JP2008116069A - Device for freezing food into disengaged state - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a freezing device for easily performing a process for freezing food composed of collection of sticky small pieces such as minced meat and rice into a disengaged state at home. <P>SOLUTION: The air in a sealed food container provided with a suction opening is sucked and discharged by a vacuum pump 8 and an opening and closing valve in a food freezing process to change a pressure state and to freeze the food composed of collection of small pieces into a disengaged state. The inside of the container 5 is deaerated by the vacuum pump 8 into a decompressed state, so that the effect of removing moisture on a surface of the food 3 and the effect of increasing voids among the small pieces of food 3 can be obtained. Further by opening the opening and closing valve, an atmospheric pressure of the sealed container is introduced, sudden convection flow is generated in a gas space kept into contact with the food 3, and a wind pressure is applied to the food 3, thus the food can be frozen to a prescribed freezing temperature in a disengaged state. Thus the disengaged-state frozen food can be easily obtained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a freezing method capable of freezing in a state where each small piece is separated in a food in which small pieces having stickiness at normal temperature are gathered, such as minced meat and rice.

  In recent years, with the increase in dual-income families and nuclear families accompanying the advancement of women into society, the frequency of using freezer rooms that can store fresh foods and cooked foods in the long-term has increased. The points that users feel dissatisfied with frozen storage include lack of capacity and slow freezing or deterioration of food taste due to frosting, along with these, frozen foods stick together and use in small amounts Many users are dissatisfied with the difficulty.

  In particular, for foods made up of sticky pieces such as minced meat and rice, the water molecules between the pieces became ice by freezing them in a lump, and the pieces were firmly bonded to each other. For this reason, in order to use such foods little by little after freezing, it takes time and effort to wrap the foods in wraps or the like before freezing or to thaw each time they are used.

  Therefore, in order to prevent foods from sticking to each other and freeze, some food manufacturers use a freezing method as shown in Patent Document 1 (see Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 3 shows a conventional rose freezing apparatus. As shown in FIG. 3, mince forming means 101 that maintains the product temperature between 0 ° C. and −10 ° C. to make mince, and minced food 102 is rotated and stirred together with dry ice snow 103 to freeze in a rose shape. A rotating drum 104 as a product, a conveyor 106 for supplying minced food to the inside from the inlet 105 of the rotating drum, and a minced food conveyed on the conveyor or the minced food and the rotating drum in dry ice snow And a dry ice maker 107 for supplying

With such a freezing device, the roses of minced food were frozen and widely supplied to consumers.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-250614

  However, the above-described conventional configuration can freeze the minced food in a rose, but the apparatus is complicated, large-scale, and expensive. There is a need for a freezing apparatus that can easily and automatically perform freezing of roses at home, which solves such problems. The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides a food freezing method or an apparatus thereof capable of freezing roses easily and automatically in a frozen food manufacturer as well as at home. is there.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, in the rose freezing apparatus for food of the present invention, in the food consisting of small pieces of aggregate, in any process until the food reaches a predetermined freezing temperature, A control device for changing the pressure of the gas space in contact therewith is provided.

  When the gas space in contact with food is depressurized, the amount of saturated water vapor in the gas space increases, and the vaporization of moisture on the surface of the small piece of food is promoted. This reduces the amount of ice that adheres small pieces of food during freezing. Moreover, the food expand | swells at the time of pressure reduction, the effect that the space | gap between the small pieces of adjacent foodstuff increases is acquired, and the adhesiveness of the small pieces with adhesiveness falls. By introducing or pressurizing the atmospheric pressure in such a state, a rapid air convection occurs in the gas space in contact with the food, and the wind pressure makes it possible to break the food made up of small pieces. By repeating such a pressure fluctuation process in the freezing process, it is possible to freeze the food consisting of small pieces to a predetermined freezing temperature in a state of being separated.

  The rose freezing apparatus for food of the present invention is a food in which small pieces having stickiness at room temperature, such as minced meat and rice, are cumbersome or difficult to freeze at ordinary households. It is possible to freeze a small piece group that is easily and automatically subdivided. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a frozen food that can be taken out and used in small amounts while omitting the steps of subdividing before freezing and thawing / refreezing after freezing.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a food processing chamber formed in a heat insulating compartment, a cooling means for cooling the food processing chamber, a vacuum container having a sealed structure provided in the food processing chamber, and the vacuum container Pressure fluctuation means for fluctuating the pressure of the gas space inside, and at least a part of the process of cooling the food consisting of a collection of small pieces housed in the vacuum container until a predetermined freezing temperature is reached In the above, when the pressure variation means is used to vary the pressure of the gas space in contact with the food by the pressure fluctuation means, when the pressure of the gas space in contact with the food in the vacuum vessel is reduced by the pressure fluctuation means, the saturated water vapor amount in the gas space And the vaporization of moisture on the surface of the small piece of food is promoted.

