JP2000046453A - Food refrigerating machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sequentially refrigerate food by positioning an outlet for dropping frozen food out of a refrigerating tank from a holding means via an upper opening end at an upper area of an endless conveying means inclined below the holding means under a horizontal surface, and positioning an input port at an area of the conveying means inclined above the horizontal surface of the holding means. SOLUTION: A ham H in a basket to be refrigerated is placed in an inputting chute IS, and received by a normally closed inputting port shutter 10 to prevent inputting of the ham in a cooling tank 2. When a support member 8A of a holding member 8 is disposed at an inputting position IP, the shutter 10 is opened, and the ham H to be refrigerated is fallen down in the member 8A of the member 8 from the chute IS. The ham H held by the member 8 is moved counterclockwise along an inner peripheral wall 2C, and refrigerated by refrigerating medium contained in a refrigerating unit F. The medium overflowed from the unit F over a communicating port 30 is stored in a reservoir R via the port 30. The shutter 11 is opened at a removal position RP, taken out of the member 8A, and fallen in a removal chute RS.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to food refrigeration equipment, and more particularly to a continuous refrigeration equipment for food products.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional freezing device for freezing food, for example, raw ham, a so-called batch type freezing device is known. The batch type refrigeration apparatus typically has a freezer for storing a freezing medium and a freezer for freezing the freezing medium connected to the freezing tank, and freezes food, for example, raw ham. When doing this, the raw ham is frozen by storing a large number of this raw ham in a net basket, usually in a cylindrical shape called a log, and placing such a net basket in a freezer containing a freezing medium. I was

[0003]

However, the batch-type refrigeration system having the above-described structure has a problem in that the operation of taking the net basket containing the ham into and out of the freezer is complicated. There were also problems with food quality. Although the frozen ham is then sliced, the batch refrigeration unit freezes many raw hams at once, while the freezing temperature of the freezer is
The temperature is set to be optimal for slicing ham when the net basket is pulled out of the freezer. Therefore, in the above-mentioned batch type freezing apparatus, although the ham is stored in the same net basket and frozen at the same temperature, the ham first subjected to the slicing step and the ham finally supplied to the slicing step are separated. There is a time lag between them, and the temperature of the last ham that was subjected to the slicing process is no longer at a temperature suitable for slicing, and therefore, for ham sliced at such a temperature. However, high-quality ham could not be provided because the melted ice became moisture and adhered.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a food freezing apparatus which can easily take out and put in foods and can freeze foods sequentially. I do.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a food freezing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a freezing tank provided with a freezing portion for storing a freezing medium, and an endless transport means provided in the freezing portion. And a driving means for driving the endless transport means, and a holding means for holding food, which is attached to the endless transport means and comprises a bottomed member having an upper open end. The conveying means is arranged at its upper part such that the upper open end of the holding means has a region which is tilted below the horizontal plane. An inlet for dropping the frozen food into the holding means through the section, and an outlet for dropping the frozen food from the holding means through the upper open end to the outside of the freezer, and the outlet is provided. The holding means is below the horizontal plane Is positioned in the upper region of the endless conveying means being kicked, inlet may retaining means it is characterized in that it is positioned in the region of the endless conveyor means which is inclined upward from the horizontal plane.

According to the present invention having the above-described structure, the freezing medium is supplied to the freezing section of the freezing tank, the food is dropped into the holding means in the freezing section from the outside of the freezing tank via the charging port, and is endlessly transported by the driving means. When the means is driven, the holding means attached to the endless transport means moves in the freezing section together with the food, whereby the food is gradually frozen, and the frozen food is dropped out of the freezer through the outlet. The endless transporting means is arranged such that the holding means is tilted below the horizontal plane at the top thereof, so that the food can be transferred from the downwardly tilted holding means without using any special means or mechanism. It rolls down by its own weight, that is, it can be taken out. Therefore, the food can be easily taken in and out, and the food can be frozen sequentially. Also,
In the present invention, it is preferable to have an input port shutter openably and closably mounted on the input port and an outlet shutter openably and closably mounted on the output port. By providing an inlet shutter and an outlet shutter and opening these shutters only when necessary, it is possible to minimize the temperature rise of the freezing medium in the freezer.

