JP2732447B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a substantially closed type vegetable compartment for storing vegetables fresh for a long period of time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as a method for preserving vegetables in a refrigerator in a fresh state for a long period of time, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-213784, a vent of a substantially hermetically sealed vegetable container is used. A method of providing a sheet has been proposed.

[0003] The following describes a refrigerator that has been conventionally proposed. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a vegetable compartment of a refrigerator that has been conventionally proposed. Reference numeral 1 denotes a refrigerator main body, and a freezer compartment (not shown) is provided at the top of the refrigerator compartment. Is provided. Reference numeral 4 denotes a partition plate for partitioning between the refrigerator compartment 2 and the vegetable compartment 3, and ventilation holes 5 and 6 for allowing cool air to pass therethrough are provided at the front and rear portions, respectively. Reference numeral 7 denotes a vegetable storage container, which is a storage container having an open upper surface.
And can be pulled out forward by opening the door 8.

[0004] Reference numeral 9 designates a lid which forms a storage container together with the vegetable storage container 7 by making the upper surface of the vegetable storage container 7 detachable, and is provided with a circular vent 10. At the rear end of the lid 9, there is provided a flow dividing plate 11 that is folded upward. Reference numeral 12 denotes a rectangular moisture sensitive sheet made of, for example, a polyvinyl alcohol film. As shown in FIG. It is fixed. The moisture-sensitive sheet 12 has such a property that it swells and expands when the humidity becomes, for example, 80% or more, and contracts when it becomes a dry state of 80% or less.

[0005] The operation of the vegetable storage container of the refrigerator configured as described above will be described below. First,
After passing through the ventilation holes 5 of the partition plate 4, the cool air from the refrigerator compartment 2 is diverted by the distribution plate 11 and flows to the upper surface side of the lid 9 and the rear side of the vegetable storage container 7. Then, a part of the cold air diverted to the upper surface side of the lid 9 flows into the vegetable storage container 7 through the ventilation port 10 provided in the lid 9, and passes through the remaining cool air and the rear side of the vegetable storage container 7. Cool air is supplied to the ventilation holes 6 of the partition plate 4.
And returns to the refrigerator compartment 2.

When the vegetables are in a low-temperature preservation state due to the flow of cold air as described above, the humidity in the vegetable storage container 7 gradually decreases when the vent 10 is open, as shown in FIG. I do. However, when the humidity falls below 80%, the moisture-sensitive sheet 1 that had previously opened the vent 10
2 dries and shrinks, as shown in FIG.
To close the ventilation opening 10.

Further, when the inside of the vegetable storage container 7 is completely sealed, the inside of the vegetable storage container 7 becomes high in humidity by water vapor released by the respiratory action of the vegetables, and the humidity becomes 8%.
If it exceeds 0%, the moisture-sensitive sheet 12 which has closed the vent 10 gradually swells and expands, and the vent 10 is opened again as shown in FIG.

Therefore, the inside of the vegetable storage container 7 is prevented from being over-dried or over-humid for a long time, and the vegetables can be stored for a long time.

[0009]

However, in the above-described structure, since the opening and closing of the ventilation port 10 is performed by the moisture-sensitive sheet 12 which gradually expands and expands or gradually drys and contracts, the response is extremely low. Bad. For this reason, the avoidance of the over-humid state is delayed, and the condensation of the lid 9 cooled by the cool air from the refrigerator compartment 2 cannot be sufficiently prevented. Refrigerator 2 inside
The inflow of cold air from the vines is prolonged, causing weak vegetables such as spinach to dry.

Further, since the moisture-sensitive sheet 12 is made of a swellable material such as a polyvinyl alcohol film, not only the response of moisture absorption / desorption, but also the original property by repeating moisture absorption / desorption several times. There is a problem that it is difficult to return to the shape.

[0011] Therefore, the refrigerators proposed so far have a problem that the humidity in the vegetable room cannot be maintained at a moderately high level for a long period of time, and the vegetables cannot be stored fresh for a long period of time. there were.

