CN113557201A

CN113557201A - Storage library

Info

Publication number: CN113557201A
Application number: CN202080019004.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 大野正树
Original assignee: Mars Inc
Current assignee: Mars Inc
Priority date: 2019-12-02
Filing date: 2020-11-30
Publication date: 2021-10-26
Anticipated expiration: 2040-11-30
Also published as: WO2021112027A1; JP7441437B2; CN113557201B; JP2021088369A

Abstract

The invention can restrain the reduction of the loading capacity and form an electric field in the accommodating space. A container (1) is provided with: a container body (2) having a storage space (20) for storing an object; and an electrode (5) for forming an electric field in the storage space (20), wherein the electrode (5) is embedded in the container body (2). In addition, the electrode (5) is plate-shaped. The container body (2) further comprises: a bottom plate portion (24); a top plate (25) disposed opposite the bottom plate (24); and a side wall portion (26) connecting the bottom plate portion (24) and the top plate portion (25), wherein the electrode (5) is embedded in the top plate portion (24). The top plate (25) has an insulating heat insulator (23) and an outer wall (22) provided outside the heat insulator (23), and the electrode (5) is embedded in the heat insulator (23).

Description

Storage library

Technical Field

The present invention relates to storage libraries.

Background

As described in patent document 1, it is known that by forming an electric field in a storage space in a container and storing fresh food in an atmosphere in which the electric field is formed, the freshness of the fresh food can be maintained for a longer period of time than in the case where the electric field is not formed. The container of patent document 1 is configured such that a plate-like electrode for forming an electric field in the container is provided on a bottom surface, a side surface, or a top surface in the container.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2012-250773

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

However, in patent document 1, since the electrodes are provided so as to protrude from the inner wall of the container into the housing space, the volume of the housing space is reduced, and the load capacity is reduced accordingly.

The invention aims to provide a storage library which can restrain the reduction of loading capacity and form an electric field in a storage space.

Means for solving the problems

The above object can be achieved by the present invention described below.

(1) A storage library, comprising: a storage library main body having a storage space for storing an object; and

an electrode forming an electric field in the housing space,

the electrode is embedded in the reservoir body.

(2) The storage library according to the above (1), wherein the electrode is sheet-shaped or plate-shaped.

(3) The repository according to the above (1) or (2), wherein the repository main body has: a bottom plate portion; a top plate portion disposed opposite to the bottom plate portion; and a side wall portion connecting the bottom plate portion and the top plate portion,

the electrode is embedded in the top plate portion.

(4) The storage library according to the above (3), wherein the top plate portion has an insulating heat insulator and an outer wall provided outside of the heat insulator,

the electrode is embedded in the heat insulating member.

(5) The storage library as claimed in (4) above, wherein a separation interval of the electrode from the outer wall is larger than a separation interval of the electrode from the housing space.

(6) The storage library according to the above (4) or (5), wherein the top plate portion has an inner wall provided inside compared with the heat insulator,

the inner wall has an insulating property.

(7) The storage library according to any one of the above (1) to (6), wherein the bottom plate portion and the side wall portion have: an inner wall; an outer wall disposed outside of the inner wall; and a thermal insulation disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, since the electrodes are embedded in the bank main body, it is possible to provide a bank in which an electric field can be formed in the storage space while suppressing a reduction in the load amount.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire container of embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing the inside of the container main body.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the top plate portion of the container main body.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the electrode.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the electrode.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing the inside of the container main body of embodiment 2.

Fig. 7 is a graph showing voltages applied to electrodes of the container of embodiment 3.

Fig. 8 is a graph showing voltages applied to electrodes of the container of embodiment 3.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing voltages applied to electrodes of the container of embodiment 3.

Fig. 10 is a graph showing voltages applied to electrodes of the container of embodiment 3.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view showing the inside of the container main body of embodiment 4.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view showing the inside of the container main body of embodiment 5.

Fig. 13 is a graph showing voltages applied to electrodes.

Detailed Description

< embodiment 1 >

The container 1 (storage warehouse) shown in fig. 1 is a mobile container mounted on a truck, a ship, an airplane, or the like. In particular, the container 1 of the present embodiment is a refrigerator having a cooling function, and includes: a container main body 2 (a library main body) having a storage space 20 for storing an object; a cooling device 3 for cooling the inside of the storage space 20; and an electric field forming device 4 that forms an electric field in the housing space 20. The container 1 is, for example, of the construction of the international standard (ISO standard), and is a "20-foot container" having a full length of 20 feet or a "40-foot container" having a full length of 40 feet. By adopting the structure based on the international standard, the container 1 is excellent in convenience and versatility and has sufficient reliability.

