JP3301807B2 - Food cooling equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a food cooling device, and more particularly, to a food cooling device for spraying snow-like dry ice on a container containing food, which is carried into the device. The present invention relates to an improved food cooling device capable of reliably detecting the number of containers to be processed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a cooling device used when delivering fresh foods and the like, a snow-like dry ice generating mechanism is disposed above a transport path, and a container containing fresh foods and the like to be cooled or kept cool is provided. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a food cooling device which is carried below a generating mechanism and sprays snowy dry ice. In such a food cooling device, a container is continuously carried into the device for processing in terms of processing efficiency.

[0003]

As a container for storing food, a resin molded product such as styrene foam is generally used as a so-called returnable box. In such a container, the problem of non-uniformity of the container surface such as breakage, deformation, or variety of shapes, or the fact that the upper surface of the container is open, causes misalignment by detecting means using a microswitch or the like. It is difficult to mechanically detect the number of containers conveyed in a state and continuously.

Although the use of a non-contact type sensor as a detecting means is considered, there is a specific problem that when spraying snow-like dry ice, white smoke as minute water droplets is generated. The sensor does not perform well. Therefore, when using a non-contact sensor,
At present, it is necessary to carry out a process of once carrying out the container on which the snow has been sprayed out of the apparatus, and then carrying in a subsequent container again after the white smoke has disappeared.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a food cooling device for spraying snow-like dry ice on a container containing food ,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved food cooling device that can reliably detect the number of containers carried into the device.

[0006]

That is, the gist of the present invention is to sprinkle snow-like dry ice on a container containing food.
A cooling device foods, entrance and unloading port is opposed and snow-like dry ice generating mechanism at the top and housing disposed it is, and is located outside of the housing volume
A first conveyance path for conveying the vessel to the vicinity of the entrance, the
A method that is arranged from the carry-in port to the carry-out port,
The end on the improvement flow side is on the downstream side in the transport direction of the first transport path.
The sheet is conveyed by the first conveying path by facing the end.
A second transfer path for transferring the filled container from the carry-in port to the carry-out port, and a non-contact sensor for detecting the container is provided outside the housing and near the carry-in port. is, and, said second transport path the transport speed is made large with respect to the first transport path, moreover, the the housing is provided with an exhaust means for holding <br/> its internal negative pressure A cooling device for food.

[0007]

The second transport path, which has a higher transport speed than the first transport path, moves in a direction in which the containers on the downstream side in the transport direction are separated from the containers on the upstream side in the transport direction. It acts to form a gap between them. In addition, the exhaust unit keeps the inside of the housing at a negative pressure and prevents leakage of white smoke of snow-like dry ice generated in the housing.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A food cooling device according to the present invention (hereinafter abbreviated as "cooling device") will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing the entire configuration of the cooling device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of transporting and detecting a container in the cooling device of the present invention.

In the cooling device of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a carry-in port (1A) and a carry-out port (1B) are arranged to face each other, and a snow-shaped dry ice (hereinafter, abbreviated as "snow") is provided at an upper portion thereof. ) In which the generation mechanism of
V), a first transport path (11) disposed on the side of the carry-in port (1A), and a downstream side of the first transport path disposed in the transport direction and from the carry-in port (1A). 1B) and a second transport path (12) inserted therethrough,
A required amount of snow is sprayed on the container (W) that has stored food such as refrigerated food or fresh food and carried into the housing (1V). The sprayed snow is used as a coolant when delivering and storing food.

According to the present invention, in the above configuration, a non-contact type sensor (hereinafter abbreviated as "sensor") (2) for detecting the container (W) is provided near the carry-in port (1A), The second transport path (12) is connected to the first transport path (1).
1) The conveying speed is made higher than that of the container (W), and the housing (1V) is provided with an exhaust means for maintaining the inside thereof at a negative pressure. Can be reliably detected and carried into the apparatus.

The casing (1V) forms a substantial processing space for dispersing snow in the container (W). In the present embodiment, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped forming an outer shell of the apparatus is provided. Provided inside the gantry (1). The upper surface of the housing (1V) is composed of an exhaust hood (9) and a shielding plate (1s) surrounding a snow generation mechanism described later, and the bottom of the housing (1V) is a closed frame (1V). )
It is configured at the bottom. The side surface of the housing (1V) is located at an intermediate portion in the height direction of the gantry (1), and is made of a plate (1p) surrounding the side surface of the gantry. Such a plate (1
p) is made of an invisible member such as a transparent acrylic plate so that the operation of the device can be monitored.