  This reduces the amount of ice that adheres small pieces of food during freezing. Moreover, the effect that the space | gap between the inside small pieces of foodstuffs or adjacent small pieces increases at the time of pressure reduction is acquired, and the adhesiveness of the small pieces with adhesiveness falls. In such a state, by introducing or pressurizing the atmospheric pressure into the vacuum vessel by the pressure fluctuation means, by repeating such pressure fluctuation processing in the freezing process, the food made of small pieces is separated in a predetermined state. It becomes possible to freeze to the freezing temperature. In addition, for foods that are a collection of minced meat, rice, and other sticky pieces that are sticky at room temperature, a group of small pieces that are troublesome or difficult to freeze in a normal home can be easily and automatically used. It can be frozen in subdivided state. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a frozen food that can be taken out and used in small amounts while omitting the steps of subdividing before freezing and thawing / refreezing after freezing.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the pressure fluctuation means comprises a pressure reducing means for reducing the pressure inside the vacuum vessel and an atmospheric pressure introducing means for introducing the atmospheric pressure into the vacuum vessel. It has been done. Thereby, it becomes possible to achieve simplification and space saving of the freezing apparatus by making the pressure fluctuation into these two steps.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the decompression means includes a deaeration port provided in a part of the vacuum container, and a vacuum for degassing the air in the vacuum container. A pump, a deaeration port, a deaeration pipe disposed between the vacuum pumps, a first on-off valve provided in the deaeration pipe, and air deaerated by the vacuum pump are exhausted to the outside. It is comprised from exhaust piping. Thereby, the inside of a vacuum container can be deaerated in a short time with a vacuum pump, and the depressurization state in a vacuum container can be adjusted with the 1st on-off valve after deaeration according to the foodstuff to process.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air introduction means is an air introduction pipe, an air introduction port provided in a part of the vacuum vessel, It is comprised from the 2nd on-off valve provided in the middle path | route of the air | atmosphere introduction pipe | tube. As a result, a second on-off valve is opened in the vacuum container in a reduced pressure state, and by introducing or pressurizing atmospheric pressure from the air inlet, rapid air convection occurs in the gas space in contact with the food. It becomes possible to break up food made of small pieces.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 4, wherein the air introduction pipe is formed by a branch of the deaeration pipe, and the air introduction port and the deaeration port are made the same part. A simple structure and space saving are possible.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first on-off valve is a check valve, so that only deaeration is performed from the check valve which is the first on-off valve. Since the sealed state can be maintained, the valve can be opened and closed only by the second on-off valve, and simpler valve control is possible.

The invention according to claim 7 is the gas according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the amount of air flowing in from the air inlet is 0.15 m ³ / min or more, so that the gas is in contact with food. Abrupt air convection occurs in the space, and the wind pressure makes it possible to break up foods made up of small pieces.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a pressure sensor for detecting pressure, a temperature sensor for detecting temperature, and the pressure disposed in the vacuum vessel are provided. By having a sensor and a control means for controlling the pressure and temperature in the vacuum vessel with a signal detected by the temperature sensor, the signal of the pressure sensor is changed until the temperature detected by the temperature sensor reaches a predetermined freezing temperature. Thus, the inside of the vacuum container is controlled with a predetermined pressure fluctuation, and the pressure fluctuation processing can be automatically repeated on the food.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 8, wherein the process until reaching the predetermined freezing temperature refers to a case where the temperature of the food is in a range of 10 ° C to -20 ° C. Is.

  Among them, when the temperature of the food is 10 ° C. to 0 ° C., that is, when the food is in an unfrozen state, the space in contact with the food is depressurized, so that evaporation of excess water around the food is easier and faster than in the frozen state. This makes it possible to efficiently remove moisture. Moreover, since the water | moisture content between the small pieces of food is not frozen, adhesive force is low and the space | gap between small pieces can be increased by pressure reduction. By applying air due to pressure fluctuations in this state, it is possible to separate the food pieces with less energy than when the food is in a frozen state. Therefore, the effect of improving the looseness of the food can be obtained.

  In addition, when the temperature of the food is between 0 ° C. and −10 ° C., the food is in a slightly frozen state and can be easily loosened by hand. In addition, since food freezes from the surface, the food surface is covered with an ice film, and the food-specific tackiness is reduced.

  By performing the decompression process in this state, sublimation of the ice film on the surface of the food occurs, and the ice that adheres the small pieces can be removed. Therefore, the food in a slightly frozen state is easily broken.