The container 1 is not necessarily based on international standards (ISO standards), and the shape of the container 1 is not particularly limited. The container 1 may be a fixed type container used in stores, warehouses, and the like, instead of a mobile type container. Further, the container may be attached to a truck or the like. The storage is not limited to the container 1, and may be applied to a cooling warehouse, a refrigerator, and the like.

The object is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include fish and shellfish such as fish, shrimp, crab, squid, octopus, and shellfish, and processed foods thereof; fruits such as strawberry, apple, banana, orange, grape, pear, etc. and processed food thereof; vegetables such as cabbage, lettuce, cucumber, tomato, etc. and processed food thereof; fresh foods such as edible meat including beef, pork, chicken, horse meat, etc.; various dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt; various organs, particularly organs for transplantation, and the like. Among them, fresh foods are particularly preferable as the object. It is preferable that these objects be stored in a refrigerated state, that is, in a non-frozen (non-frozen) state.

The container body 2 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the depth direction in fig. 2, and a storage space 20 for storing an object is provided inside the container body. As shown in fig. 2, the container body 2 includes an inner wall 21, an outer wall 22, and an insulating heat insulator 23 provided between the inner wall 21 and the outer wall 22. This makes the housing space 20 sufficiently insulated from heat, and is not easily affected by the outside air temperature. Therefore, the inside of the housing space 20 can be efficiently cooled by the cooling device 3. In addition, when the container 1 is used, the container body 2 (the inner wall 21 and the outer wall 22) is grounded. A member not shown may be interposed between the inner wall 21 and the heat insulator 23, between the outer wall 21 and the heat insulator 23, or inside the inner wall 21 or outside the outer wall 21.

Here, the constituent materials of the inner wall 21 and the outer wall 22 are not particularly limited, and various metals such as stainless steel, iron, and aluminum can be used. This makes it possible to obtain a strong and rigid container body 2. The heat insulator 23 is not particularly limited as long as it has insulation properties, and for example, glass wool, cellulose fiber, a foam (foamed polyurethane, foamed polyethylene, foamed polypropylene, or the like), or the like can be used. This can exhibit excellent heat insulating properties.

Further, the container body 2 includes: a bottom plate portion 24 positioned on the vertically lower side; a top plate 25 located above the bottom plate 24 and facing the bottom plate 24; and a side wall 26 extending upright from the bottom plate 24 and connecting the bottom plate 24 and the top plate 25, and the storage space 20 is formed by being surrounded by these portions. The bottom plate portion 24, the top plate portion 25, and the side wall portion 26 are connected and fixed to each other via a frame 27, for example. The connecting and fixing method is not particularly limited, and for example, the outer walls and the inner walls may be fixed to each other by welding.

As shown in fig. 2, the bottom plate 24 and the side wall 26 each include an inner wall 21, an outer wall 22, and a heat insulator 23 provided between the inner wall 21 and the outer wall 22. In contrast, the top plate 25 includes the outer wall 22 and the heat insulator 23 provided inside the outer wall 22. That is, the top plate 25 is configured such that the inner wall 21 is omitted from the bottom plate 24 and the side wall 26, and the heat insulator 23 faces the housing space 20. In other words, in the transverse cut view (the cut view orthogonal to the longitudinal direction), the container body 2 is composed of the "コ" -shaped inner wall 21 opened upward in the vertical direction, the "ロ" -shaped outer wall 22 located outside the inner wall 21 and surrounding the inner wall 21, and the "ロ" -shaped heat insulator 23 provided between the inner wall 21 and the outer wall 22, and the heat insulator 23 of the top plate portion 25 is exposed in the housing space 20. By not providing the inner wall 21 in the top plate 25 in this way, as will be described later, the electric field formation in the housing space 20 is less likely to be hindered.