The carry-in port (1A) and the carry-out port (1B) are formed so as to open to the extent that the container (W) can pass through both sides of the gantry (1) facing in the longitudinal direction. The snow generating mechanism includes an on-off valve (6) and a generating port (7) attached to the on-off valve via a nozzle (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, such a snow generation mechanism includes, for example, two generation ports (7) at a substantially central portion in the height direction of the gantry (1) along the longitudinal direction of the gantry. Are set as one set, and five sets are arranged.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
A gas-liquid separator (4) for separating unnecessary vaporized gas from liquefied carbon dioxide gas to obtain a quantitative property of snow is mounted on a top of the liquefied carbon dioxide gas. A main pipe (5) connected to the bottom of the liquid separator and having a plurality of branch pipes (5f) is suspended. The liquefied carbon dioxide gas from which the vaporized gas has been separated by the gas-liquid separator (4) passes through the main pipe (5) and the branch pipe (5f) and is connected to the tip of the branch pipe to generate the snow. Is supplied to the on-off valve (6).

The gas-liquid separator (4) is configured as a substantially cylindrical pressure vessel. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, two gas-liquid separators (4) are provided on the upper part of the gantry (1). Above each gas-liquid separator (4), a conduit (3) connected to a liquefied carbon dioxide gas supply line (not shown) including a storage tank and a discharge pipe (4) are provided.
b) are attached. The gas-liquid separator (4)
A float switch (4f) having a pair of floats and contacts and detecting the upper and lower limits of the liquid level in the cylinder is inserted.
The electromagnetic valve (4s) provided in the discharge pipe (4b) is opened and closed by the signal of the float switch (4f), and the liquid level is always kept in a predetermined range, and the main pipe (5) is maintained.
The liquefied carbon dioxide substantially containing no vaporized gas is supplied quantitatively to the side.

The main pipe (5) is, as shown in FIG.
The liquefied carbon dioxide gas introduced from the gas-liquid separator (4) is evenly distributed to each snow generating mechanism, and is formed of a pipe which is disposed substantially horizontally and whose both ends are sealed. As shown in FIG. 2, two units are provided corresponding to each gas-liquid separator (4) and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the gantry (1). The volume of the main pipe (5) is set to such an extent that liquefied carbon dioxide gas can be simultaneously supplied to each production port (7) in consideration of the expected maximum production amount of snow. In addition, one generation port (7) of each set is connected to one main pipe (5) via a branch pipe (5f). In addition, the conduit (3), the gas-liquid separator (4), the main pipe (5), and the branch pipe (5f) are usually kept cool by a heat insulating material.

Generating port (7) constituting a snow generating mechanism
As shown in FIG. 2, is a tubular flow path formed in a substantially J-shape, and a nozzle (not shown) is attached to a base end on the side of the on-off valve (6). The generation port (7) is provided with a discharge port (not shown) on the downstream side of the curved pipe portion and on the outer peripheral side of the bend, and when liquefied carbon dioxide gas is injected from the nozzle and adiabatically expanded, the inside of the pipe is formed. The back pressure is appropriately maintained to enhance the snow generation efficiency, and the generated snow is separated from the mixed gas by the cyclone effect and selectively taken out. Such a configuration is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 52-29277 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 54-22798. In addition,
As the on-off valve (6), a solenoid valve, an air-operated valve or the like is usually used.

Further, the generating port (7) is inserted into a rectangular cylindrical snow hood (8). The snow food (8) is provided separately for each set of the generating openings (7) to prevent the generated snow from scattering, and
In order to appropriately adjust the gap through which the lower container (W) passes, it is preferably configured to be able to move up and down. The snow hood (8) and the space above the hood collect the carbon dioxide gas discharged from the snow generating mechanism and the carbon dioxide gas generated from the snow scattered in the container (W). It is surrounded by an exhaust hood (9). Also,
The upper space and the lower space in the gantry (1) are separated by a horizontal shielding plate (1s) using the outer wall of the exhaust hood (9), and the upper surface of the housing (1V) described above. Is composed.

Although not shown, the exhaust means is constituted by an exhaust duct (10) provided to the outside and a blowing means such as a blower attached to the exhaust duct.
The exhaust duct (10) is connected to the upper end of the exhaust hood (9). As shown in FIG. 2, the exhaust duct (10) also extends to a space below the pedestal (1) whose side and bottom surfaces are sealed, and partly flows down during snow scattering. Carbon dioxide is also collected. The inside of the housing (1 V) is always kept at a negative pressure during operation by the above-described exhaust means.

