CA1168005A - Frame for freezing fish - Google Patents

Abstract

FRAME FOR FREEZING FISH
Abstract of the Disclosure A fish freezing frame has a bottom and upwardly extending, outwardly tapering side walls to provide a lifting tendency as a result of the differential expansion of the freezer frame and the fish block therein. The side walls and the bottom of the frame are extruded in one piece with the end walls being welded to the bottom and the side walls.
Apparatus is also provided for ejecting the frozen fish block from the freezer frame. In one embodiment this apparatus includes a supported table having an opening in its top surface which corresponds to the area of the frozen fish block. A
reciprocal press is positioned over the opening with means mounted on the table for supporting the press and means are provided for lowering the press onto an upturned freezer frame to deflect the bottom wall thereof so that the frozen fish block is ejected from the frame. In another embodiment, the frozen block of produce is ejected using air pressure only.

Description

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BACXGROUND OF ~HE INVENTION
T~is application relates to the freezing of fish into ~locks and in particular to a pan or frame in which fish are packed and frozen as well as to means ~or ejecting a frozen block of fish ~rom the ~rame.
There are many current methods of freezing fish. Large and increas~ng tonnages of ~ish must be qu;ckly converted to the frozen state for sale either directly to a consumer market .~ .
or to pro~essors who convert the frozen product into various forms for su~sequent, consumer use. One sector of this market which ser~es as a primary product to processors is frozen fish blocks and these are generally made up in sixteen and a half to eighteen and a half pound rectangular blocks. The blocks are manufactured to predetermined rectangular sîzes and thicknesses and to predetermined weights.
Fish processors gear their process of cutting of blocks to the specified dimensions and depend upon the manufactured block being supplied consistently to the specified dimensions for efficient yields and profitability. If the frozen blocks coming from the manufacturer vary from the processor's specifications, it is not uncommon for losses of up to six percent to occur. Accordingly, the increased value of the fish blocks has led to greater insistence on adherence to specifications to avoid such losses.
Conventionally, frozen fish blocks have been manufactured by filling aluminium pans with fish and then ~reezing them in plate type pressure freezers. These conventional pans, fabricated from aluminium plate, are subjected to abuse during processing and can only hold their dimensional sta~ility for a very short period of time. This results in the ~locks in the pans being formed outs~de of the 1~68~0S

specifications mentioned above. Efficiency drops and losses occur. Furthermore, it is difficult to remove the frozen blocks of fish from convent;onal pans.
SUMMARY OE` THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a design of a fish freezing frame which is unique in its method of manufacture and in its structure and it provides dimensional stability to retain consistent specified dimensions to the frozen fish ~locks; an economic life due to its structural superiority over conventional frames; and easy removal of the frozen block from the frame after freezing.
The freezer frame is manufactured from extruded aluminium and due to the configuration of the side walls and floor of the freezer frame and the characteristics of contracting metal when cooled together with the expansion of the moisture content o~ the fish frozen in the frame, a self ejection tendency is provided when the pressure is released subsequent to freezing. ~pparatus is also disclosed for ejecting the frozen block from the freezer frame and this consists of a manually or automatically operated press which receives an inverted freezer frame with a frozen block of fish therein and, when actuated, applies an external force to the ~ottom of the frame to deflect the bottom without subjecting the frame to permanent distortion.
According to one broad aspect the invention relates to a ish freezing frame comprising a bottom and upwardly extending side and end walls. At least one parallel pair of the walls are extruded integrally with the ~ottom and longitudinally extending, outwardly directed flanges are provîded on the top and ~ottom edges of the side and end walls.
The side walls are tapered outwardly from the ~ottoms to the _ _ . _, ..... ..... .

tops thereof.
In accordance with another aspect, the invention relates to a fish product freezing frame comprising a bottom and upwardly extending side and end walls; at least one parallel pair of said walls being extruded integrally with said bottom; longitudinally extending outwardly directed flanges on the top and bottom edges of said side and end walls, said side walls being tapered outwardly from the bottoms to the tops thereof; and a plurality of apertures in the bottom of said frame to allow the ingress of air into the bottom of the frame for ejecting a block of product ~herefrom.
In accordance with another aspect, the invention relates to in combination, a fish product freezing frame and means for ejecting a frozen block of product from said frame; said product freezing frame comprising a bottom and upwardly extending side and end walls; at least one parallel pair of said walls being extruded integrally with said bottom;
longitudinally extending outwardly directed flanges on the top and bottom edges of said side and end walls, said side walls being tapered outwardly from the bottoms to the tops thereof; said ejecting apparatus comprising means for s~pporting the freezer frame in an inverted posi~ion and an opening in said supporting means corresponding in size to that of said product block; and means for applying pressure to the bottom of said frame to effect ejection of the block from the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is an isometric view of a freezer frame according to the in~ention:
Figure 2 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a portion of the freezer frame in Figure l;