Further, a pair of

doors

28 and 29 of a double-split type are provided at the front end of the container body 2 in fig. 1. The object can be carried into or out of the storage space 20 through the

doors

28 and 29. The arrangement and structure of the

doors

28 and 29 are not particularly limited. On the other hand, a cooling device 3 is provided at the end portion of the container body 2 on the back side in fig. 1. In the container 1 of the present embodiment, the wall of the end portion of the container body 2 located on the back side in fig. 1 is formed by the panel of the cooling device 3, but is not limited thereto, and may be formed by the side wall portion 26 of the container body 2.

As shown in fig. 2, the cooling device 3 is provided at the end portion on the back side when viewed from the

doors

28 and 29 of the housing space 20, and includes: a suction unit 31 for sucking air in the storage space 20; a cooling device 32 for cooling the air sucked from the suction unit 31; a blowing section 33 for blowing cold air, which is air cooled by the cooling device 32, into the storage space 20; and a temperature sensor 34 that detects the temperature in the housing space 20.

The blowing portion 33 is provided near the bottom plate portion 24 of the storage space 20, and blows cold air toward the bottom plate portion 24. The cold air blown out from the blowing portion 33 flows along the plurality of grooves 241 formed in the bottom plate portion 24 along the longitudinal direction of the container body 2, collides with the

doors

28 and 29, rises in front of them, and reaches the top plate portion 25 of the storage space 20. On the other hand, the suction portion 31 is provided near the top plate 25 and sucks in the cold air rising from the bottom plate 24 to the top plate 25 or its vicinity. The temperature and the air volume of the cold air are controlled so that the temperature in the storage space 20 detected by the temperature sensor 34 reaches a target temperature.

With this configuration, the cooled air can be efficiently circulated over the entire area of the storage space 20, and the temperature in the storage space 20 can be maintained at the target temperature. Therefore, the object stored in the storage space 20 can be cooled uniformly and appropriately. The settable temperature in the housing space 20 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about-30 ℃ to +30 ℃. The configuration and arrangement of the cooling device 3 are not particularly limited as long as the cooling device can cool the inside of the housing space 20.

The electric field forming device 4 has a function of forming an electric field in the storage space 20 and applying the formed electric field to the object stored in the storage space 20. As shown in fig. 2, such an electric field forming device 4 includes: an electrode 5 embedded in the top plate 25 of the container body 2: and a voltage application device 7 that applies a drive voltage (alternating voltage Vac) for forming an electric field to the electrode 5.

The electrode 5 is plate-shaped, particularly flat, and is provided over a wide range substantially over the entire area of the top plate 25. This makes it possible to uniformly distribute the electric field over a wider range of the housing space 20. The electrode 5 is embedded in the heat insulator 23 of the top plate 25. That is, the electrode 5 is disposed inside the heat insulator 23. By embedding the electrode 5 in the heat insulator 23 of the top plate portion 25 in this manner, the electrode 5 does not protrude into the housing space 20, and therefore, the volume (load amount) of the housing space 20 can be prevented from being reduced by the electrode 5. Therefore, the container 1 can accommodate more objects. Further, since the electrode 5 is insulated by the heat insulator 23 and the electrode 5 is not exposed to the housing space 20, for example, the electrode 5 can be prevented from coming into contact with an object.

In particular, by forming the electrode 5 in a plate shape, the thickness T of the electrode 5 can be suppressed, and the electrode 5 can be easily embedded in the top plate portion 25. Further, the heat insulator 23 of the top plate 25 is prevented from becoming thick, and the capacity (load amount) of the storage space 20 can be effectively prevented from decreasing. The thickness T of the electrode 5 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 2mm or less, and more preferably 1mm or less, for example. This enables the electrode 5 to be very thin, and the above effect is more remarkable. The material constituting the electrode 5 is not particularly limited as long as it has conductivity, and various metal materials such as aluminum and copper can be used.

The shape of the electrode 5 is not particularly limited. For example, the electrode 5 may be a sheet (film) thinner than the above-described plate. This further suppresses the thickness T of the electrode 5, and the above effect is further remarkable. In this case, for example, an aluminum foil, a copper foil, or the like can be used as the electrode 5. Note that "plate-like" and "sheet-like (film-like)" are not clearly distinguished, and for example, a structure that is hard to some extent and substantially free from deformation due to its own weight (except slight deflection) can be regarded as "plate-like", and a structure that is flexible and deforms due to its own weight can be regarded as "sheet-like (film-like)".

