Floyd I Miller, 661617 Corsica Pl, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

4576014, Mar 18, 1986

Jan 31, 1985

6/697050

Craig A. Miller - Fremont CA
Floyd E. Miller - Fremont CA

Western Precooling Systems, Inc. - Fremont CA

F25B 1900

62268

A vacuum cooler for produce and the like comprising a vacuum tube (9) forming a vacuum chamber (10) in which the produce is placed. A vacuum pump (13) lowers the atmospheric pressure while cold water is circulated over the produce by a pump (24) forcing the water through nozzles (22). The invention comprises a venting system allowing outside air into the vacuum chamber to raise the pressure back to atmospheric level to allow removal of the cooled produce. A vent pipe (42) includes an outlet (44) positioned beneath the water level in the pump (29). By causing the incoming air to enter the vacuum chamber through the water, the pressure rise is slowed, pressure differentials throughout the vacuum chamber are reduced, and the humidity level of the air entering the chamber is raised to reduce vacuum infiltration of water into the produce.

5277031, Jan 11, 1994

Nov 27, 1991

7/799567

Floyd E. Miller - Fremont CA
Craig A. Miller - Fremont CA

Western Precooling Systems - Fremont CA

F25B 1900

62100

A vacuum cooling system is provided with controls for reliably and consistently controlling the cooling system for a chamber that holds produce provided with a vacuum pump, a refrigeration system, a vent valve, a bleed valve, first, second and third pressure detectors or pressure set points and a programmable logic controller for starting the pump and then automatically operating the refrigeration system in response to operation of the first pressure detector and then momentarily and repeatedly opening the bleed valve in response to operation of the second detector and wherein the third detector detects a pressure above the second level detector and the control system closes the bleed valve in response to operation of the third pressure detector.