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Figure 3 is a front elevation of the apparatus for ejecting fish blocks from freezer frames;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the device in Figure . 3;
Figure 6 is a plan view of the ejector mechanism; and Figure 7 is a side view, partly in section, of a further embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 8 is a plan view of the apparatus in Figure 7;
Figure 9 is an end view of the apparatus shown in Figure 7 and looking at the right-hand end of Figure 7;
Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 10-10 of Figure 7;

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Figure 11 is a side ~iew of an upper elevating member used in the apparatus; and Figure 12 is a side view of a lower elevating member used in the apparatus.
Referring to Figures l and 2, the fish freezing frame 10 has a bottom wall 12, side walls 14 and end walls 16. The bottom 12 and the side walls 14 are extruded in one piece in an aluminium extrusion method, the end walls 14 being tapered outwardly at their top ends as shown at T in Figure 2.
In like fashion, end walls 16 are tapered outwardly at *heir top ends relative to the bottom 12 of the frame but the ~nd walls are separate units as shown in Figure 1 and are welded in place and in such a manner that weld metal penetration provides crevice free ends. It will be apparent from Figure 2 that the "one piece" construction of the side walls and bottom eliminates crevices which tend to cause cleaning problems in this art.
Both of the side and end walls 14 and 16 respectively are provided with longitudinally extending, outwardly directed flanges 18 on their top ends and similar flanges 20 on their lower ends, these flanges resulting in substantial improvements in the ability of the freezer frame of the present invention to endure abuse during processing and speciically to substantially increase the dimensional stability of the frame compared with conventional devices.
While not necessary, it is advantageous to extrude the ~ottom 12 of the frame in a maximum depth of about Xour millimetexs. When used with an ejector as illustrated in Figures 3 through 6 of this application, it has been found that a freezer pan having a bottom of this thickness allows deflection thereof to a maximum of about one quarter of an ~6~ V5 inch without subjecting the frame to any permanent distortion.
: The preferred amount of taper of the side walls of the frame is 1 with a manufacturing tolerance of ~112 -0 while the end walls also have a taper of 1 but with a tolerance of ~1-0.
After a frame such as 10 in Figure 1 has been packed with fish and frozen, the contraction of the metal combined with the expansion of the frozen block of fish provides a self ejection tendency along the upwardly and outwardly tapering side walls 14. The predetermined taper shown in Figure 2 which is extruded into the side walls, provides this lifting tendency which substantially reduces the time and force required to eject the ~lock from the pan.
Re~erring to Figures 3 through.6 inclusive, the apparatus 22 for eject.ing a frozen fish block from the free~er frame such as that shown at 10 in Figure 1, comprises an open topped table 24 supported by a plurality of legs 26, a gantry or box frame 28 includes a pair of spaced side members 30 and horizontal members 32 for supporting a pan deflecting cylinder 34. The frame members 30 include guides 36 which, together with pan stops 38, Figure 6, serve to locate the pan 10 in the correct position over the opening in the table ~ surface as shown in Figures 3 and 4. It will be seen from the sectional ~iew of Figure 4 that in this location the frozen product in the pan has a free drop through the top of the table.
The pan deflecting cylinder 34 is shown in full line in its retracted position where its' deflecting head is in the inoperative position, the operative position being shown at 42 in phantom line where it presses down on the bottom surface of the pan to deflect i~ approximately 1 of an inch.
: A frame lifting mechanism is shown in Figures 3-5 ., ., . ~ ..... ~

1~68~05 and it includes a pair of rectangular, vertically oriented members 44 positioned outside the general opening area of the table top but located in recesses 48, Figure 6, of the table area so that the members 44 can engage the flanges 46 of the frame. Members 44 are supported on vertically oriented actuating rods 50, the lower ends of which are pivotally mounted on a shaft 52. A pair of links 54 connect the shaft 52 with an actuating lever 56 of a pneumatic cylinder 58 mounted on one side of the machine as shown in Figure 5.
As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the table 24 is provided with a pair of spaced knives. One end of the table incluaes a fixed knife 60 mounted in a recess 62. The other, opposed side of the table supports a horizontally movable knife 64 biased to the illustrated, open position by springs 66 mounted on rods 68. The latter members are actuated inwardly by means of an actuating cylinder 70 mounted on the side of the frame and being provided with an operating arm 72 the outer end of which is secured to a rocker shaft 74 which in turn actuates follower bars 76.
In operation, a frozen frame 10 and its contents are placed manually into the machine in an inverted position as shown in Figures 3 and 4 and being located properly by the guides 36 and frame stops 38. The operator then depresses a valve to institute a sequence of operations, the various pneumatic components and circuitry associated therewith following generally accepted industrial practice. Initially, the frame deflecting cylinder 34 moves its piston downwardly so that the head 42 deflects the frame bottom as shown in Figure 3 to push out the frozen product blocX a distance of approximately 1 of an inch. The return stroke of cylinder 34 initiates the knife cylinder 70 which in turn actuates the .. , . .. _ _ _ . _ . .. . _ _ _ ~ _ ~ _ ~ _ . . ~ .. _ . _ . ... . . . . .

