the heat transfer

with the lowest specific hydraulic resistance to the vapor flow. In the shown

embodiment reference numeral 136 identifies a feeding pipe, reference

numeral 137 identifies a pipe connector to a dispensing pipe with nozzles

and reference numeral 138 identifies a frame of the package of coils.

The heat exchanging element shown in FIGS. 14a-14c is designed

substantially similarly, but is based on solid coil-panels which are formed as

hollow, stamped elements and then welded metal sheets. Each heat

exchanging element has a plurality of tubular channels identified with 141

connected with one another by a metal sheet support. The channels 141 communicate with one another and ultimately with an inlet tube 143 and an

outlet tube 144.

FIG. 15 shows a distribution part of the liquid carbon dioxide supply

line 104. It has an internal tube 145 through which liquid carbon dioxide

flows. The interior of the internal tube 145 communicates with the interior of

the relative nozzles 105. The internal tube 145 is provided with a plurality of

longitudinal fins 146 which simultaneously form spacers. The internal tube

145 with the fins 146 is surrounded by external tube 147. The external tube 147 is provided with a plurality of perforations 148. During the operation

liquid carbon dioxide is supplied through the interior of the internal tube 145 and is throttled through the nozzles 105 into the interior of the container, it

undergoes conversion, dry ice precipitates in the container, while carbon

dioxide vapors pass through the perforations 148 into a low pressure

passage 149 formed between the interior tube 145 and the exterior tube 147.

An apparatus shown in FIG. 16 is used for cooling food products

stored in a container which is identified as a whole with reference numeral

151 and for charging of the container with cold accumulated refrigerant (solid

carbon dioxide). The apparatus includes a supply pipe 152 having one end

connected with a not shown tank which accommodates liquid carbon dioxide.

The supply pipe 152 extends into the interior of the container 151 and is connected with a distributor pipe 153. A plurality of nozzles 154 are mounted on the distributor pipe 153 at opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the distributor pipe.

Each nozzle 154 has a first inlet tubular portion 155 which communicates with the interior of the distributor pipe 153. Each nozzle

further has a second tubular outlet portion 156 which communicates with the

interior of the first tubular portion 155 and is provided with two open ends 157. As can be seen from the drawings, one group of the nozzles 154 is

located at one longitudinal side of the distributor pipe 153, while the other

group of the nozzles 154 is located on the other side of the longitudinal axis

of the distributor pipe 153. The inlet portions 155 of the nozzle 154 extend substantially perpendicular to the distributor pipe 153, while the outlet portion

156 of the nozzle 154 extends substantially parallel to the distributor pipe

153.

As can be seen from the drawings, the outlet ends 157 of two

neighboring nozzles 154 are arranged so that they face one another.

Therefore the jets of liquid carbon dioxide ejected from two neighboring

nozzles 154 are directed substantially parallel to the distributor pipe 153 and

toward one another so as to collide substantially between the two neighboring nozzles 154. Thereby carbon dioxide snow is produced and

distributed over a food product stored in the container 151. When the apparatus is designed in accordance with the present

invention with the nozzles arranged as shown in the drawings, it provides for

highly advantageous results. The apparatus is less material consuming since the number of pipes is reduced. It concentrates cold in the areas

where it is actually needed for cooling the food products.

In accordance with further embodiments it is possible to provide in

each end of the nozzles several discharge openings 157 as shown in FIG. 17. The outlet portions of the nozzles must not extend parallel to the

distributor pipe, but can be inclined at certain angles relative to it.

An apparatus shown in FIG. 18 is used for cooling food products accommodated in a container 161 and for uniform distribution of dry ice

during the charging of the container. The apparatus has a tank 162 with

liquid carbon dioxide which is supplied through lines 163 and 163' and inner

pipes 146 and 164' to two nozzles 165 and 165'. The nozzles are associated

with guide cones 166 and horns 167. Outer pipes 9 and 169' surround inner

pipes 164 and 164' and extend through corresponding openings in the walls

ofthe container 161. A tray 170 is mounted by supports 171 on the ceiling

of the container.

During the operation of the apparatus, carbon dioxide is supplied

through the lines 163, 163' and inner pipes 164 and 164' to the nozzles and

discharged through the nozzles 165 and 165' by jets directed toward one another. As a result, carbon dioxide snow is produced for cooling the food

products accommodated in the container so as to refrigerate the food

products. Carbon dioxide vapors produced during this process move

through a space between the outer tubes 169, 169' and inner tubes 164 and 164' and give its cold to liquid carbon dioxide supplied through the inner

tubes 164, 164'. Then the carbon dioxide vapors are returned in liquefied state to the tank 162.