Further, the first transport path (1) shown in FIG.
Various conveyors can be used as 1) and the second transport path (12). In this embodiment, in consideration of low-temperature resistance, a roller conveyor having a drive mechanism is used for both transport paths. Can be The first transport path (11) is provided at the entrance (1
A), and the second conveyance path (12) is arranged substantially horizontally below the gantry (1) from the carry-in port (1A) to the carry-out port (1B). .

The first transport path (11) and the second transport path (12) are provided with a motor and a transmission, respectively, and are configured to be capable of speed adjustment. The second transport path (12) has a higher transport speed than the first transport path (11) in order to form a gap between the second transport path (12) and the subsequent container (W). The difference in speed between the first transport path (11) and the second transport path (12) is such that an appropriate gap of, for example, about 10 mm to 150 mm is formed for a large number of containers (W) supplied in close contact. Difference.

In order to stop the loaded container (W) and the succeeding container (W) at a fixed position, the second transfer path (12) is provided with a loading port (1A) in the housing (1V). A stopper (12c), near the carry-out port (1B), respectively.
(12e) is provided so that it can appear and disappear. Further, a guide (12d) for maintaining the aligned state of the containers (W) is attached to the second transport path (12). The code (13) is the second
A third transport path disposed downstream of the transport path (12) in the transport direction. In the third transport path (13), for example, various drive conveyors or containers (W) for transporting the container (W) on which the snow is scattered to a predetermined place such as a delivery yard are provided. A free roller conveyor or the like for temporarily storing is used.

The sensor (2) attached near the carry-in port (1A) is provided outside the housing (1V) on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the carry-in port (1A). Sensor (2)
As shown in FIG. 1, the container (W) is attached to a column erected on the side edge of the second transport path (12), and is moved from the transport surface of the second transport path (12). ) Is located at an appropriate height that does not exceed the height. As the sensor (2), for example, various sensors for detecting the presence or absence of an object such as a transmission type or reflection type optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and a magnetic type sensor for detecting a change in magnetic flux can be used.

In the snow manufacturing apparatus of the present embodiment,
Although not shown, a control device such as a so-called program controller including a timer function and the like, and an operation panel attached to the control device are separately provided. The first transport path (11), the second transport path (12), the stoppers (2c), (2e), The operation of the snow generation mechanism and the like is controlled.

Next, the operation of the cooling device of the present embodiment when performing snow treatment on the container (W) containing food will be described with reference to FIG. The operation of the liquefied carbon dioxide gas supply line causes the liquefied carbon dioxide gas stored in the storage tank to flow into the gas-liquid separator (4) by its own pressure through the conduit (3). The vaporized gas generated in the liquefied carbon dioxide gas in the gas-liquid separator (4) is discharged out of the system through the conduit (4b), and the liquid free of gas is supplied to the lower main pipe (5) and the branch pipe (5f). Supplied. The gas-liquid separator (4) always operates so as to maintain the liquid level in the cylinder, and the downstream side of the main pipe (5) is filled with liquefied carbon dioxide gas.

When the operation of the cooling device is started, the first transport path (11) and the second transport path (12) are driven, and the stopper (12c) of the second transport path (12) is retracted. The entrance (1A) is opened. The first transport path (1
The container (W) mounted in an appropriate state in 1) is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), the paper is conveyed toward the carry-in entrance (1A), and its leading end moves to the second conveyance path (12).
At that time, for example, each container (W) is placed on the first semi-track (11).
The first transport path (11) even if
The container (W) on the downstream side in the transport direction moves relative to the container (W) on the upstream side in the transport direction in a direction away from the container (W), that is, in the downstream direction due to the difference in the transport speed between the second transport path (12) and the second transport path (12). Therefore, a gap is reliably formed between the container (W) on the upstream side.

In such a state, when the preceding container (W) passes through the position of the sensor (2), the sensor (2) detects the gap between the containers, whereby the container (W) passing through the position of the sensor (W) is detected. ) Is counted. In the detection of such a container, a gap that is compulsorily formed between the two preceding and following containers (W) is detected, so that the detection can be reliably performed regardless of the surface shape of the container. Then, for example, if the number of containers (W) to be processed is initially set to 5, for example, the gaps behind each of the five containers (W) that have passed are detected by the sensor (2), and then the stopper ( 12c)
Protrudes to restrict the following container (W) from being carried in.

On the other hand, at the exit (1B) of the apparatus,
The stopper (12e) protrudes, and stops the carried container (W) from passing outside the apparatus. For example, 5
As shown in FIG. 3 (b), the loaded containers (W) are closely brought to the most downstream container (W) stopped at the outlet (1B) side to generate each set. Each is located below the mouth (7) and the second transport path (12) stops. Next, based on the set operating conditions, for example, in all five snow generating mechanisms, each solenoid valve (6) is opened for a predetermined time, and the liquefied carbon dioxide gas filled in the main pipe (5) is discharged. It is jetted to the generation port via the nozzle of the generation port (7). Then, the snow produced at the generation ports (7) is sprayed on the containers (W) located below the respective generation ports (7).

When the snow is scattered, in the cooling device of the present embodiment, the carbon dioxide generated due to the generation of the snow is discharged outdoors by the exhaust means provided in the housing (1V). At the same time, since the inside of the housing (1V) is maintained at a negative pressure by such an exhaust means, white smoke generated in the housing (1V) due to the scattering of snow causes the carry-in entrance (1A) and There is no leakage from the carry-out port (1B).

After a predetermined amount of snow has been sprayed on each container (W), as shown in FIG. 3 (c), the stopper (12e) located at the carry-out port (1B) is immersed, and again, the second The transport path (12) is driven and the processed container (W) is carried out. Then, following the unloading of the container (W), the stopper (2c) of the loading port (1A) re-enters again with a slight time difference, and the container (W) to be processed next
Is newly imported. When a group of the following containers (W) passes the position of the sensor (2), there is no leakage of white smoke from the housing (1V), so that white smoke does not drift near the sensor (2). Since the sensor (2) is not affected by the white smoke, reliable operation can be compensated without malfunction.

After that, the same operation as described above is continuously repeated, and a predetermined number of containers (W) carried into the housing (1V) are repeated.
Is scattered. The operating conditions are
At the start of the process or during the process, the number of containers (W) to be processed and the amount of snow produced are appropriately set according to the situation.

As described above, according to the cooling device of the present embodiment, the space formed between the containers (W) is used to carry the loading port (1).
The number of containers (W) conveyed to A) can be reliably detected by the sensor (2), and a predetermined number of containers (W) can be carried into the housing (1V). Therefore, after processing a group of containers (W), the containers (W) to be processed next can be continuously fed into the housing (1V), and as a result, a sufficient operation rate commensurate with the production capacity of snow can be achieved. Can be demonstrated,
In addition, the processing efficiency can be further improved.

In the present embodiment, the generation port (7) is constituted by a J-shaped tubular flow path.
Various known horn-shaped flow paths called so-called snow horns can be used, and the number of snow generation mechanisms and the like can be set to various numbers according to the processing scale.

[0033]

As described above, according to the food cooling device of the present invention, the number of containers carried into the device can be reliably detected by utilizing the gap between the containers. Can be continuously carried in, and as a result, the processing efficiency can be further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the overall configuration of a cooling device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a method of transporting and detecting a container in the cooling device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Stand 1A: Carry-in port 1B: Carry-out port 1V: Housing 2: Sensor 4: Gas-liquid separator 5: Main pipe 6: Open / close valve (snow-like dry ice generation mechanism) 7: Generation port (Snow-like dry ice) 8: Snow hood 9: Hood 10: Exhaust duct (exhaust means) 11: First transport path 12: Second transport path 12 c, 12 e: Stopper W: Container

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-53-48256 (JP, A) JP-A-51-91346 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model Showa 57-62866 (JP, U) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A23L 3/36 F25D 3/12 F25D 13/06

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A snow-like dryer in a container containing food.
A cooling device for a food to be sprayed on a chair , wherein a housing having a carry-in entrance and a carry-out opening opposed to each other and having a snow-like dry ice generating mechanism disposed on an upper part thereof, and a casing arranged outside the casing.
And a first transport path for transporting the container to near the carry-in port, and disposed from the carry-in port to the carry-out port;
The end on the upstream side in the conveyance direction is the conveyance direction of the first conveyance path.
Facing the end on the downstream side toward the first transport path.
Transported from the carry-in port to the carry-out port
A second transfer path, which is located outside the housing.
Non-contact type sensor and for detecting a container in the vicinity of the entrance Te is attached, and the second transport path the first
Made larger transport speed relative to the transport path, moreover, food cooling device, characterized in that said the housing and an exhaust means for holding therein a negative pressure is provided.