In view of the above problems, the present invention can reliably control the humidity in a vegetable storage container automatically to prevent dew condensation, always maintain a high humidity suitable for vegetables, and keep vegetables fresh for a long period of time. It is intended to provide a refrigerator.

[0013]

In order to achieve this object, a refrigerator according to the present invention comprises a water vapor permeable fiber and a shape memory resin so as to closely cover an open top surface of a vegetable storage container. Provided with a cover having a moisture permeable membrane to be formed.

Further, a moisture permeable membrane in which at least one side of the fiber is coated with a shape memory resin is integrally molded with the opening of the lid.

[0015] Further, another component in the form of a lattice formed integrally with a moisture permeable membrane in which at least one side of the fiber is coated with a shape memory resin is disposed in the opening of the lid.

Further, the moisture permeable membrane is formed by coating only a predetermined portion of the fiber with a shape memory resin.

Further, the moisture permeable membrane is provided with a plurality of pores. Further, the moisture permeable membrane is provided on the back surface of the vegetable storage container.

Further, the moisture permeable membrane is treated with a silver-based antibacterial agent.

[0019]

According to the refrigerator of the present invention, the moisture permeability of the moisture permeable membrane automatically and rapidly changes around the glass transition point of the shape memory resin, for example, around 10 ° C. by the above configuration. When the temperature inside the vegetable storage container rises and the respiratory action of the vegetables is active when open, the moisture permeability is large, and when the temperature inside the vegetable storage container stabilizes at a low temperature or the amount of stored vegetables is small, the vegetable breathing When the temperature does not rise due to heat and the evaporation of water from the vegetables is small, the moisture permeability is reduced, so that the inside of the vegetable storage container can be always kept at a high humidity suitable for vegetables while preventing dew condensation.

Further, by integrally molding the moisture-permeable film in the opening of the lid, the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

In addition, by disposing another lattice-shaped part integrally formed with the moisture permeable membrane in the opening of the lid, the moisture permeable membrane can be replaced at low cost.

Further, by forming a moisture permeable membrane by coating a predetermined portion of the fiber with a shape memory resin, it is possible to easily produce a material having a different moisture permeability, so that it can be applied to various types of refrigerators.

By providing a plurality of pores in the moisture permeable membrane, the effect of removing carbon dioxide gas and ethylene gas, which may harm vegetables and fruits, can be increased.

Further, by treating the moisture-permeable membrane with a silver-based antibacterial agent, it is possible to safely maintain hygiene for a long period of time.

[0025]

【Example】

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

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a vegetable compartment 14 of a refrigerator according to the present invention, which is provided at a lower portion of a refrigerator compartment 15, and the vegetable compartment 14 and the refrigerator compartment 15 are partitioned by a partition plate 16. The partition plate 16 is provided with ventilation holes 16a, 16b at the front and rear, so that cool air in the refrigerator compartment 15 circulates in the vegetable compartment 14. The vegetable compartment 14 includes a vegetable storage container 18 that is mounted on rails 17a horizontally mounted on the left and right sides of the vegetable compartment door 17 and is opened and closed integrally with the door 17, and the vegetable compartment when the door 17 is closed. A lid 19 is provided so as to closely cover the top opening of the storage container 18.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Is provided with an opening 19a, and a moisture-permeable film 20 is integrally formed in the opening 19a. The moisture permeable membrane 20 is formed by coating a fiber 21 such as nylon or polyester with a shape memory resin 22 of a polyurethane resin.

