Michael D Mcgee

US Patent:

7370436, May 13, 2008

Filed:

Jul 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/483454

Inventors:

Ricardo Francisco Auer - Buenos Aires, AR
Julian Diego Roberts - 3 D (1014), Buenos Aires, AR
Michael Louis McGee - Miami FL, US
Mitsuru Masuda - Ichikawa, JP

International Classification:

F26B 5/04

US Classification:

34403, 34284, 34287, 34402

Abstract:

An apparatus capable of performing consecutively, independently and/or simultaneously the processes of quick freezing and/or freeze drying of produce. The apparatus is characterized by a central vacuum system operating over one or more independent vacuum chambers (); said vacuum system being composed of at least two vacuum subsystems (), connected to the chambers by means of independent manifolds (). One vacuum subsystem () evacuates air from any of the chambers from atmospheric pressure to a pressure slightly above that of the triple point of water, and the other vacuum subsystem () further quickly evacuates any of the chambers from said pressure slightly above the triple point of water to the pressure corresponding to the thermodynamic equilibrium of ice and water vapor at a desired freezing temperature, in a desired freezing time.