As shown in fig. 3, the separation distance D1 between the electrode 5 and the outer wall 22 of the top plate 25 is larger than the separation distance D2 between the electrode 5 and the housing space 20 (the inner surface 251 of the top plate 25). That is, D1 > D2. This makes it possible to increase the separation distance D1 as much as possible while embedding the electrode 5 in the heat insulator 23. Accordingly, the capacitance C formed between the electrode 5 and the outer wall 22 of the top plate portion 25 can be reduced. As a result, an electric field distributed between the electrode 5 and the outer wall 22 of the top plate 25 is not easily formed, and an electric field distributed in the housing space 20 is easily formed. Therefore, the electric field can be efficiently and effectively applied to the object stored in the storage space 20. Although not particularly limited, the separation intervals D1 and D2 are preferably determined as average separation intervals, respectively.

The separation intervals D1 and D2 preferably have a relationship of D1/D2. gtoreq.2, more preferably D1/D2. gtoreq.4, and still more preferably D1/D2. gtoreq.10. This makes the separation distance D1 larger, and the above effect is more remarkable. That is, it is more difficult to form the electric field distributed between the electrode 5 and the outer wall 22 of the top plate portion 25, and it is more easy to form the electric field distributed in the housing space 20. Therefore, the electric field can be more efficiently and effectively applied to the object stored in the storage space 20. The relationship between the separation distances D1 and D2 is not limited to this, and D1. ltoreq.D 2 may be used.

The structure of the electrode 5 is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in fig. 4, the electrode 5 may have a corrugated plate shape. By forming the irregularities on the surface of the electrode 5 in this manner, the surface area of the electrode 5 is increased as compared with, for example, a flat plate-like electrode 5. Therefore, an electric field distributed in the housing space 20 is easily formed. Further, for example, as shown in fig. 5, a plurality of through holes 51 may be provided in the electrode 5. The through holes 51 may be regularly provided over the entire area of the electrode 5, or may be irregularly provided. The shape of the through-hole 51 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a slit shape extending in the width direction or the longitudinal direction of the container 1.

The number of electrodes 5 to be provided is not particularly limited, and may be 2 or more, for example, as described in the embodiment described later. In other words, the electrode 5 of the present embodiment may be divided into a plurality of electrodes. The location of the electrode 5 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, the bottom plate 24 or the side wall 26. When the electrode 5 is embedded in the bottom plate portion 24, the electrode 5 may be embedded in the heat insulator 23 of the bottom plate portion 24 and the inner wall 21 may be removed from the bottom plate portion 24, and when the electrode 5 is embedded in the side wall portion 26, the electrode 5 may be embedded in the heat insulator 23 of the side wall portion 26 and the inner wall 21 may be removed from the side wall portion 26.

The electrode 5 is preferably embedded in the top plate 25 as in the present embodiment. The reason for this is 1 st to suppress the decrease in strength. The inner wall 21 needs to be removed from the portion where the electrode 5 is embedded, which may cause a decrease in the strength of the container body 2 depending on the configuration of the container 1. When the inner wall 21 is removed from the top plate 25, it is considered that the strength of the container body 2 is less likely to be reduced than when the inner wall 21 is removed from the bottom plate 24 and the side wall 26. The reason 2 is to suppress damage to the container 1. The frequency of contact between the top plate 25 and the object, the container tray on which the object is loaded, the forklift which transports the container tray into the storage space 20, and the like is significantly less than that between the bottom plate 24 and the side wall 26. Since the inner wall 21 is removed at the portion where the electrode 5 is embedded, the heat insulator 23 is exposed in the housing space 20, and the heat insulator 23 and the electrode 5 may be damaged by the contact. Therefore, by embedding the electrode 5 in the top plate portion 25 having a low frequency of contact, damage to the container 1 can be more effectively suppressed.

The voltage applying device 7 includes, for example, a high-voltage transformer, and applies an alternating voltage Vac as a driving voltage for forming an electric field to the electrode 5, as shown in fig. 3. When the voltage application device 7 applies the alternating voltage Vac to the electrode 5, an electric field is formed in the housing space 20 based on a potential difference between the electrode 5 and the grounded container body 2. By applying the electric field to the object stored in the storage space 20, the freshness of the object can be maintained. Therefore, the object can be stored for a longer period of time than when no electric field is formed. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the electrode 5 is provided over a wide range in substantially the entire area of the top plate portion 25, an electric field can be effectively formed in the entire area of the housing space 20.