Here, the shape memory resin 22 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, A shows the relationship between moisture permeability and temperature of a general moisture permeable film, B shows the relationship between moisture permeability and temperature of the moisture permeable film 20 having the shape memory characteristic of the present invention, and A shows the temperature. B indicates that the moisture permeability does not increase so much when the temperature rises, but B indicates that when the temperature rises and becomes equal to or higher than the glass transition temperature Tg (for example, 10 to 15 ° C.), the moisture permeability rapidly increases. That is, the shape memory resin 22
This is because it has a characteristic that the function of transmitting water vapor greatly changes around the glass transition temperature Tg. This is because when the temperature is lower than the glass transition temperature Tg, the gap between the resin molecules shrinks to suppress the water vapor permeability, and when the temperature is higher than the glass transition temperature Tg, the molecular motion of the amorphous phase of the resin becomes active. This has the function of widening the gap between the molecules of the resin and increasing the water vapor permeability (the principle of the shape memory resin is described in the April, 1993 issue of Trigger).

With respect to the refrigerator configured as described above,
The operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, when vegetables are stored in the vegetable storage container 18, the humidity inside the substantially closed vegetable storage container 18 becomes high due to the moisture discharged from the vegetables themselves by respiration. Immediately after storing the vegetables, since the temperature of the vegetables is high and the respiratory action is active, a large amount of water is discharged. Therefore, the inside of the vegetable storage container 18 is usually in a humid state, and condensation is formed behind the lid 19. Is easy to occur. However, in such a state, excess moisture is removed as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 3 due to the large water vapor permeability of the moisture permeable membrane 20 provided on the lid 19 of the vegetable compartment 14. Since the water moves from the vegetable room 14 having a high pressure (Pi) to the outdoor having a low water vapor partial pressure (Po), an over-humid state is avoided, and dew condensation is prevented.

When the temperature in the vegetable compartment 14 has fallen below the glass transition temperature Tg (for example, 10 to 15 ° C.) of the shape memory resin 22 after a lapse of time from the storage of the vegetables, The moisture permeability of the wet film 20 is reduced, and the humidity inside the vegetable compartment 14 is high (80 to 95% R) suitable for storing vegetables.
H). At this time, since the respiratory action of the vegetables is suppressed and the amount of water that evaporates is small, dew condensation can be prevented even if the water vapor permeability is low.

When the amount of stored vegetables is very large, the temperature inside the vegetable compartment 14 is high due to the large heat of respiration of the vegetables, and the dew condensation is easy to occur. When the amount of stored vegetables is small, the temperature inside the vegetable compartment 14 is low because the respiratory heat of the vegetables is small, and the water from the vegetables is less likely to evaporate. At this time, the moisture permeability of the moisture permeable membrane 20 is reduced, and functions to prevent drying of the vegetables.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the vegetable room 1
4 is substantially sealed with a vegetable storage container 12 and a lid 19 having a moisture permeable membrane 20, and the moisture permeable membrane 20 is composed of a water vapor permeable fiber 21 and a shape memory resin 22, so that a temperature change in the vegetable compartment 14 can be achieved. In addition, since the water vapor permeability changes appropriately according to the amount of stored vegetables and the high humidity suitable for vegetables can be maintained while preventing dew condensation in the vegetable compartment 14, vegetables can be stored for a long time than before. .

The moisture permeable membrane 20 is not mechanically deformed and can maintain the water vapor permeability for a long period of time, so that it is more durable than the conventional example.

(Embodiment 2) Next, a second embodiment will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the vegetable compartment 23 of the refrigerator in the second embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the lid 24 is integrally formed with a moisture permeable membrane 25 having shape memory characteristics. That is, another component 27 having a molded lattice-shaped opening 26 is provided. The operation is the same as in the first embodiment.

As described above, unlike the first embodiment, since the moisture permeable film 25 having the shape memory characteristic is made as a separate part from the lid 24 main body, if the moisture permeable film 25 is broken, Replacement of parts is easy, and parts can be replaced at low cost. Note that the moisture permeable film 25 may be sandwiched between two lattice-shaped molded products instead of being integrally molded.

(Embodiment 3) Next, a third embodiment will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. The difference between the first embodiment and the second embodiment is that the structure of the vegetable compartment is the same only with the configuration of the moisture permeable membrane, so that the detailed description of the structure is omitted and only the configuration of the moisture permeable membrane is described. .

FIG. 6 shows a moisture permeable membrane 28 in the third embodiment. The surface of a fiber 29 such as nylon or polyester is coated with a shape memory resin 30 in a predetermined area in a dot shape from several microns to several tens microns. Things.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, only the portion coated with the shape memory resin 30 has a large change in the water vapor transmission function at the above-mentioned glass transition temperature Tg. Also,
The portion which is not coated with the shape memory resin 30 has a large moisture permeability of the fiber 29 itself irrespective of the glass transition temperature Tg.

As described above, unlike the first and second embodiments, since the surface of the fiber 29 is coated with the shape memory resin 30 in a dot shape by a predetermined area from several microns to several tens of microns, it is coated. By simply changing the area, it is possible to freely change the moisture permeability of the entire moisture permeable membrane 28 while maintaining the characteristic that the water vapor transmission function greatly changes around the glass transition temperature Tg. Can be applied.

The pattern of the coating of the shape memory resin 30 is not limited to the circular dot shape shown in FIG. 6, but may be a square or triangular dot. Instead of the dot-shaped coating, a predetermined portion of the moisture-permeable film 28 may be solid-coated. For example, the shape memory resin 30 may be coated except for locations where cold air is likely to hit due to the structure of the vegetable compartment and where dew condensation is particularly likely to occur. By doing so, appropriate dew condensation can be prevented.

(Embodiment 4) Next, a fourth embodiment will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. Since the content is the same as that of the third embodiment, a detailed description of the structure is omitted and only the configuration of the moisture-permeable film is described.

FIG. 8 shows the lid 31 of the vegetable compartment in this embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a lid 31 has a moisture-permeable film 32 in an opening 31 a. This moisture permeable film 32 is made up of the first and second
In the same manner as in the first embodiment, a shape memory resin 34 such as a polyurethane resin is
However, the difference is that a plurality of pores 32a are provided. The pores 32a may be opened either after coating the shape memory resin 34 or after opening the fiber 33 and then coating the shape memory resin 34.

As described above, since the pores 32 a are provided in the moisture permeable film 32, as shown in FIG. 9, the portion through which gas or water vapor freely permeates and the glass transition temperature Tg of the shape memory resin 34. The part where the moisture permeability changes at the boundary is mixed, which increases the dew condensation prevention effect and removes carbon dioxide gas and ethylene gas, which may adversely harm vegetables and fruits if the enclosed vegetable room is filled too much The effect can be increased.

(Embodiment 5) Next, a fifth embodiment will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view of a vegetable compartment 35 of a refrigerator according to the fifth embodiment. The difference from the second embodiment is that not only the lid 24 but also the dew condensation on the back of the vegetable storage container 36 is formed. Another point is that the moisture-permeable film 37 having the above-mentioned shape memory characteristics is provided also in an easy place. The moisture permeable membrane 37 is
Similarly to the moisture permeable film 25 provided in 4, it is integrally formed with another component 39 having a lattice-shaped opening 38.

As described above, by applying the moisture permeable membrane 37 not only to the lid 24 but also to a portion on the back of the vegetable storage container 36 where dew condensation is likely to occur, the vegetable room 35 can be maintained at a high humidity suitable for vegetables. The effect of preventing dew condensation can be improved.

(Embodiment 6) Next, a sixth embodiment will be described.
Description will be made again with reference to FIG. This embodiment is different from the first to fifth embodiments in that the moisture permeable membrane 20 has an antibacterial effect. By dispersing a silver-based antibacterial agent (not shown) in the shape memory resin 22 of the moisture permeable film 20, the moisture permeable film 20 has an antibacterial action. Silver antibacterial agents
It is a product in which a silver thiosulfato complex salt is supported on silica gel (“Amenitop” manufactured by Fuji Dewison Chemical Co., Ltd.).