ll~B~05 linkage 72 r 74, 76 to actuate the movable knife 64 and the product i5 securely held between the fixed and movable knives 64 and 60. Complete ejection of the frozen block from the frame 10 is then accomplished by actuation of the frame lifting cylinder 58 which causes the lifting members 44 to engage the flange 46 of the frame 10 and to lift the frame upwardly completely away from the product. The knives 60 and 64 are then retracted, allowing the frozen product block to fall into the angulated chute 80, Figure 4, and into some form of receiving means.
It will be appreciated that the mechanism such as cylinders 58 and 70 can be modified to accept hydraulic means or a manual operation.
Samples of the freezer frame of the present învention have been subjected to deflections for upwards of thirty-five thousand cycles, the units being precisely examined subsequently with no permanent distortion being found.
Referring to Figure 7, a further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in which pneumatic pressure is used to eject the frozen product block from the frame, th~reby eliminating the mechanically assisted extraction of the block from the frame as in the previously described embodiment.
In the embodiment of Figure 7, the frame containing the frozen product is substantially the same as the frame 10 in the previous embodiment but it will be seen from Figure 7 that frame 90 has a plurality of apertures 92 in its bottom wall 94.
Air is forced into the apertures 92 under high pressure to force the frozen produce block from the frame.
Referring to Figure 7, the ejection mechanism 96 includes a frame 98 having a pair of parallel, upper guide rails 100 which define an elongated path of travel (from right ;8(~05 to left in Figures 7 and 8~ for fr~mes 90. Each frame is fed manually or automatically onto the entry end 102 of the apparatus and in the same manner is moved under an ejector mechanism indicated generally at 104 where the frozen block is forced out of ~he frame and the ~rame 90 is then moved - out to the exit end of the apparatus to subsequently drop off the ends ~f the rail~ 100 onto a conveyor, bin or the like. The frozen product block being lowered downwardly onto a slide 106 to be conveyed away for processing.
The frames with the frozen block of product therein can be fed manually beneath the ejection mechanism or an automatic feeding device can be used. The latter is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 and the feeding device incorporates a pneumatic cylinder 108, the cylinder end of which is secured to a cross member 110 bridging the rails 100, the piston end of the cylinder 108 being connected to a frame pusher consisting of a transverse blade 112 having side rails 114 with angled braces 116. It will be evident from Figure 8 that the side rails 114 serve to maintain the blade 112 in proper alignment as it is reciprocated along the rails 100 by the cylinder 108. When using the automatic frame feeding device, the individual frames enter the machine on an inclined conveyor, not illustrated, onto the entry end 102 to strike a switch 91 which activates the cylinder 108 so that the blade 112 pushes the frame into the position illustrated in Figure 7, immediately beneath the ejection mechanism 104.
The side rails 114 of the feeding mechanism blocks the entry of another frame onto the entry end 102.
The ejection mechanism 104 includes a frame having side rails 120 and a top rail 122 and these together slidably position a frame cover 124 to overlie the frame 90 as shown . . .