The amplitude of the alternating voltage Vac is not particularly limited, and is preferably, for example, about 0.1kV to 20 kV. By applying the alternating voltage Vac of such amplitude to the electrode 5, an electric field of sufficient strength can be formed in the housing space 20, and the above-described effects can be exhibited more reliably. The frequency of the alternating voltage Vac is not particularly limited, and is preferably, for example, about 5Hz to 50 kHz. The waveform of the alternating voltage Vac may be any waveform such as a sine wave, a rectangular wave, or a sawtooth wave.

< embodiment 2 >

Next, the container 1 of embodiment 2 will be mainly described about the differences from embodiment 1.

As shown in fig. 6, in the container 1 of the present embodiment, the top plate portion 25 also includes the inner wall 21, the outer wall 22, and the heat insulator 23 provided between the inner wall 21 and the outer wall 22, similarly to the bottom plate portion 24 and the side wall portion 26. By providing the inner wall 21 also in the top plate portion 25 in this manner, the strength of the container 1 can be improved as compared with a configuration in which the inner wall 21 is not present, such as in embodiment 1. Further, the heat insulator 23 can be prevented from being exposed in the housing space 20, and the heat insulator 23 and the electrode 5 can be protected.

The inner wall 21 of the top plate 25 has insulation properties. Thus, the inner wall 21 of the top plate 25 functions like a shield layer, and the inner wall 21 of the top plate 25 prevents the electric field formation in the housing space 20 from being hindered. The material constituting the inner wall 21 of the top plate 25 is not particularly limited as long as it has insulation properties, and various resin materials, various glass materials, various ceramics, and the like can be used, for example. Among them, various ceramics are preferably used from the viewpoint of mechanical strength.

According to embodiment 2, the same effects as those of embodiment 1 can be obtained.

< embodiment 3 >

Next, the container 1 of embodiment 3 will be mainly described about the differences from embodiment 1.

In embodiment 3, the voltage application device 7 changes the state of the electric field formed in the housing space 20 with time. By changing the state of the electric field in the storage space 20 with time, the growth (division) of microorganisms contained in the food can be suppressed, for example, as compared with a case where the state of the electric field in the storage space 20 is kept constant. Therefore, the freshness of the object stored in the storage space 20 can be maintained for a longer period of time.

The reason why the growth of microorganisms can be suppressed by changing the state of the electric field in the housing space 20 with time is that microorganisms have a property of starting to be disrupted after becoming accustomed to their environment to some extent. By changing the state of the electric field with time, it is possible to switch to a different environment before the microorganisms get used to the current environment, thereby suppressing the environment to which the microorganisms get used, and as a result, suppressing the proliferation of the microorganisms. Examples of the microorganisms contained in the subject include salmonella, enterohemorrhagic escherichia coli (e.g., O157, O111), vibrio enteritidis, clostridium perfringens, staphylococcus aureus, clostridium botulinum, bacillus cereus, and norovirus, which are considered to cause food poisoning.

Here, "changing the state of the electric field with time" means, for example, changing at least one of the amplitude and the frequency of the alternating voltage Vac applied to the electrode 5 with time. The method of changing the state of the electric field with time is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include the following methods.

As the method 1, as shown in fig. 7, a method of intermittently applying an alternating voltage Vac having a constant amplitude and frequency with reference to 0V to the electrode 5 can be cited. In fig. 7, the voltage application device 7 alternately repeats a 1 st state in which the alternating voltage Vac is applied to the electrode 5 and a 2 nd state in which the alternating voltage Vac is not applied to the electrode 5. That is, the 1 st state in which an electric field is formed in the housing space 20 and the 2 nd state in which no electric field is formed are alternately repeated. By alternately repeating the 1 st state and the 2 nd state in this manner, the state of the electric field can be changed with time with relatively simple control.

As the method 2, as shown in fig. 8, a method of changing the amplitude of the alternating voltage Vac applied to the electrode 5 with time can be exemplified. The term "changing the amplitude of the alternating voltage Vac with time" means that the amplitude of the alternating voltage Vac may be changed periodically or irregularly. In fig. 8, the voltage application device 7 alternately repeats a 1 st state in which the alternating voltage Vac with reference to 0V and amplitude E1 is applied to the electrode 5 and a 2 nd state in which the alternating voltage Vac with reference to 0V and amplitude E2(≠ E1) is applied to the electrode 5. By alternately repeating the 1 st state and the 2 nd state, the state of the electric field can be changed with time with relatively simple control.