As described above, by using a silver-based antibacterial agent for the moisture permeable membrane 20, it is safe for food hygiene and the slimming of the shape memory resin 22 located on the inner surface of the vegetable compartment 14 where the humidity is high. Generation can be prevented.

[0050]

As described above, the refrigerator of the present invention comprises a vegetable storage container having an open top surface, a shape memory resin such as a polyurethane resin and a nylon or polyester, which are provided in close contact with each other so as to cover the top surface. Since it has a lid with a water vapor-permeable moisture-permeable membrane made of fibers such as
The water vapor permeability changes appropriately according to the temperature change in the vegetable room and the amount of vegetables stored, so that high humidity suitable for vegetables can be maintained while preventing condensation in the vegetable room, so preserve the vegetables fresh for a long period of time I can do it. Further, since the moisture permeable membrane is not mechanically deformed, the variability of the water vapor permeability can be maintained for a long period of time, so that there is durability.

Also, since a separate grid-like part is integrally formed with a moisture-permeable membrane in which at least one side of the fiber is coated with a shape-memory resin, which is disposed in the opening of the lid, the moisture-permeable membrane should be used. Replacement in case of damage is easy, and parts can be replaced at low cost.

Further, since the moisture permeable membrane is formed by coating the shape memory resin only on a predetermined portion of the fiber, it is possible to maintain the characteristic that the water vapor transmission function greatly changes from the glass transition temperature Tg of the shape memory resin. The moisture permeability of the entire moisture permeable membrane can be freely changed, and the present invention can be applied to refrigerators of various capacities.

Further, since the moisture-permeable membrane is provided with a plurality of pores, the effect of preventing condensation or carbon dioxide gas or ethylene gas, which may adversely affect vegetables and fruits if the effect of preventing condensation is increased or filled too much. The removal effect can be increased.

Further, since a moisture permeable membrane is provided on the back of the vegetable storage container, the effect of preventing dew condensation can be improved while maintaining the vegetable compartment at a high humidity suitable for vegetables.

Further, since the moisture permeable membrane is treated with a silver-based antibacterial agent, slimming of the shape memory resin can be safely prevented in food hygiene.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a vegetable room of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lid of a vegetable compartment of a refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged sectional view of a moisture permeable membrane of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a water vapor transmission function of a moisture permeable membrane and a general moisture permeable membrane in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a vegetable room of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a moisture permeable membrane according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a moisture-permeable film according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a lid of a vegetable compartment in a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a moisture-permeable film according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a vegetable room of a refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of a vegetable room of a conventional refrigerator.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an open state of a moisture-sensitive sheet of a lid of a conventional vegetable compartment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a closed state of a moisture-sensitive sheet of a lid of a conventional vegetable compartment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 18 vegetable storage container 19 lid 19a opening of lid 20 moisture-permeable membrane 21 fiber 22 shape memory resin 25 moisture-permeable membrane 26 lattice-shaped opening 27 separate component 28 moisture-permeable membrane 29 fiber 30 shape memory resin 31 lid 31a Lid opening 32 Moisture permeable membrane 33 Fiber 36 Vegetable storage container

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A vegetable storage container having an open top surface, and a lid provided with a moisture-permeable membrane composed of water vapor permeable fibers and a shape memory resin provided in close contact with the top surface to cover the vegetable storage container. And a refrigerator having: 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the shape memory resin is a polyurethane resin and the fibers are nylon or polyester. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a moisture permeable membrane in which at least one side of the fiber is coated with a shape memory resin is integrally molded with the opening of the lid. 4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a separate grid-like part integrally formed with a moisture-permeable membrane in which at least one side of the fiber is coated with a shape memory resin is disposed in the opening of the lid. 5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the moisture permeable membrane is formed by coating a predetermined portion of the fiber with a shape memory resin. 6. The moisture permeable membrane according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of pores are provided.
The refrigerator as described. 7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the moisture permeable membrane is provided on a back surface of the vegetable storage container. 8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the moisture permeable membrane is treated with a silver-based antibacterial agent.