Carton Freeze & Chill Tunnels

Carton Freezing & Chilling Tunnels

CARTON - air blast system for uniformed chilling or freezing of product in cartons or crates

Quotation Request

Fast Chill/Freeze

Preserves product quality

Energy Efficient

Up to 25% energy saving vs. manual blast cell

Fully Automated

Eliminates manual loading and unloading

Proven Reliability

Low-maintenance design

Carton Freezing & Chilling Tunnels

Leading Technology - Global Partnership

In conjunction with our Australasian partner MHM Automation, Starfrost offers Carton Tunnels for the chilling and freezing of products packaged in cartons or crates.

MHM Automation Chilling and Freezing tunnels employ an air blast system that provides uniformed conditioning to either chill or freeze product.

The tunnels are available in two distinct designs, the Single Retention Time (SRT) tunnel and the Multiple Retention Time (MRT) tunnel. A variation of the SRT, known as the Cheese Cooling Tunnel, has been specifically developed for cheese processors.

Each tunnel is custom designed to meet the processor’s specific requirements. Cycle times typically range between 2-48 hours, with capacities ranging from approximately 2,000 to 17,000 cartons.

Single Retention Time (SRT) Tunnel

Recognised for its simplicity and dependability, the SRT is MHM Automation’s most popular model of tunnel.

The Single Retention Time (SRT) Tunnel is designed to accommodate varying product types and carton sizes that all require the same chill or freeze time.

An SRT tunnel can be designed to either chill or freeze product.

The SRT tunnel is a first in, first out system, meaning all cartons complete a full rotation within the system.

SRT meat freezing tunnel

Cheese Cooling tunnel

The Cheese Cooling Tunnel is a variation of the SRT for cheese processors, providing fast chilling to preserve product quality.

These tunnels provide a true first in, first out, 24-hour cooling cycle for cheese that ensures product quality, colour and flavour are maintained.

MHM Automation’s cheese cooling tunnels are suitable for chilling a range of cheese products, including block cheeses (such as cheddar or mozzarella) and cream cheese. They can be custom designed to handle any product type and size, in a carton, box, case, mould, crate or plastic liner.

Cheese Cooling Tunnel

Multiple Retention Time (MRT) Tunnel

For food processing operations that have a range of products requiring different conditioning, the Multiple Retention Time (MRT) Tunnel has been developed to accommodate varying product types and carton sizes that require different chill or freeze times.

The MRT tunnel provides flexibility to apply different cooling regimes for different groups of product.

Shelves within the system are allocated different retention times and the interfacing conveyors pre-sort and accumulate product types allowing transfer onto a designated shelf depending on the product retention time.

MRT tunnels are used for chilling or freezing, and under some circumstances can do both in the same tunnel.

MRT Poultry Freezing Tunnel

Integrated control system tracks product movements through the tunnel.

Intelligent Controls

The integrated controls and automation designed for each system application allows for operator changes to the retention time set.

The control system also delivers complete tracking of all product within the system, which aids in the management of further processes post chilling or freezing, such as palletising and distribution.

Benefits

Fast chill or freeze improves shelf life and product quality
Fully automated loading and unloading eliminates manual handling and reduces risk of injury
Energy efficient – a freezing tunnel typically delivers approximately 25% energy saving vs. manual blast cell freezing
Reliable, low maintenance design
Proven technology – more than 130 installations worldwide