The amplitude E1 is preferably 2 times or more, more preferably 3 times or more, and still more preferably 4 times or more the amplitude E2. This makes it possible to sufficiently differentiate the states of the electric fields in the housing space 20 between the 1 st state and the 2 nd state, and thus to effectively suppress the microbial habit.

As the 3 rd method, as shown in fig. 9, a method of changing the frequency of the alternating voltage Vac applied to the electrode 5 with time can be exemplified. Note that changing the frequency of the alternating voltage Vac with time means that the frequency of the alternating voltage Vac may be changed periodically or irregularly. In fig. 9, the voltage application device 7 alternately repeats a 1 st state in which the alternating voltage Vac having a frequency of f1 is applied to the electrode 5 and a 2 nd state in which the alternating voltage Vac having a frequency of f2(≠ f1) is applied to the electrode 5. By alternately repeating the 1 st state and the 2 nd state, the state of the electric field can be changed with time with relatively simple control.

The frequency f1 is preferably 10 times or more, more preferably 50 times or more, and still more preferably 100 times or more the frequency f 2. This makes it possible to sufficiently differentiate the states of the electric field in the housing space 20 between the 1 st state and the 2 nd state, and thus to effectively suppress the microbial habit.

As the 4 th method, as shown in fig. 10, there is a method in which an alternating voltage Vac having a constant amplitude and frequency with a reference of 0V is applied to the electrode 5, and a bias voltage Vb (constant voltage) is intermittently applied. In fig. 10, the voltage application device 7 alternately repeats a 1 st state in which a superimposed voltage Vd of an alternating voltage Vac and a bias voltage Vb is applied to the electrode 5 and a 2 nd state in which the alternating voltage Vac is applied to the electrode 5. By alternately switching the 1 st state and the 2 nd state, the state of the electric field can be changed with time with relatively simple control. In particular, in this method, since the alternating voltage Vac can be kept constant, the control is simpler than in the

methods

2 and 3 in which the amplitude and frequency of the alternating voltage Vac are changed.

The bias voltage Vb is smaller than the amplitude (maximum value) of the alternating voltage Vac. This enables the superimposed voltage Vd to be an ac voltage. Therefore, in the 1 st state, the electric field can be more reliably formed in the housing space 20. The bias voltage Vb is preferably 0.1 to 0.6 times, more preferably 0.2 to 0.5 times, and still more preferably 0.3 to 0.4 times the amplitude of the alternating voltage Vac. This makes it possible to equalize the time when the superimposed voltage Vd is on the positive side with the time when the superimposed voltage Vd is on the negative side, i.e., to prevent one from being longer than the other, and to form an electric field more efficiently in the housing space 20 in the state 1. In addition, the states of the electric field in the housing space 20 can be sufficiently different between the 1 st state and the 2 nd state, and the microbial habit can be effectively suppressed.

The methods 1 to 4 have been described above as methods for changing the state of the electric field with time. In the methods 1 to 4, the state of the electric field varies depending on the temperature in the storage space 20 and the type of the object stored in the storage space 20 (the type of the microorganism included in the food), but the state of the electric field is preferably changed at intervals of 1 minute or more and 60 minutes or less, more preferably at intervals of 2 minutes or more and 40 minutes or less, and still more preferably at intervals of 3 minutes or more and 30 minutes or less. In other words, the time in each of the 1 st state and the 2 nd state is preferably 1 minute or more and 60 minutes or less, more preferably 2 minutes or more and 40 minutes or less, and further preferably 3 minutes or more and 30 minutes or less. Thus, the time of the 1 st state and the time of the 2 nd state are sufficiently shortened, and the environment can be switched to a different environment more reliably before the microorganisms get used to the current environment. In addition, the time of state 1 and the time of state 2 can be prevented from becoming excessively short, and the microorganisms can be effectively prevented from returning to the original environment before they start to cope with a new environment. That is, the state of the electric field can be changed at a time interval slightly shorter than the division speed of the microorganism. This can more effectively inhibit the division of the microorganism. The time of the 1 st state and the time of the 2 nd state may be the same or different.