  In addition, the pressure fluctuation treatment reduces the adhesiveness of the food surface, so that not only is the looseness when air is applied good, but the loose foods are again brought into contact with water droplets on the surface. It is possible to prevent freezing in a bonded state.

  Therefore, it is possible to provide a frozen food having a good variation property with a smaller number of pressure fluctuations.

  Further, when the temperature of the food is −10 ° C. to −20 ° C., that is, when the freezing rate of the food is about 90% or more, the appearance looks almost entirely frozen. However, even in such a state, if the food temperature fluctuates due to factors such as opening and closing the door, frost is generated on the food surface and the frozen food refreezes. Can prevent re-freezing of broken food.

  The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to claim 8, wherein the pressure fluctuation step is performed even after the temperature of the food reaches the predetermined freezing temperature.

  Rose frozen foods are stored at a predetermined freezing temperature, but may be partially melted under the influence of temperature fluctuations associated with door opening / closing and refrigerator defrosting during long-term storage. The melted foods adhere to each other and are re-frozen so that the looseness is impaired. Therefore, it is possible to prevent adhesion of the frozen food by adding the pressure fluctuation process even after reaching the predetermined freezing temperature.

  As a result, the frozen food can be kept in a broken state for a long time.

  The invention according to claim 11 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the inside of the vacuum vessel is water-repellent processed.

  Thereby, it becomes possible to prevent adhesion of a small piece of highly sticky food to the inside of the vacuum container. Therefore, the dispersibility can be increased.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the conventional example or the embodiments described above, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a freezing apparatus in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a case 4 that is pulled out by a door 2 and stores food 3 therein and a lid 5 that seals the case 4 when the door 2 is closed are provided inside the main body 1. ing. The joint between the case 4 and the lid 5 is provided with a packing (not shown), and the door 2 is in a closed state so that the internal vacuum is maintained when the inside of the case 4 is decompressed. Yes.

  The lid 5 is instructed and fixed in the main body 1 by a stopper (not shown), and when the user pulls out the door 2, only the case 4 is pulled out with the top opened. In addition, the food 3 placed in the case 4 is placed in a state where it is placed in a food container 6 made of, for example, foamed resin, having an upper opening.

  A deaeration pipe 9 is connected to the lid 5 at a deaeration port 7 for sucking the air in the case 4 with the introduction portion sealed by welding or a sealing material so that there is no leakage from the case 4. The deaeration pipe 9 connects the case 4 and a vacuum pump 8 that depressurizes the inside of the case 4, and a first on-off valve 10 is provided on the way between the case 4 and the vacuum pump 8, and the air in the case 4 The amount of suction is adjusted. The exhaust pipe 11 connected to the vacuum pump 8 discharges air sucked from the case 4 by the vacuum pump 8.

  Further, the deaeration pipe 9 branches in the middle of the first on-off valve 10 and the case 4, and a second on-off valve 12 is provided in the branch pipe. When the inside of the case 4 is in a depressurized state, the second on-off valve 12 can adjust the amount of air flowing into the case 4 to change the pressure in the case 4 to atmospheric pressure.

  The operations of the pump 8, the first on-off valve 10, and the second on-off valve 12 are controlled by the control device 21 by the pressure sensor 19 in the case 4.

  The main body 1 has a cooling cycle for cooling the inside of the case 4. The cooling cycle includes a compressor, a condenser, and a capillary tube (not shown), and has a structure in which the inside of the case 4 can be cooled by the forced convection evaporator 13. The cold air cooled by the forced convection evaporator 13 is forced through the main body 1 by the blower 14. A damper thermo 15 provided between the blower 14 and the main body adjusts the amount of cold air flowing into the main body 1, and receives the electric input from the main body switch, the temperature sensor 20, etc., and the driving force of the motor 16. The damper thermo 15 is configured to open and close.

  The cold air supplied from such a refrigeration apparatus is supplied to the inside of the main body 1 from the blowout port 17 and gradually cools the inside from the outer periphery of the case 4 by indirect cooling. The cool air supplied from the blowout port 17 and having cooled the outer periphery of the case 4 is returned to the cooler through the suction duct 18 joined to the main body 1, cooled again, and supplied into the main body 1. In this embodiment, the refrigeration cycle is formed in this way.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the freezing apparatus in the present embodiment.

  Operation | movement of the freezing apparatus of this Embodiment is demonstrated along FIG.

  First, the process until the food 3 is charged will be described. In general, in the case of minced meat etc., when food is sold at stores such as supermarkets, it is put in a foamed resin container, and the upper part is covered with polyethylene wrap, before being put in the freezing device Leave this wrap removed. In addition, if it is food 3 such as rice, it is put in a food container 6 such as a tapper and the lid is removed. The door 2 is pulled out, and the food container 6 containing the food 3 is installed in the case 4. At the same time as the door 2 is completely closed, the lid 5 in the main body 1 covers the case, and a sealed structure is formed by packing or the like.