In accordance with the present invention, means are provided for

adjusting a distribution of carbon dioxide snow in the interior of the container relative to the food product. The adjusting means include a control device which is identified as a whole with reference numeral 172. In accordance

with one embodiment, the control device 172 is connected with adjustable

valves 173 and 173' provided in the lines 163 and 163'. In this construction

the control device 172 adjusts the supply of liquid carbon dioxide to the

nozzles 165 and 165. In particular, the supply of the liquid carbon dioxide to one nozzle can be different from the supply of liquid carbon dioxide to the

other nozzle. This can be achieved by changing the cross-section of a corresponding passages in the valve 173 and 173'. It is advisable to adjust

the supplies so that one of the nozzles discharges the maximum quantity of

carbon dioxide. At the same time the total supply of carbon dioxide through both nozzles can be constant. In this situation a point of colliding of the two jets of carbon dioxide is offset toward the nozzle which has a lower jet speed,

maximum precipitation of carbon dioxide snow is provided in this area.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the

control device 172 provides signals to the nozzles 165 and 165' through

signal lines 174 and 174' so as to change a through flow cross-section of the

nozzles and therefore a cross-section of carbon dioxide jets discharged from the nozzles with corresponding change of their kinetic energies. The mass

flow of the carbon dioxide remains the same, and at the same time, similarly

to the first embodiment, the colliding point is displaced toward the nozzle with

lower jet speed.

In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention,

the control device 172 is connected with executing devices 175 and 175' with oscillate the nozzles 165 and 165' in a horizontal plane. The discharge flow

and speed can be the same for both nozzles. In this embodiment the colliding point oscillates over the food product and uniformly covers its

surface.

In accordance with still another feature of the present invention the

control device 172 is connected with executing devices 176 and 176' which

activate corresponding parts of the nozzles 165 and 165' so that the nozzles

impart oscillation to liquid carbon dioxide jets in direction of movement. In

other words, the jets are subdivided into portions of higher and lower density and higher and lower specific kinetic energy. It also provides adjustment of the jets and therefore uniform distribution of carbon dioxide snow over the

surface of the food products.

Also, it is possible to connected the control device 162 with the

executing devices which provide rotatable oscillation of the nozzles around

a vertical axis.

The apparatus, shown in figure Fig. 19 a and 19 b is for supplying liquid carbon dioxide from external tank, 1 into movable container. 2 through

the static stationary charger - dispenser. 3 horizontal console bar of the

charger - dispenser 3 is installed on the stand 4 at the level of the opening

of the wall 6 of the container 2. The withdrawing means for removing the exhaust vapor during the charging duct 7 is also installed on the stand, 4.

Charging unit 8 combines unit dispenser 3, withdraw duct 7, and stand 4.

Container 2 and charging unit 8 are split apart before the charging process

( see Fig. 19 a.). The charging unit 8 is maintained on the way of the

container 2 or rail car. For charging container 2 is moving onto the charger

8. Dispenser 3 inserts into the opening 5 and with withdrawing means 7

provide docking, coupling to the container and seal ofthe temporary junction

container - charger, as shown in Fig. 19b. After these operations a supply

of liquid C02 and charging itself will start. Apparatus shown in Figs.20a and 20b is for supplying of liquid carbon dioxide for external tank 1 into stationary container 2. Dispenser 3 of the

external charging unit 8 is active, movable. Dispenser 3 is installed on movable wheel rail truck 9. Rails 10 are installed on the upper level of the

container 2 to bring the horizontal charger-dispenser 3 and to insert it

through the opening 5 into the internal space of the container 2 and to

provide coupling of the means withdrawing exhaust vapor with the container 7 through the opening 5. The tubular horizontal console bar-dispenser (liquid

carbon dioxide supplying means) passes through the rear wall of the duct 7

(withdrawing means) through the seal 11 , preventing leakage of the vapor

into atmosphere. Limit of travel distance of the dispenser 3 inside the

container 2 is equal to the internal end 12 of the dispenser 3 is connected to storage of liquid C02, through system of pipes 13 and flexible hose 14.

Rolls 15 installed under the ceiling of the container 2 provide support of the

long console bar of the dispenser 3 in horizontal position with minimum

deflection during the charging.

Figs. 21a, 21b and 21c show another embodiment of charging

terminals with movable telescopic dispenser-bar. This system combines advantages of both described before systems with stationary container 2

(Figs. 20a and 20b) and with stationary dispenser 3 (Figs. 19a, 19b).

External tubular part 21 is a casing of the dispenser 3, stationary installed with another major part of the charging unit - withdrawing duct, 7. These

parts are maintained on special supporting basis stand 4. In Fig.21c internal

tubular part 22 installed inside the external casing 21 has are installed

between the surfaces of the tubular parts 22 and 23 of the telescopic bar-

dispenser to provide the best relative sliding between the surfaces of the tubular parts of telescopic bar for extending and for retracting to compact

start position of the bar. Collar bushes 25 are installed on the ends of the parts of the telescopic bar-dispenser to provide limitations of the travel during

the extending of dispenser. During extending internal sliding bushes 24 rest again the collar bushes 25 and provide durable and rigid structure of telescopic bar-dispenser 3. The external tubular body 21 of the dispenser

3 is supplied with heat insulation 26 and is connected to the external supplier

of liquid C02. After the coupling between the withdrawing mean - duct 7 and

container 2 internal tubular parts 22 extend into the internal space of

container 2 under internal pressure of the supplied liquid C02 (pressure inside the dispenser 3 is 1-3 MPa). Internal tubing elements 22 work like

pistons, and power of pressure provides extending of the telescopic

dispenser 3. Axial pressure force is equal to 100-500 kg.

After the docking, coupling and extending of dispenser 3 into the

internal space of the container 2, liquid C02 passes from tank 1 through the supplying line 13 through the external tubular part 21 to the internal tubes 22 of the dispenser 3, further through the hole 23, in the walls of the dispenser

3, into the internal space of the container 2. Exhaust C02 vapor evacuate through the withdrawing duct 7 to the liquefaction unit 27. After the charging

all the operations passing in the reverse sequence: retract of the dispenser

3, uncoupling, split and removing of the container 2, and charging unit 8.

Retractable dispenser can contain one or few internal movable tubular parts 23. Design with one movable part 23 is the most simple, but requires large

working areas for installation and operations. Design with few movable

telescopic tubular parts gives possibility to make the retracted dispenser

more compact. Reduction of the length of the external tubular body also

reduces heating from surroundings, but design of the dispenser is more complicated. Extending of the dispenser can be provided mainly by means

of internal pressure of liquid C02. Retracting can be provided by means of extended springs 28 inserted inside the tubular space of the telescopic canal

of the dispenser 3 or by mechanical drawing links with additional moto-

operated drive outside the container. The described means provide quick

and easy cooling of container and charging with solid C02 and can be

utilized for other types of refrigerants, for example, for liquid nitrogen.

Fig. 22 shows variants of installation of external means for charging

of containers a,b - location at the ends of the container, inserting and travel

of dispensers along the containers; b,c,d - locations at the sides of the containers, inserting of dispensers across the container. Selecting of a scheme can be adjusted to various circumstances: dimensions of container,

weight and distribution of solid carbon dioxide in the container, desirable optimum rate of charging, etc.

It is to be understood that the above specified several embodiments

can be combined, so that the adjustment of the distribution of the carbon

dioxide snow can be provided by two or more solutions or embodiments.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or

two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of

methods and constructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied

in a method of and apparatus for cooling for products, it is not intended to be

limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural

changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the

present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe

present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the

standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic

or specific aspects of this invention. What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent

set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. An apparatus for cooling food products in a container having an opening,

the apparatus comprising means for supplying liquid carbon dioxide in the

interior of the container so as to form carbon dioxide snow in the container with simultaneous generation of carbon dioxide vapors; means for withdrawing the carbon dioxide vapors in the vicinity of said supplying means

so that cold from the withdrawn carbon dioxide vapors is transmitted to liquid

carbon dioxide supplied by said supplying means, said supplying and

withdrawing means being movable between an inoperative position in which said supplying and withdrawing means are located outside the opening ofthe

container and outside of the container and an operative position in which

said supplying and withdrawing means are arranged adjacent to the opening

of the container; and sealing means arranged so that when said supplying

and withdrawing means have reached said operative position, said sealing

means provide self-sealing of the opening of the container.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 ; and further comprising means for

connection of said supplying means and said withdrawing means to the

container so as to provide supplying of liquid carbon dioxide through said supplying means into the container and withdrawal of carbon dioxide vapors

form the container into and through the said withdrawing means.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein said supplying means is

displaceable relative to the container so as to adjust a position of a discharge

point of liquid carbon dioxide from said supplying means in the container and

therefore to adjust distribution of carbon dioxide snow in the interior of the

container.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 ; and further comprising means for

moving said supplying means relative to the container and including a frame

supporting said supplying means and provided with a plurality of wheels.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 ; and further comprising liquid dioxide

discharging means located inside the container, said liquid dioxide supplying

means being releasably connectable with said liquid carbon dioxide

discharging means.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 ; and further comprising means for

mounting said supplying means on the container releasably and pivotally around a horizontal axis so as to provide a tight abutment of said supplying

means against the container.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein said supplying means are

located inside said withdrawing means, said sealing means being arranged

on said withdrawing means.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein supplying means and said withdrawing means are both insertable into the interior of the container

through the opening of the container.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein said supplying means are

arranged inside said withdrawing means and are longer than said

withdrawing means, so that in said operative position said supplying means

extend into the interior of the container while said withdrawing means is

located outside of the container in the region of the opening container.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 ; and further comprising means for

moving carbon dioxide vapors in the vicinity of said supplying in said

container so that cold of carbon dioxide vapors is transferred to the supplied

liquid carbon dioxide in said container.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 10; and further comprising means for

withdrawing carbon dioxide vapors from the container, liquefying the

withdrawn carbon dioxide vapors and introducing the liquefied carbon dioxide vapor into said supplying means of liquid carbon dioxide.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said supplying means

include a source of liquid carbon dioxide, and an exterior supply line

extending from said source to said container, said moving means being arranged so that carbon dioxide vapors move near said exterior supply line

so as to transfer cold of carbon dioxide vapors to liquid carbon dioxide in said

exterior supply line.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said container has an inlet

opening through which said supply means introduce liquid carbon dioxide

into the interior of the container, said moving means being formed so that

carbon dioxide vapors move in the said inlet opening so that cold of carbon

dioxide vapors is transferred to liquid carbon dioxide in said inlet opening of

said container.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said container has a

plurality of walls, said supplying means being formed so that liquid carbon dioxide is moved in the vicinity of at least one of said walls, said moving means being formed so that carbon dioxide vapors move in the vicinity of

said at least one wall so that cold of carbon dioxide vapors is transferred to

liquid carbon dioxide in the vicinity of said at least one wall.

15. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said container has a floor

including a plurality of floor elements which are spaced from one another and

provided with channels, said supplying means being arranged sot hat liquid

carbon dioxide is supplied through said channels of said floor elements, said moving means being formed so that carbon dioxide vapors move between

said floor elements so that cold of carbon dioxide is transferred to liquid

carbon dioxide through said floor elements.

16. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said supplying means

include a plurality of pipes which form panels arranged so that said panels

are spaced from one another by smaller distances at one end and are

spaced from one another by greater distances at another end and liquid

carbon dioxide flows from said one end to said another end.

17. An apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said supplying means

include tubular means for supplying liquid carbon dioxide snow from carbon dioxide vapors during movement of carbon dioxide vapors and further

sublimating the separated carbon dioxide snow.

18. An apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein said supplying means

include tubular means for supplying liquid carbon dioxide inside said tubular

means, said separating means include net-like means arranged on said tubular means and formed so that carbon dioxide vapors can pass through

said net-like means while carbon dioxide snow is retained by said net-like means and be submitted by the supplied liquid carbon dioxide.

19. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein said supplying means include a tubular pipe adapted to extend in an interior of the container so as

to supply liquid carbon dioxide; and a plurality of nozzles arranged on said

distributor pipe to discharge the liquid carbon dioxide from the distributor

pipe, said nozzles being arranged so that jets of liquid carbon dioxide ejected

by said nozzles extend substantially along a longitudinal axis of said

distributor pipe and toward one another to collie substantially between said

nozzles, each of said nozzles having a first inlet portion arranged

substantially perpendicular to said distributor pipe and communicating with

an interior of said distributor pipe, and second outlet portion communicating

with an interior of said first portion and extending substantially parallel to said distributor pipe, said outlet portion having two open ends spaces from one

another in a longitudinal direction of said longitudinal pipes.

20. An apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein said nozzles include one

group of nozzles located on one of side of a longitudinal axis of said

distributor pipe and another group of nozzles arranged at another side of

said longitudinal axis of said distributor pipe.

21. An arrangement as defined in claim 19, wherein each of said nozzles

has a first inlet portion arranged substantially perpendicular to said distributor

pipe and communicating with an interior of said distributor pipe, and second outlet portion communicating with an interior of said first portion and

extending substantially parallel to said distributor pipe, said outlet portion

having two open ends spaced from one another in a longitudinal direction of

said longitudinal pipes.

22. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 ; and further comprising at least two

nozzles connected with said supplying means and discharging liquid carbon

dioxide in two jets directed toward and collide with one another so as to

produce carbon dioxide snow; and means for adjusting the jets of said nozzles so as to displace a point of colliding the jets with one another and to thereby to provide a uniform distribution of carbon dioxide snow in the container.

23. An apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein said adjusting means

include means for changing a supply liquid through one of said nozzles so

that a greater discharge of liquid carbon dioxide is provided, while through

the other of said nozzles a smaller discharge of Ii9quid carbon dioxide is

provided.

24. An apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein said adjusting means include means for changing a throughflow cross-section of said nozzles so

as to dispense the point of colliding of the jets discharged from said nozzles toward one of said nozzles having reduced speed and kinetic energy of the

jet.

25. An apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein said adjusting means

include means for rotatably oscillating said nozzles about a vertical axis.

26. An apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein said adjusting means

include means for discharging the jets from said nozzles with alternating

frequencies.

27. An apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein said adjusting means

include means for oscillating said nozzles in a horizontal plane.

28. An apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein said adjusting means

include with which said nozzles impart to the jets oscillation in a direction of

movement of the jets.

29. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; and further comprising means for docking said supplying means relative to the container and coupling said means to the container and including a suspension carrying said means with

possibility of movement and coupling with the container.

30. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 ; and further comprising means for

docking said supplying means relative to the container and including a

suspension carriage, said carriage is a wheel truck installed at an upper level

of the container with possibilities of moving the supplying means in direction of the container, coupling a charger to the opening ofthe container, docking,

coupling, sealing and locking of the charger to the container and after finishing the charging further in a reverse sequence split, unlocking,

unsealing and removing of the supplying means from the container.

31. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein said supplying means

include longitudinal tubing means with discharging openings, and connected

to storage of the cooling cryogen products.

32. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein supplying means are installed motionless, and the container can move relatively said supplying

means for docking, coupling of said supplying means and container for

charging and to provide uniform distribution of solid carbon dioxide.

33. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the container is installed

motionless and the supplying means have possibility of reciprocation for

charging.

34. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein dispenser is a telescopic

tubing bar extending during charging and telescopically retracting after the

charging.

35. An apparatus as defined in claim 34 wherein an external tubular part of

telescopic dispenser is a pressure cylinder, connected to a source of high

pressure liquid C02, internal tubular parts are sequential pistons,

communicated with internal volume of container, said moving parts are connected by extend spring or by link with a mechanical drive for retracting

the dispenser between charging modes.

36. A method of cooling food products in a container having an opening, the

method comprising the steps of supplying liquid carbon dioxide in the interior

of the container so as to form carbon dioxide snow in the container with

simultaneous generation of carbon dioxide vapors; withdrawing the carbon

dioxide vapors from the container and moving the withdrawn carbon dioxide vapors in the vicinity of said supplying means so that cold from the withdrawn

carbon dioxide vapors is transmitted to liquid carbon dioxide supplied by the

supplying means; moving supplying and withdrawing means between an

inoperative position in which they are located outside the opening of the container and outside of the container and an operative position in which

they are arranged adjacent to the opening of the container; and sealing the

opening of the container when the supplying and withdrawing have reached

the operative position.

37. A method as defined in claim 29; and further comprising the steps of

discharging liquid carbon dioxide in the interior of the container by at least

two nozzles which are arranged so that jets of liquid carbon dioxide

discharge from the nozzles are directed toward and collide with one another; and periodically adjusting the jets relative to one another so as to displace

a point of colliding the jets with one another and to thereby provide a

substantial uniform distribution of carbon dioxide snow in the container.

38. A method as defined in claim 21 ; and further comprising discharging the

liquid carbon dioxide from a distributor pipe through a plurality of nozzles;

and arranging the nozzles on the distributor pipe so that jets of liquid carbon

dioxide ejected by the nozzles extend substantially along a longitudinal axis of the distributor pipe and toward one another to collide substantially

between two neighboring ones of the nozzles.