Here, it is known that microorganisms (1) have a division rate of about 10 minutes to 40 minutes in a temperature range of about 10 ℃ to 40 ℃, (2) have a slow division rate as the temperature is lower, (3) are substantially unable to proliferate except for some microorganisms if they are 10 ℃ or lower, and (4) are substantially unable to proliferate at 0 ℃ or lower. Therefore, as described above, by changing the state of the electric field at intervals of 60 minutes or less, preferably 40 minutes or less, and more preferably 30 minutes or less, the state of the electric field can be changed at intervals sufficiently shorter than the cleavage rate of the microorganism, taking into account the time (for example, about 10 minutes) until the microorganism becomes accustomed to the environment. Therefore, the growth of microorganisms can be more reliably suppressed.

In any of the methods 1 to 4, the electric field may be changed periodically or irregularly. In other words, the time of the 1 st state and the time of the 2 nd state may be made substantially the same for each time, or the time of the 1 st state and the time of the 2 nd state may be changed irregularly for each time. By periodically changing the electric field, the driving control of the voltage application device 7 becomes simpler than the case where the electric field is irregularly changed. On the other hand, by irregularly changing the electric field, there is a possibility that the growth of microorganisms can be more effectively suppressed than in the case where the electric field is periodically changed. It is presumed that, when the electric field is periodically changed, microorganisms may become accustomed to the periodic environmental change itself. As described above, even when the microorganisms are used to the periodic environmental change itself, the growth of the microorganisms can be more effectively suppressed by irregularly changing the electric field.

As a method of changing the state of the electric field with time, the above-described 1 st to 4 th methods may be appropriately combined. In the above-described 1 st to 4 th methods, the 1 st state and the 2 nd state are alternately repeated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, at least 1 state (3 rd state, 4 th state, 5 th state …) in which the state of the electric field is different from the 1 st state and the 2 nd state may be provided, and the plurality of states may be sequentially or randomly repeated.

< embodiment 4 >

Next, the container 1 of embodiment 4 will be mainly described about the differences from embodiment 1.

As shown in fig. 11, in the container 1 of the present embodiment, 3 electrodes 5 are embedded in the heat insulator 23 of the top plate 25. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the 3 electrodes 5 are also referred to as

electrodes

5A, 5B, and 5C.

The 3

electrodes

5A, 5B, 5C are arranged in the width direction of the container 1 and spaced apart from each other. The

electrodes

5A, 5B, and 5C are each formed in a longitudinal shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the container 1. The

electrodes

5A, 5B, and 5C are each independently connected to a voltage applying device 7. Thus, 3 electric field forming systems can be provided, and even if 1 electric field forming system fails, an electric field can be formed using the other 2 electric field forming systems. This reduces the risk of failure to form an electric field, and can achieve high reliability.

The voltage application device 7 may apply different voltages to the

electrodes

5A, 5B, and 5C. By applying different voltages to the

electrodes

5A, 5B, and 5C, the electric field can be changed periodically or irregularly, as in the case of embodiment 2.

The voltage applied to the

electrodes

5A, 5B, 5C is not particularly limited. For example, the frequencies may be different from each other among the 1 st alternating voltage Vac1 as a voltage to be applied to the electrode 5A, the 2 nd alternating voltage Vac2 as a voltage to be applied to the electrode 5B, and the 3 rd alternating voltage Vac3 as a voltage to be applied to the electrode 5C. For example, the 1 st alternating voltage Vac1, the 2 nd alternating voltage Vac2, and the 3 rd alternating voltage Vac3 may have different frequencies and amplitudes. For example, the 1 st alternating voltage Vac1, the 2 nd alternating voltage Vac2, and the 3 rd alternating voltage Vac3 may have the same waveform and may have different phases.

In the present embodiment, the

electrodes

5A, 5B, and 5C are provided as a plurality of electrodes to which different voltages are applied, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any configuration may be used as long as the present invention has at least 2 electrodes 5 and the same or different voltages are applied to these electrodes. For example, 1 of the

electrodes

5A, 5B, and 5C may be omitted, or at least 1 electrode to which a voltage can be independently applied may be added to the electrodes.

In the present embodiment, the

electrodes

5A, 5B, and 5C are arranged in the width direction of the container 1, but the arrangement is not particularly limited. For example, the

electrodes

5A, 5B, and 5C may be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the container 1. Further, the

electrodes

5A and 5B may be arranged in the width direction of the container 1, and the

electrodes

5A and 5B and the electrode 5C may be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the container 1.