  Next, when the user presses the start button, the operation of the refrigeration cycle, the start of the operation of the vacuum pump 8, the opening of the first on-off valve 10, and the closing of the second on-off valve 12 are performed by the control device 21. As a result, the air in the case 4 is sucked out from the deaeration pipe 9 connected to the lid 5, passes through the opened first on-off valve 10, and is sucked into the vacuum pump 8. Starts to be reduced. The air sucked into the vacuum pump 8 passes through the exhaust pipe 11 and is released to the outside air. At this time, since the second on-off valve 12 is in a closed state, air in the case 4 does not leak through the second on-off valve 12 and outside air does not flow into the case 4. Further, when the operation of the refrigeration cycle is started and the compressor, the condenser, and the capillary tube are operated, the cold air cooled by the forced convection evaporator 13 is forcibly ventilated into the main body 1 by the blower 14. Immediately after the start of cooling, the damper thermo 15 is opened to the maximum, but when the temperature sensor 20 detects that the inside of the case 4 or the food has reached a predetermined freezing temperature of −18 ° C., it is input from the control device 21. The opening degree becomes small. The cold air supplied by such a refrigeration cycle is supplied into the main body 1 from the blowout port 17 and gradually cools the inside from the outer periphery of the case 4 by indirect cooling. Thereby, the food 3 stored in the case 4 is quickly cooled, and is stored frozen at a constant temperature after reaching −18 ° C. Further, the cold air supplied from the outlet and having cooled the outer periphery of the case 4 is returned to the cooler through the suction duct 18 joined to the main body 1, cooled again, and then supplied into the main body 1.

  When the pressure sensor 19 detects that the pressure inside the case 4 has been reduced to a predetermined pressure, the vacuum pump 8 is stopped and the first on-off valve 10 is closed through the control device 21. As a result, the inside of the case 4 having a completely sealed structure is maintained in a predetermined reduced pressure state.

  In this state, first, if the food 3 is not frozen, water drops and moisture adhering to the periphery of the food 3 are generated due to the reduced pressure in the case 4. The water | moisture content which becomes can be removed, and the foodstuff 3 will be in the state which is hard to stick. Moreover, although the foodstuff 3 consists of an aggregate | assembly of a several small piece, the expansion | swelling of an aggregate arises by pressure reduction, and the effect that the space | gap diameter between each small piece increases is acquired. As a result, the adhesiveness between the small pieces can be reduced, and the state can be easily broken.

  Even when the food 3 is frozen, if the product temperature is 0 ° C. or lower, the food 3 is slightly frozen or frozen, and can be easily loosened by hand. Further, since the freezing of the food 3 occurs from the surface, the surface of the food 3 is covered with an ice film, and the stickiness peculiar to the food 3 is reduced.

  By performing the decompression process in this state, the ice film on the surface of the food 3 is sublimated, and the ice adhering the small pieces can be removed. Therefore, the ease of variation can be improved by this decompression step.

  Subsequently, the arrival of a predetermined pressure inside the case 4 is detected, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, an input is generated from the control device 21, the second on-off valve 12 is opened, and the inside of the case 4 is removed from the deaeration pipe 9. Rapid introduction of outside air occurs. The outside air introduced at this time causes convection of the air layer in the case 4, and the food 3 that has received the convection is separated into small pieces or small pieces by the wind pressure.

  Thereafter, if the food temperature sensor 20 can detect that the food 3 has reached a predetermined freezing temperature, the operation of the freezing device is completed, and the food can be stored at the predetermined freezing temperature. If the predetermined freezing temperature has not been reached, the depressurization step and the atmospheric pressure introduction step are repeated several times in the freezing step.

  This is the end of the operation of the freezing apparatus. In this freezing apparatus, it is assumed that the temperature when the processed food is charged is 10 ° C., and the predetermined freezing temperature is −20 ° C., which is the freezing temperature of a household refrigerator, but is not particularly limited thereto. .

  That is, the temperature at the time of feeding food may be higher than 10 ° C, and the final freezing temperature may be lower than -20 ° C. In many cases, the temperature is higher than 10 ° C. in the course of the temperature after the purchase of the food. On the other hand, in order to improve the freezing quality, the freezing temperature may be lowered to −30 ° C. or lower. Although it is desirable that the temperature range for imparting pressure fluctuation is generally within the range of 10 ° C. to −20 ° C., depending on the characteristics of the target food, a certain effect may be exhibited at temperatures outside this range. What is necessary is just to define a processing temperature range according to the suitability for every foodstuff.