Further, according to the present invention, the freezing tank includes a storage portion formed inside the freezing portion, and communication means for communicating the freezing portion and the storage portion, and the communication means is more than the outlet. It is preferably arranged below. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the freezing medium from overflowing from the outlet due to an increase in the mass of the food put into the freezing section. Further, in the present invention, a discharge port formed in the freezing section, a supply port formed in the freezing section, pump means having an inlet and an outlet, and a refrigeration medium housed in the freezing section having an inlet and an outlet A heat exchanger for cooling the refrigeration unit, first piping means communicating the outlet of the freezing unit and the inlet of the pump means, second piping means communicating the outlet of the pump means and the inlet of the heat exchanger,
It is preferable to have third piping means for communicating the outlet of the heat exchanger and the supply port of the refrigeration unit. According to the above configuration, the heated refrigerating medium of the refrigerating unit can be cooled and reused. In addition, the food can be frozen while constantly circulating the freezing medium.

Further, in the present invention, it is preferable to have a first valve provided in the first piping means. Still further, in the present invention, a collection tank provided with an inlet and an outlet, a fourth pipe means for connecting the outlet of the collection tank to the first pipe means between the pump means and the first valve, and a collection tank The fifth pipe means communicating the second pipe means between the pump means and the heat exchanger, the second valve and the third valve provided in the fourth pipe means, and the fifth pipe means. It is preferable to have a fifth valve provided in the second piping means between the fourth valve, the communicating part between the fifth piping means and the second piping means, and the heat exchanger. With the above configuration, the used refrigeration medium can be reused at a later date.

Further, in the present invention, the discharge port formed in the storage section and the discharge port of the storage section are connected to the pump means and the first means.
It is preferable to have a sixth piping means communicating with the first piping means between the valve and a valve, and a sixth valve provided in the sixth piping means. According to this configuration, the refrigeration medium overflowing and stored in the storage section can be reused. Also,
In the present invention, it is preferable that the endless transport means is disposed in a substantially elliptical shape extending vertically when viewed from the side, and is inclined with respect to a vertical plane. Further, it is preferable that the upper arc-shaped portion of the endless conveying means arranged in an almost elliptical shape has a smaller radius of curvature than the lower arc-shaped portion.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to an apparatus for freezing raw ham. Referring to FIG. 1, a continuous refrigeration apparatus generally indicated by reference numeral 1 has a freezer 2. This freezer 2 has a pair of side walls 2A that are substantially elliptical when viewed in FIG. 1, and an outer peripheral wall 2B extending along the outer edge of the side walls between these side walls 2A. Between the side walls 2A, an inner peripheral wall 2C extends substantially in an elliptical shape inside the outer peripheral wall 2B corresponding to the shape of the outer peripheral wall 2B. Therefore, the outer peripheral wall 2B and the side wall 2A
And the inner peripheral wall 2C, a refrigeration unit F for storing a refrigeration medium, for example, alcohol, is formed outside the inner peripheral wall 2C, and the side wall 2A and the inner peripheral wall 2C form the inner peripheral wall 2C.
The storage part R is comprised inside.

As can be clearly seen from FIG.
Arrange the arc-shaped parts that make up the ellipse vertically,
The support frame S is tilted at about 20 degrees with respect to the vertical plane.
It is fixed to the base B by F. The upper arc-shaped portion of the inner peripheral wall 2C has a smaller radius of curvature than the lower arc-shaped portion, and the top is partially cut, that is, cut off. A pair of driving sprockets 3 are provided adjacent to the side walls 2A at the cut-out portion of the upper arcuate portion of the inner peripheral wall 2C, and these driving sprockets 3 are fixed to the driving shaft 4 and the rotation of the driving shaft 4 Thus, the drive shaft 4 rotates about the drive shaft 4. Both ends of the drive shaft 4 are bearings on each side wall 2A, that is, rotatably supported. One end of the drive shaft 4 is sealed and extends through the side wall 2A, and is connected to an output shaft (not shown) of a motor (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 2, a chain roller guide member 5 is attached to each side wall 2A so as to face the inner peripheral wall 2C, and an endless chain is provided between the chain roller guide member 5 and the inner peripheral wall 2C. 6 are arranged, and a part of the endless chain 6 is wound around each drive sprocket 3. Each endless chain 6 includes a plurality of chain pieces 7, and each chain piece 7 has a pair of opposed side walls 7A.
And a pair of connecting shafts 7B fixed to these side walls 7A, and a chain roller 7C rotatably mounted on each of the connecting shafts 7B. With a diameter exceeding The adjacent chain pieces 7 are connected to each other at their ends so as to be rotatable with respect to each other. Endless chain 6
Is provided with a plurality of holding members 8 for holding ham H of raw wood, that is, holding means for holding food. Each holding member 8 is a bottomed member having an upper open end, that is, a plurality of substantially U-shaped support members 8A, and a connecting plate 8 fixed to the bottom of these U-shaped support members 8A.
B. A hanging support bracket 8C is attached to the lower surface of each end of each connecting plate 8B.
Fixed to A. The U-shaped support member 8A includes a connecting plate 8B.
To the vicinity of the outer peripheral wall 2B.

When a prime mover (not shown) is operated, the drive sprockets 3 mounted on the drive shaft 4 rotate, and the endless chains 6 wound around these drive sprockets 3 are rotated.
The chain roller 7C is guided between the chain roller guide member 5 and the inner peripheral wall 2C, and turns around the inner peripheral wall 2C. Thus, the holding member 8 having each end fixed to these endless chains 6 is formed. Also turns around the inner peripheral wall 2C. In addition, the approach movement and the separation movement of the holding member 8 and the endless chain 6 with respect to the side wall 2A of the freezer 2 are performed by abutment between each end of the connecting plate 8B of the holding member 8 and the chain roller guide member 5 of each side wall 2A. Regulated by Referring again to FIG. 1, a front portion of the outer peripheral wall 2 </ b> B of the freezer 2,
That is, the opening shutter 10 is attached to the upper part of the right side portion of the outer peripheral wall 2B when viewed in FIG.
An outlet shutter 11 is openably and closably attached to a front portion of the shutter.

The freezer 2 is located adjacent to the inlet shutter 10.
A charging chute IS, which does not constitute the present invention, is provided outside the box. The input chute IS has a plurality of parallel rollers (not shown), and is inserted into the support member 8A of the holding member 8 in a state inclined upward with respect to the horizontal plane via the input port shutter 10. Roll off ham H of raw wood,
That is, it is inclined downward with respect to the horizontal plane toward the cooling tub 2 so that it can be charged. On the other hand, a take-out chute RS, which also does not constitute the present invention, is provided outside the freezer 2 adjacent to the take-out shutter 11. The take-out chute RS can receive the rolled frozen raw wood ham H from the support member 8A of the holding member 8 inclined downward with respect to the horizontal plane through the take-out shutter 11. And has a plurality of parallel rollers (not shown) and a stopper S provided at an end remote from the outlet shutter 11.

The raw wood ham H to be frozen is placed on the input chute IS, received by the normally closed input port shutter 10, and prevented from being input into the cooling tank 2.
When the support member 8A of the holding member 8 is located at the input position IP facing the input port shutter 10, the input port shutter 10 is opened, whereby the ham H of the raw wood to be frozen is moved from the input chute IS to the holding member 8. Rolls into the supporting member 8A. The raw wood ham H held by the holding member 8 is moved counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 1 along the inner peripheral wall 2C, and is frozen by the freezing medium stored in the freezing unit F. The amount of the freezing medium contained in the freezing section F is set at the set temperature of the freezing medium and the ham H
And the moving (transporting) speed of the holding member 8. Whatever mass of raw wood ham H is put into the freezer 2, in order to prevent the freezing medium contained in the freezing section F from reaching the outlet shutter 11,
In order to reuse the overflowing freezing medium, the inner peripheral wall 2
C, below the outlet shutter 11, the storage portion R
Are provided on the same horizontal plane. Therefore, the refrigeration medium overflowing from the freezing section F beyond the communication port 30 is accumulated in the storage section R through the communication port 30.

When the support member 8A of the holding member 8 for holding the raw wood ham H is moved upward beyond the liquid level L of the freezing medium in the freezing section F, the raw wood ham H held by the support member 8A is appropriately moved. An extraction position RP in a frozen state, in which the holding member 8 faces the normally-closed outlet shutter 11.
, The takeout shutter 11 is opened, whereby the frozen raw wood ham H rolls down from the support member 8A of the holding member 8 at the takeout position RP to the takeout chute RS. In the continuous refrigeration apparatus 1, since the support member 8A of the holding member 8 is tilted downward above the cooling tank 2 in which no refrigeration medium is present, such a configuration can be performed without using any special means or mechanism. The ham of the log can be rolled down by its own weight from the support member 8A inclined downward, that is, it can be taken out.

As shown in FIG. 1, the continuous refrigeration system 1 also has a heat exchanger 20 provided adjacent to the freezer 2 for cooling the refrigerating medium warmed in the freezer 2. . As best seen in FIG. 3, this heat exchanger 2
0 is an outlet port 21 formed in the freezer 2 and connected to the supply port SP communicating with the freezing section F via the pipe C1;
It has an inlet port 22 connected to the outlet P1 of the pump P via a pipe C2, and the pipe C2 is provided with a valve V1. The pump P has an inlet P2, and this inlet P2
Is a discharge port D formed in the freezer 2 and leading to the freezing section F.
P is connected via a pipe C3. In the pipe C3,
A valve V2 is provided near the discharge port DP of the freezer 2 and a filter F is provided between the valve V2 and the inlet P2 of the pump P.
1 is provided.

A pipe C4 is connected to the pipe C3 between the valve V2 and the filter F1, and the other end of the pipe C4 is connected to an outlet RT1 of the recovery tank RT. Piping C
4, a valve V3 is provided near the junction with the pipe C3, and a valve V4 is provided near the outlet RT1 of the recovery tank RT. The recovery tank RT has an entrance RT2 at the top.
Is formed, and the inlet RT2 is connected to the pipe C through the pipe C5.
2 is connected between the valve V1 and the pump P. This pipe C5 has a valve V5 near the joint with the pipe C2.
But also the valve V5 and the inlet RT2 of the recovery tank RT.
And a filter F2. The freezer 2 is further provided with an outlet DP1 communicating with the storage part R, and the outlet DP1 is connected to the pipe C3 via the pipe C6 between the filter F1 and the valve V2. A pipe V6 is provided near the outlet DP1 of the storage section R in the pipe C6.
Is provided.

Next, the operation (operation) of the above embodiment will be described. Prior to freezing raw wood ham by the continuous refrigeration system 1, the freezing medium contained in the recovery tank RT is supplied to the freezing tank 2. In order to supply the freezing medium of the recovery tank RT to the freezing tank 2, first, the valves V1, V3,
Open V4 and close valves V2, V5, V6,
Next, the pump P is operated to remove the refrigeration medium from the collection tank RT to the outlet RT1, the pipes C4, and C4 of the collection tank RT.
3. A predetermined amount is supplied from the supply port SP to the freezing section F of the freezing tank 2 via the pump P, the pipe C2, the heat exchanger 20, and the pipe C1. The refrigeration medium is always filtered by the filter F1 when passing through the pipe C3. When freezing the raw wood ham, the valves V3 and V4 are then closed.

Subsequently, when the ham H of the raw wood to be frozen is placed on the input chute IS, the ham H is received by the input port shutter 10 which is normally closed. Next, the driving sprocket 3 is rotated by operating a motor (not shown), and the holding member 8 is rotated counterclockwise through the endless chain 6 around the inner peripheral wall 2C as viewed in FIG. Then, when the support member 8A of the holding member 8 is located at the input position IP, by opening the input port shutter 10, the ham H of the raw wood of the input chute IS received by the input port shutter 10 is held. Support member 8A
Roll in. In rolling down the ham H of the raw wood to the support member 8A at the input position IP, since the radius of curvature of the upper arc-shaped portion of the inner peripheral wall 2C is smaller than that of the lower arc-shaped portion, the interval between the adjacent support members 8A is: Since it spreads more in the upper arc-shaped portion where the input position IP exists than in the lower arc-shaped portion, it is easier to input the raw wood ham H into the support member 8A.

The ham H of the raw wood held by the holding member 8 is gradually frozen by the freezing medium contained in the freezing section F while being transported in the freezing section F, and the liquid level of the freezing medium in the freezing section F is maintained. Upon exiting L, it is frozen to a temperature optimal for thrashing in a later step. The support member 8A of the holding member 8 for holding the ham H of the raw wood is provided with the liquid surface L
, When it reaches the take-out position RP, the take-out shutter 11 is opened, and the frozen raw ham H is rolled down from the support member 8A of the holding member 8 to the take-out chute RS. The removed frozen ham H is retained in the removal chute RS by the stopper S. Next, the frozen ham H is taken out from the take-out chute RS and subjected to the slicing step. When the ham H of the raw wood is successively put into the support member 8A of the holding member 8 and the liquid level of the refrigeration medium stored in the freezing section F exceeds the level of the communication port 30, the refrigeration medium is connected to the communication port. It flows into the storage part R from 30 and is stored here.

When the temperature of the refrigerating medium in the refrigerating section F of the refrigerating tub 2 rises above a predetermined temperature suitable for freezing the raw wood ham H during the operation of the continuous refrigerating apparatus 1, the valve is closed. Open V2 and operate pump P.
Thereby, the refrigeration medium whose temperature has risen in the freezing section F of the freezer 2 is introduced into the heat exchanger 20 via the outlet DP, the pipe C3, the pump P, and the pipe C2, and the refrigeration medium is appropriately cooled by the heat exchanger 20. After cooling to a predetermined temperature, the cooling water is returned from the supply port SP to the freezing section F of the freezing tank 2 via the pipe C1. When the cooling of the refrigerating medium in the refrigerating unit F is completed, the valve V2 is closed, and the operation of the pump P is stopped. As described above, according to the present continuous refrigeration apparatus, the refrigeration medium once heated can be cooled and reused, thereby being advantageous.

When the operation of freezing raw wood ham by the continuous refrigeration system 1 is completed, the valve P1 is closed and the valves V2 and V5 are opened to operate the pump P. Thereby, the refrigerating medium in the refrigerating section F of the refrigerating tub 2 is discharged to the outlet D
P, the pipe C3, the pump P, and the pipes C2, C5 are collected in the collection tank RT. The continuous refrigeration apparatus is also advantageous in that the used refrigeration medium can be reused at a later date. In addition, water attached to the ham H or contained in the ham is iced by the freezing medium during operation of the apparatus, but according to the present apparatus, the freezing medium is collected in the collection tank RT. As a result, the ice remaining in the freezer 2 can be recovered, and therefore, the freezing medium can be prevented from being diluted. The refrigeration medium stored in the storage unit R is opened by opening the valve V6 to cool the refrigeration medium whose temperature has risen in the refrigeration unit F, if necessary, or at the end of the operation. Discharge port DP
1. Introduced into the pipe C3 via the pipe C6, returned to the freezing section F together with the freezing medium of the freezing section F, or collected in the collecting tank RT. Therefore, according to the present continuous refrigeration apparatus, there is an advantage that the refrigeration medium overflowing and stored in the storage section R can be reused.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but allows various modifications as described below. For example, in the above embodiment, the opening and closing of the inlet shutter 10 and the outlet shutter 11, and the valves V1 to V6
Although the opening and closing of the work are configured to be performed manually, these works may be performed by machine control. For example, a position sensor that detects that the support member 8A of the holding member 8 is located at the input position IP and the output position RP, a shutter driving unit that opens and closes the input port shutter 10 and the output port shutter 11, and a position sensor. A shutter control device for receiving a signal and driving a shutter driving unit based on the signal may be provided. Similarly, a valve driving means for opening and closing the valves V1 to V6 and a valve control device for controlling these may be provided. Further, a measuring device for measuring the temperature of the refrigerating medium of the refrigerating unit F is provided, and the measuring device is connected to the valve control device. The valve driving means may be controlled so that V2 is automatically opened and the valve is automatically closed when the refrigerating medium of the refrigerating unit F is cooled to a predetermined temperature.

In the above embodiment, the support member 8A of the holding member 8 is tilted downward at the upper part of the cooling tank 2 so that the raw wood ham can be taken out of the support member 8A by its own weight. For this purpose, the freezer 2 has an elliptical shape extending in the vertical direction, and has a vertical plane of about 2 mm.
Although the configuration is such that the support member 8A of the holding member 8 can be tilted downward in the upper part of the cooling tub 2 in the present invention, for example, the cooling tub 2 and, in particular, the freezing section F may be configured such that the top and bottom are formed in an inverted L-shape, and the endless chain and the support member 8A of the holding member 8 fixed thereto are moved along the inverted L-shape. In the case of the inverted L-shaped cooling tank 2, an outlet shutter 11 is provided on the lower surface of a portion extending laterally in the upper part of the cooling tank. At this time, the take-out chute RS includes a sloped roller portion positioned below the outlet shutter 11, a horizontal roller portion following the sloped portion, and a stopper provided at an end of the horizontal roller portion separated from the sloped roller portion. It is good to consist of

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the support member 8
Although A is U-shaped, the support member 8A may be a bottomed member having an open upper end, for example, an upper open end having a side wall surrounding all sides of the food and a bottom wall. The supporting member 8A may be constituted by the perforated basket-shaped member provided.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a food freezing apparatus which can easily take out and take in food and can freeze food sequentially.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a continuous refrigeration apparatus for food according to the present invention, showing a freezer in cross section.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged schematic view showing a connection state between a holding member and an endless chain of the refrigeration apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a route of a refrigerating medium of the refrigerating apparatus shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Continuous refrigeration apparatus 2 Freezer C Refrigeration part 3 Drive sprocket 4 Drive shaft 5 Chain roller guide member 6 Endless chain 8 Holding member 8A Support member

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A freezing tank provided with a freezing unit for storing a freezing medium, an endless conveying unit provided in the freezing unit, a driving unit for driving the endless conveying unit, and the endless conveying unit. And a holding means for holding food, comprising a bottomed member having an upper open end attached to the endless transporting means, wherein the upper end of the holding means has an upper open end at an upper part thereof. The refrigerator is disposed so as to have a region that is tilted below a horizontal plane, and the freezing tank is used to drop food to be frozen into the holding unit from outside the freezing tank via the upper open end. A mouth, and an outlet for dropping the frozen food from the holding means to the outside of the freezer via the upper open end portion, wherein the holding means is configured such that the holding means is higher than the horizontal plane. Can also be tilted down The food refrigeration apparatus, wherein the food inlet port is positioned in the area above the endless transporting means, and the input port is positioned in an area of the endless transporting means in which the holding means is tilted above the horizontal plane. 2. The food refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an inlet shutter openably and closably attached to said inlet, and an outlet shutter slidably mounted on said outlet. 3. The freezing tank includes a storage portion formed inside the freezing portion, and communication means for communicating the freezing portion with the storage portion, wherein the communication means is located below the outlet. The food refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the food refrigeration apparatus is disposed at a location. 4. A refrigeration unit accommodated in the refrigeration unit, comprising a discharge port formed in the refrigeration unit, a supply port formed in the refrigeration unit, a pump having an inlet and an outlet, and an inlet and an outlet. A heat exchanger for cooling a medium; first piping means for communicating an outlet of the refrigeration unit with an inlet of the pump means; second piping for communicating an outlet of the pump means and an inlet of the heat exchanger. The food refrigeration apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: means, and third piping means for communicating an outlet of the heat exchanger and a supply port of the refrigeration unit. 5. The food freezing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a first valve provided in said first piping means. 6. A recovery tank provided with an inlet and an outlet, a fourth pipe means for connecting an outlet of the recovery tank to the first pipe means between the pump means and the first valve, and the recovery means. Fifth piping means for communicating the inlet of the tank with the second piping means between the pump means and the heat exchanger; a second valve and a third valve provided in the fourth piping means; A fifth valve provided in the second piping means, between a fourth valve provided in the fifth piping means, a communication part between the fifth piping means and the second piping means, and the heat exchanger; The food refrigeration apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5, comprising: 7. A discharge port formed in the storage section, a sixth pipe means for connecting the discharge port of the storage section to the first pipe means between the pump means and the first valve, The food freezing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a sixth valve provided in the sixth piping means. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the endless conveying means is disposed in a substantially elliptical shape extending in a vertical direction when viewed from a side, and is inclined with respect to a vertical plane. The food freezing device according to any one of the preceding claims. 9. The food freezing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein an upper arc-shaped portion of the substantially elliptical endless conveying means has a smaller radius of curvature than a lower arc-shaped portion.