< embodiment 5 >

Next, the container 1 of embodiment 5 will be mainly described about the differences from embodiment 1.

As shown in fig. 12, in the container 1 of the present embodiment, 2 electrodes 5 are embedded in the heat insulator 23 of the top plate 25. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, these 2 electrodes 5 will be referred to as

electrodes

5A and 5B. The voltage application device 7 applies a 1 st alternating voltage Vac1 to the electrode 5A, and applies a 2 nd alternating voltage Vac2 having a phase opposite to that of the 1 st alternating voltage Vac1 to the electrode 5B. As shown in fig. 13, the 1 st alternating voltage Vac1 and the 2 nd alternating voltage Vac2 have the same waveform, and have the same frequency and amplitude.

Since the container main body 2 is grounded, the 1 st alternating voltage Vac1 and the 2 nd alternating voltage Vac2 are in opposite phases, that is, shifted by 180 °, whereby the potential difference Δ V1 between the electrode 5A and the electrode 5B is larger than the potential difference Δ V2 between the electrode 5A and the container main body 2 and the potential difference Δ V3 between the electrode 5B and the container main body 2. That is, Δ V1 > Δ V2 and Δ V1 > Δ V3 are in the relationship. Therefore, an electric field is more easily formed between the electrode 5A and the electrode 5B than between the electrode 5A and the container main body 2 and between the electrode 5B and the container main body 2.

Therefore, an electric field can be formed in a wider range of the storage chamber 20, and the electric field can be efficiently applied to an object at an arbitrary position in the storage chamber 20. The "opposite phase" described above includes a case where the phase difference between the 1 st ac voltage Vac1 and the 2 nd ac voltage Vac2 matches 180 °, and a case where a technically possible slight error (for example, ± 10%) is present.

The repository of the present invention has been described above based on the illustrated embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the structure of each part may be replaced with any structure that performs the same function, or any structure may be added. Further, the above embodiments can be combined as appropriate.

Industrial applicability

As described above, the container 1 of the present invention includes: a container body 2 having a storage space 20 for storing an object; and an electrode 5 for forming an electric field in the storage space 20, the electrode 5 being embedded in the bank main body 2. Therefore, the electrode 5 does not protrude into the housing space 20, and therefore, the volume (load amount) of the housing space 20 can be prevented from being reduced by the electrode 5. Therefore, the container 1 can accommodate more objects. Further, since the electrode 5 is insulated by the heat insulator 23 and the electrode 5 is not exposed to the housing space 20, the electrode 5 can be prevented from coming into contact with an object, for example.

Description of the reference numerals

1 … container, 2 … container body, 20 … storage space, 21 … inner wall, 22 … outer wall, 23 … heat insulator, 24 … bottom plate, 241 … groove, 25 … top plate, 251 … inner face, 26 … side wall, 27 … skeleton, 28 … door, 29 … door, 3 … cooling device, 31 … suction part, 32 … cooling device, 33 … blowout part, 34 … temperature sensor, 4 … electric field forming device, 5 … electrode, 5a … electrode, 5B … electrode, 5C … electrode, 7 … voltage applying device, 51 … through hole, C … capacitance, D1 … separation interval, D2 … separation interval

Claims

1. A repository, comprising:

a storage library main body having a storage space for storing an object; and

an electrode forming an electric field in the housing space,

the electrode is embedded in the reservoir body.

2. The storage library of claim 1,

the electrode is sheet-shaped or plate-shaped.

3. The storage library of claim 1 or 2,

the storage library main body has: a bottom plate portion; a top plate portion disposed opposite to the bottom plate portion; and a side wall portion connecting the bottom plate portion and the top plate portion,

the electrode is embedded in the top plate portion.

4. The storage library of claim 3,

the top plate portion has an insulating heat insulator and an outer wall provided on the outer side of the heat insulator,

the electrode is embedded in the heat insulating member.

5. The storage library of claim 4,

the separation interval between the electrode and the outer wall is larger than that between the electrode and the accommodating space.

6. The storage library of claim 4 or 5,

the top plate portion has an inner wall provided on the inner side than the heat insulator,

the inner wall has an insulating property.

7. The storage library of any one of claims 1 to 6,

the bottom plate portion and the side wall portion have: an inner wall; an outer wall disposed outside of the inner wall; and a thermal insulation disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall.