Importance

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Abstract

A chiller which subjects a food product flow to a continuous controlled cooling treatment with water includes a tank with an inlet end and a discharge end, an auger having flights mounted rotatably within the tank, a perforate cylinder mounted within the tank around the auger to substantially contain the auger and food product while allowing water within the tank to pass in and out of the cylinder, and a plurality of baffles which each extend substantially radially inwardly from the perforate cylinder between two adjacent flights of the auger. When the auger and cylinder rotate, the baffles agitate the water and food product by carrying the food product sidewardly and upwardly out of the water, and then allow the food product to tumble back into the water. Additionally, the chiller preferably include two air manifolds mounted within the tank below the intended water level 42 outside the cylinder along its entire length. The air manifolds are positioned to agitate the food product and water within the perforate cylinder and to create a circulation of water between the perforate cylinder and tank so that the warmer water within the cylinder is constantly being replaced and cooled. The food product and cooling water preferably flow in generally opposite directions, thereby allowing an efficient heat exchange between the food product and water.

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First Claim