  After freezing, take out the food together with the food container 6, put it in a plastic bag for storage at home, and store it in the refrigerator as it is. For business use, store it in a frozen temperature atmosphere after packing. Or it is desirable to be transported to restaurants. As a result, the frozen state can be maintained even during storage.

  Further, it can be stored in the freezing apparatus as it is, and after the food 3 reaches a predetermined freezing temperature, the inside of the case 4 is maintained at the predetermined freezing temperature and the reduced pressure state, and is longer than that during the freezing process. The pressure fluctuation process can be applied at intervals such as once a day. The frozen food 3 may be partially melted due to the opening and closing of the door 2 and the temperature fluctuation of the freezing apparatus during long-term storage, and the thawed food 3 adheres and is re-frozen. As a result, the looseness is impaired. Therefore, it is possible to prevent reattachment of the frozen food 3 by maintaining the reduced pressure state even after reaching the predetermined freezing temperature and adding the pressure fluctuation process.

  Thereby, the food 3 frozen in rose can be maintained in a good frozen state in the long term.

  The food 3 obtained in this way has a large surface area and is susceptible to oxidation. However, storage under reduced pressure reduces the absolute amount of oxygen that comes into contact with the food. Since the discoloration due to frozen discoloration and the formation of myoglobin is suppressed, the flavor and appearance quality can be maintained and stored for a long time.

  Furthermore, by performing a decompression process in the freezing process and removing excess water adhering to the periphery of the food 3, the frozen food 3 is not frosted and has a very excellent appearance. In addition, the amount of water is lower than the normal freezing method, and the water distribution is uniform, so the time required for thawing is shorter than usual, and the microwaves are evenly distributed when thawing in a microwave oven. Irradiation makes it difficult to cause thawing unevenness and cooking. Thus, by freezing with the freezing apparatus of this Embodiment, the effect which improves the preservation | save quality and thawing | decompression quality of frozen food is acquired.

  Further, even if moisture is blown off by repeated decompression, since the case 4 is in an airtight container, the amount of water vapor in the case 4 is saturated immediately, so that the food 3 is not excessively dried.

  In the present embodiment, the electric vacuum pump 8 is used as the pressure reducing means, but these are not particularly specified. For example, it is possible to reduce the pressure by using a manual pump or by providing an oxygen adsorbent or a nitrogen adsorbent. Moreover, it is also possible to use the pump 8 and the gas adsorbent in combination, thereby complementing the deterioration of the performance with time of the pump 8 and the adsorbent, so that the refrigeration apparatus can be used for a long time.

  As described above, in the freezing apparatus of the present embodiment, in the process of freezing the food 3, the cycle of decompression and air introduction is repeatedly applied to the atmosphere in contact with the food 3 several times. Thereby, it becomes possible to freeze the lump of the foodstuff 3 to the broken state, and it becomes possible to maintain the broken state for a long term by applying pressure fluctuation during storage.

  Therefore, the frozen food 3 can be taken out and used for cooking and the like, and the usability can be greatly improved by a simpler method than before.

  Moreover, although it does not specify in particular about the predetermined pressure in a pressure reduction process, by making it 0.08 to 0.03 Mpa from atmospheric pressure, sufficient water removal effect, the space | gap increase effect between foodstuffs by expansion, atmospheric pressure It is possible to obtain a loose effect at the time of introduction.

The amount of air flowing into the atmosphere varies depending on the type and amount of food to be processed. For example, when the volume of the sealed container is about 5 L, the inside of the sealed container is about 0.15 m ³ / min or more. The convection of the air layer occurs, and the food can be broken.

  Hereinafter, an example of the pressure fluctuation cycle for each food temperature when the food is frozen by the freezing apparatus of the present embodiment will be shown.

  (Table 1) shows the number of pressure fluctuation cycles consisting of a decompression step and an atmospheric pressure introduction step in each temperature zone in the freezing process of the food 3. The temperature of the food 3 is detected by a food temperature sensor.

  In Example 1, it is performed 4 times when the temperature of the food 3 is 0 ° C. or higher, 2 times when the temperature is 0 ° C. to −10 ° C., and 2 times when the temperature is −10 ° C. to −20 ° C.

  The method of increasing the number of pressure fluctuations when the temperature of the food 3 is 0 ° C. or higher, that is, in a non-freezing state, is suitable for the food 3 with low tackiness, and by adding a large pressure fluctuation in the non-freezing state, The dispersibility can be easily increased. Moreover, since pressure reduction is smoothly performed by adding a pressure fluctuation in the state where food 3 temperature is comparatively high, the impossibility to the pump 8 is reduced.

  Moreover, rice is mentioned as the foodstuff 3 to which the method of a present Example is suitable specifically. Rice is a highly sticky food 3, but aging progresses between 20 ° C and 0 ° C, resulting in a decrease in stickiness, so by applying many pressure fluctuations at temperatures above 0 ° C It is possible to efficiently break up.

  In Example 2, it is performed twice when the temperature of the food 3 is 0 ° C. or more, four times when the temperature is from 0 ° C. to −10 ° C., and twice when the temperature is −10 ° C. to −20 ° C.

  The method of increasing the number of pressure fluctuations when the temperature of the food 3 is in a slightly frozen state of 0 ° C. to −10 ° C. is suitable for food 3 such as meat and fish with high adhesiveness and relatively weak cell strength. . In the non-frozen state, the water content of the food can be removed by reducing the number of fluctuations and increasing the decompression time. And the foodstuff 3 can be efficiently disperse | distributed by adding many frequency of pressure fluctuations in the micro freezing state of 0 degreeC to -10 degreeC in which adhesiveness fell. In addition, although the food is almost in a state of -10 ° C or higher, pressure fluctuation is performed between -10 ° C and the freezing temperature of -20 ° C in order to prevent sticking due to generation of frost. It is good.

  For example, when the food 3 with high adhesiveness such as minced meat is subjected to an impact due to pressure fluctuation at 0 ° C. or higher, the tissue may be destroyed and the viscosity may increase. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently disperse the pressure by applying the pressure fluctuation in the slightly frozen state.

(Embodiment 2)
Embodiment 2 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the same structure as Embodiment 1, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the rose freezing apparatus in the present embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the lid 5 is provided with an air introduction port 22 in addition to the deaeration port 7 in the sealed container, and is welded or sealed to prevent leakage from the case 4. The atmosphere introduction pipe 23 is sealed and connected. A second on-off valve 12 is provided in the midway path of the air introduction pipe 23.

  As described above, the rose freezing apparatus according to the present embodiment can reduce the diameter of the air introduction port to a size corresponding to the optimum air introduction amount by separating the deaeration route and the air introduction route, and at the same time, By setting the diameter of the tube to a size suitable for the capacity of the vacuum pump, the burden on the vacuum pump can be reduced, the service life can be extended, and the vacuum pump can be downsized.

(Embodiment 3)
Embodiment 3 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the same structure as Embodiment 1 and 2, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  4 is a cross-sectional view of the rose freezing apparatus according to the present embodiment, FIG. 5 is a front view of the lid seal portion, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the lid seal portion, and FIG. .

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, an iron plate in which a check valve 24 is incorporated in the upper part of the main body 1 in order to deaerate air in the case 4 from the lid 5. 25 is installed. The check valve 24 is a resin sheet having excellent adhesion such as silicon, and several vent holes 26 are provided so as to be located outside the outer diameter of the deaeration port 7.

  The magnet 27 has a structure in which the deaeration pipe 9 penetrates through the center, and the plate 25 is attached and detached.

  The food container 6 is a metal or resin container having a water repellent treated surface, and has a round bottom.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the rose freezing apparatus in the present embodiment.

  The operation of the rose freezing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the process until the food 3 is charged will be described. The food is put into a dedicated container (food container) 6 and the door 2 is completely closed. At the same time, the lid 5 in the main body 1 covers the case, and a sealed structure is formed by packing or the like.

  Next, when the user presses the start button, the operation of the refrigeration cycle, the start of the operation of the pump 8 and the turning off of the magnet 27 are performed by the control device 21. As a result, air in the case 4 is sucked out from the plurality of vent holes 26 of the check valve 24 through the deaeration pipe 9 connected to the lid 5, and sucked into the pump 8, and pressure reduction in the case 4 starts. . The air sucked into the pump 8 passes through the exhaust pipe 11 and is released to the outside air. Further, when the operation of the refrigeration cycle is started and the compressor, the condenser, and the capillary tube are operated, the cold air cooled by the forced convection evaporator 13 is forcibly ventilated into the main body 1 by the blower 14. Immediately after the start of cooling, the damper thermo 15 is opened to the maximum, but when the temperature sensor 20 detects that the inside of the case 4 or the food has reached a predetermined freezing temperature of −18 ° C., it is input from the control device 21. The opening degree becomes small. The cold air supplied by such a refrigeration cycle is supplied into the main body 1 from the blowout port 17 and gradually cools the inside from the outer periphery of the case 4 by indirect cooling. Thereby, the food 3 stored in the case 4 is quickly cooled, and is stored frozen at a constant temperature after reaching −18 ° C. The cold air supplied from the outlet and having cooled the outer periphery of the case 4 is returned to the cooler through the suction duct 17 joined to the main body 1, cooled again, and supplied into the main body 1.

  Then, when the pressure sensor 19 detects that the pressure inside the case 4 has been reduced to a predetermined pressure, the pump 8 is stopped through the control device 21. As a result, the inside 4 of the case is depressurized, the vent hole 26 of the check valve 24 is closed by the lid 5, and no outside air flows from the outside. As a result, the inside of the case 4 having a completely sealed structure is maintained in a predetermined reduced pressure state.

  In this state, first, if the food 3 is not frozen, water drops and moisture adhering to the periphery of the food 3 are generated due to the reduced pressure in the case 4. The water | moisture content which becomes can be removed, and the foodstuff 3 will be in the state which is hard to stick. Moreover, although the foodstuff 3 consists of an aggregate | assembly of a several small piece, the expansion | swelling of an aggregate arises by pressure reduction, and the effect that the space | gap diameter between each small piece increases is acquired. As a result, the adhesiveness between the small pieces can be reduced, and the state can be easily broken.

  Even when the food 3 is frozen, if the product temperature is 0 ° C. or lower, the food 3 is slightly frozen or frozen, and can be easily loosened by hand. Further, since the freezing of the food 3 occurs from the surface, the surface of the food 3 is covered with an ice film, and the stickiness peculiar to the food 3 is reduced.

  By performing the decompression process in this state, the ice film on the surface of the food 3 is sublimated, and the ice adhering the small pieces can be removed. Therefore, the ease of variation can be improved by this decompression step.

  Subsequently, the arrival of a predetermined pressure inside the case 4 is detected, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, an input is generated from the control device 21, the magnet 27 is turned on, the plate 25 is attracted, and a check valve is accordingly attached. 24 is peeled off from the lid 5, and sudden introduction of outside air into the case 4 occurs from the deaeration port 7 of the lid 5. The outside air introduced at this time causes convection of the air layer in the case 4 along the bottom shape of the dedicated container (food container) 6, and the food 3 that has received the convection is broken into small pieces or small pieces by the wind pressure. It becomes a state.

  Thereafter, if the food temperature sensor 20 can detect that the food 3 has reached a predetermined freezing temperature, the operation of the freezing device is completed, and the food can be stored at the predetermined freezing temperature. If the predetermined freezing temperature has not been reached, the depressurization step and the atmospheric pressure introduction step are repeated several times in the freezing step.

  This is the end of the operation of the freezing apparatus. In this freezing apparatus, the predetermined freezing temperature is set to −20 ° C., which is the freezing temperature of a household refrigerator, but is not particularly specified.

  After freezing, take out the food together with the food container 6, put it in a plastic bag for storage at home, and store it in the refrigerator as it is. For business use, store it in a frozen temperature atmosphere after packing. Or it is desirable to be transported to restaurants. As a result, the frozen state can be maintained even during storage.

  Further, it can be stored in the freezing apparatus as it is, and after the food 3 reaches a predetermined freezing temperature, the inside of the case 4 is maintained at the predetermined freezing temperature and the reduced pressure state, and is longer than that during the freezing process. The pressure fluctuation process can be applied at intervals such as once a day. The frozen food 3 may be partially melted due to the opening and closing of the door 2 and the temperature fluctuation of the freezing apparatus during long-term storage, and the thawed food 3 adheres and is re-frozen. As a result, the looseness is impaired. Therefore, it is possible to prevent reattachment of the frozen food 3 by maintaining the reduced pressure state even after reaching the predetermined freezing temperature and adding the pressure fluctuation process.

  Thereby, the food 3 frozen in rose can be maintained in a good frozen state in the long term.

  The food 3 obtained in this way has a large surface area and is susceptible to oxidation. However, storage under reduced pressure reduces the absolute amount of oxygen that touches the food. Since the discoloration due to the frozen discoloration due to the coloration and the color change due to the formation of myoglobin is suppressed, the flavor and appearance quality can be maintained and stored for a long time.

  Furthermore, by performing a decompression process in the freezing process and removing excess water adhering to the periphery of the food 3, the frozen food 3 is not frosted and has a very excellent appearance. In addition, the amount of water is lower than the normal freezing method, and the water distribution is uniform, so the time required for thawing is shorter than usual, and the microwaves are evenly distributed when thawing in a microwave oven. Irradiation makes it difficult to cause thawing unevenness and cooking. Thus, by freezing with the freezing apparatus of this Embodiment, the effect which improves the preservation | save quality and thawing | decompression quality of frozen food is acquired.

  Further, even if moisture is blown off by repeated decompression, since the case 4 is in an airtight container, the amount of water vapor in the case 4 is saturated immediately, so that the food 3 is not excessively dried.

  In the present embodiment, the electric pump 8 is used as the pressure reducing means, but these are not particularly specified. For example, it is possible to reduce the pressure by using a manual pump or by providing an oxygen adsorbent or a nitrogen adsorbent. Moreover, it is also possible to use the pump 8 and the gas adsorbent in combination, thereby complementing the deterioration of the performance with time of the pump 8 and the adsorbent, so that the refrigeration apparatus can be used for a long time.

  As described above, in the rose freezing apparatus of the present embodiment, the inside of the container is degassed and the outside air is introduced from one port provided in the lid, and the decompression and air introduction cycles are repeatedly given to the inside of the container several times. is there. As a result, the configuration of the apparatus can be further simplified, and the degree of design freedom can be increased.

  Moreover, the rose freezing apparatus of this embodiment controls the deaeration from the suction port of the lid and the introduction of the outside air by opening and closing the reverse valve by the desorption action of the magnet. Thereby, a solenoid valve becomes unnecessary and cost reduction can be achieved.

  Further, the rose freezing apparatus of the present embodiment uses a dedicated container having a curved bottom surface subjected to a water repellent treatment. Thereby, the dispersibility of the food at the time of external air introduction | transduction improves, and a foodstuff can be processed into a rose frozen state in a short time.

  As described above, the food freezing apparatus for food according to the present invention can easily freeze food such as minced meat and rice, so that it is a dedicated apparatus for business use or a freezing apparatus for household use or household use. It can be applied to refrigerators.

Sectional drawing of the rose freezing apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention Flowchart of rose freezing apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Sectional drawing of the rose freezing apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention Sectional drawing of the rose freezing apparatus in Embodiment 3 of this invention The principal part front view of the rose freezing apparatus in Embodiment 3 of this invention The principal part front view of the rose freezing apparatus in Embodiment 3 of this invention Sectional drawing of the principal part of the rose freezing apparatus in Embodiment 3 of this invention Flow chart of rose freezing apparatus in Embodiment 3 of the present invention Diagram showing a conventional freezing device

Explanation of symbols

1 body (food processing room)
4 Case (sealed container body)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Lid 6 Food container 7 Deaeration port 8 Vacuum pump 9 Deaeration piping 10 1st on-off valve 11 Exhaust piping 12 2nd on-off valve 19 Pressure sensor 20 Temperature sensor 21 Control apparatus 22 Atmospheric inlet 23 Atmospheric inlet 24 24 Reverse Stop valve

Claims (11)

  The food processing chamber formed in the heat insulating compartment, the cooling means for cooling the food processing chamber, the vacuum container having a sealed structure provided in the food processing chamber, and the pressure of the gas space in the vacuum container are varied. Pressure variation means, and in at least part of the process of cooling the food consisting of a collection of small pieces housed in the vacuum vessel until reaching a predetermined freezing temperature, the gas space in contact with the food A rose freezing device for food, comprising a control device for changing the pressure by the pressure changing means.   2. The rose freezing apparatus for food according to claim 1, wherein the pressure fluctuation unit includes a decompression unit that decompresses the inside of the vacuum container and an atmospheric pressure introduction unit that introduces an atmospheric pressure into the vacuum container.   The decompression means includes a deaeration port provided in a part of the vacuum vessel, a vacuum pump for degassing the air in the vacuum vessel, and a deaeration pipe disposed between the deaeration port and the vacuum pump. 3. A rose freezing apparatus for food according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a first on-off valve provided in the deaeration pipe and an exhaust pipe for exhausting the air deaerated by the vacuum pump to the outside. .   The air introduction means comprises an air introduction pipe, an air introduction port provided in a part of the vacuum vessel, and a second on-off valve provided in a midway path of the air introduction pipe. 4. A rose freezing apparatus for food according to any one of 3 above.   5. The rose freezing apparatus for food according to claim 4, wherein the air introduction pipe is formed by a branch of the deaeration pipe, and the air introduction port and the suction port are the same part.   5. The rose freezing apparatus for food according to claim 3, wherein the first on-off valve is a check valve. Food rose-like freeze device according to any one of 6 claims 1 atmosphere inflow is 0.15 m 3 / ^min or more from the air inlet.   The pressure sensor for detecting the pressure disposed inside the vacuum vessel, the temperature sensor for detecting the temperature, the pressure sensor, and the pressure and temperature in the vacuum vessel are controlled by a signal detected by the temperature sensor. The rose freezing apparatus for food according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising:   The process for cooling until reaching the predetermined freezing temperature refers to the case where the temperature of the food is in the range of 10 ° C to -20 ° C.   9. The rose freezing apparatus for food according to claim 8, wherein the pressure fluctuation step is performed even after the temperature of the food reaches the predetermined freezing temperature.   The rose freezing apparatus for food according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the inside of the vacuum container is water-repellent.

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