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in Figure 7 and to mount the cover for vertical movement in its frame. Such movement is e~fected by a further pneumatic cylinder 126 which is connected to the cover 124 by pairs of double link connections 128 at each end of the cylinder. It will be evident from Figure 9 that actuation of the cylinder 126 will elongate the distance between its cylinder and piston ends to bring the links 128 into alignment with one ano~her resulting in lowering of the cover 124 onto the frame 90.
Figure 7 shows that the cover 124 includes a soft resilient gasket 130 around tha inner periphery of the cover and, when the cover 124 is lowered onto the surface o the frame 90, the thickness of the gasket forms a sealed air cavity 132 between the bottom 94 o~ the frame and the cover 124.
Pressurized air is then fed into the cavity through a conduit 134 to effect movement of the frozen product block from the frame 90 by entering the apertures 92 therein.
Means are provided for lowering the frozen product block ejected from the frame onto the out rails 106 shown in Figure 7. This elevating device consists of upper and lower wedge-shaped members 136 and 138 respectively. The lower wedge member 138 is reciprocated by an air cylinder 140 and as the lower surface of wedge member 136 rests on and is supported by the top surface of member 138, the upper member 136 is moved to its lowermost position when member 138 is retr~cted by cylinder 140 to its position shown at A in Figure 7 and is raised to its uppermost position when member 138 is advanced to its B position shown in Figure 7.
Referring to Figures 9 and 12, wedge member 138 is provided with flanges 142 along each of its lower side edges and these engage rails 144 along the frame 98 and positioned more or less directly below the rails 100 on the upper part of _g 8~ 5 the frame. The wedge member 138 has a sloping top surface 146 and the forward end of the member has a tongue 148 which is connected to'the rod end of cylinder 140. It will be appreciated therefore that actuation of cylinder 140 reciprocates member 138 along the rails 144.
The upper elevating member is again formed in the general shape of a wedge and includes a flat top surface 150 which, when the member 136 is raised to its uppermost position, is coplanar wi~h the surface 14~ of the entrance end of the apparatus so as to support the inverted frame 9Q with the frozen product therein. The lower surface 152 is sloped at the same angle as upper surface 146 on membex 138 and the narrow end of member 136 has an elongated pin 154 secured thereto, the ends of the pin extending out beyond the ends of the member and are enclosed in slideways 156 vertically mounted on either side of the frame 98 below the tracks 100. See Figure 10.
It will be evident from the above description that with the elevating member 138 in its position B in Figure 7, the upper member 136 is in position to receive the inYerted tray 90 as shown in Figure 7. As the member 138 is drawn back, towards the position A, the weight of the upper member 136 together with the pressure applied to it by the cover 124 and the frozen product block from the tray 90, causes it to be lowered downwardly with the ends of the pin 154 riding in the slideways 156. When the pins reach their lowermost position shown at point C in Figure 7, and with the lower member 138 in its fully retracted position at point A, the forward end of member 136 will drop dow~wardly, pivoting around pins 154 so that the frozen block of product will slide out the tr~cks 106.

~hen the'cover operatiny c~linder 126 starts air flow 1~8005 into the cavity 132 between the cover 124 and the bottom wall 94 of the frame 90, the air pressure acting over the area of the bottom of the frame 90 tends to deflect the bottom and push the product out. However, any such deflec~ion is prevented at this particular stage by the flat upper surface 150 of member 136. Accordingly, as pressure is maintained between the ejecting product block and the flat top surface 150 of member 136, the block moves sufficiently under the air pressure in cavity 132 to uncover the air holes 92 in the bottom of the frame and the pressurized air then flows through these holes and acts directly on the frozen block, continuing to force it out of the frame 90. If there is any deflection of the frame 90 at this point, the bottom o the frame will now spring back to its original state as the pressure on the bottom is equalized. By restricting the exhaust of the air cylinder 140, the upper part 136 of the elevating device is constrained to move downwardly in a vertical direction under the force of the ejecting block and because of the pressure being main~ained between the two wedge-shaped members, block alignment is maintained.
The cover operating cylinder 126 can he activated either manually or by the cylinder 108 at the extension of its stroke. Additionally, a further pressure signal from the cover operating cylinder 126 starts air to flow into the cavity 132 and a further alr pressure signal is used from the cavity to start the cylinder 140 moving in its retracting position to lower t~e elevating member 136. When the block of frozen product has been ejected rom the frame 90 and is clear thereo, the ejecting air supply is shut off by switch 158 being contacted by the lower wedge-shaped membèr 138. After the upper member 136 pivots about point C, and the frozen product i8~5 is slid off through rails 106, switch 160 is contacked by the frozen block which effects actuation of cylinder 140 to return the elevating devices 136, 138 to their uppermost positions; the raising of the cover plate by cylinder 126, and the return of the air cylinder 108 to its Figure 8 position.
While the invention has been described in connection wi~h specific embodiments thereof and in specific uses, : various modifications thereof will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claimsO
The terms and expressions which have been employed in this specification are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions to exclude any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized tha~ various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

Claims (2)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Apparatus for ejecting frozen fish blocks from freezer frames comprising a table having a top and supporting legs, an opening in said top corresponding in size to that of said fish block; a freezer frame support for retaining the frame over said opening a reciprocal press positioned over said opening; a gantry strucutre mounted on the table top for supporting said press and means for actuating the same.

2. Apparatus for ejecting frozen product blocks from freezer frames comprising means for supporting the freezer frame in an inverted position, means for applying pneumatic pressure through apertures in the floor of said frame to eject the block of product from the frame; elevating means supporting the frozen block and for dropping the block downwardly vertically from the frame and for conveying the product away from the frame.