JP4069286B2

JP4069286B2 - Press freezing shaping method and apparatus for flexible bag products

Info

Publication number: JP4069286B2
Application number: JP2001152029A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 繁高橋; 雅洋深江; 隆行関田
Original assignee: Mayekawa Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Mayekawa Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 2001-05-22
Filing date: 2001-05-22
Publication date: 2008-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 2021-05-22
Also published as: JP2002350027A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、多量の水分を含む柔軟な食品等の製品を柔軟な袋状容器に入れた柔軟袋物製品の押圧凍結整形方法とその装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
このような柔軟袋物製品等の凍結には、特開昭５９−１６１６６４号公報に開示されている連続凍結装置がある。この装置は図６に見るように、ダブルコンタクトベルトフリーザとして一般的に知られている構造と殆ど同一の構成よりなり、防熱ケーシング５１の長手方向の両端に電動機５５で駆動するドライブ側ホイール５５ａとテンション側シーブ５５ｂを設けたスチールベルトコンベア５２を配し、該コンベアのスチールベルト５２ａの裏側にブライン槽５４を設けて冷ブライン５３を循環噴霧して、スチールベルトの裏面を冷却している。被凍結品５０は、この下側スチールベルト５２ａ上に載置され従動側より駆動側へ進む。
一方スチールベルトコンベア５２ａの上部にはフレキシブルなシート６２内に冷ブライン６３を循環するようにし、ガイドレールに沿って移動するフレキシブルシートコンベア６１のアタッチメントを介して設けられ、内部に冷ブラインを保有した前記フレキシブルなシート６２が冷媒の重量により被凍結品５０の上部から直接覆う状態でスチールベルトコンベア５２ａとにより連動し、被凍結品５０は入口から出口に移動する間に前記スチールベルト５２ａとシート６２接触凍結により連続的に凍結される。
フレキシブルシートコンベア６１は前記フレキシブルなシート６２とスチールベルト５２ａ及び被凍結品５０との摩擦力により駆動される。
前記フレキシブルなシート６２は−４０℃の低温下で柔軟性と機械的強度を有し且つ熱伝導率の大きい薄肉の特殊シートを用いている。
シート内面及びスチールベルト裏面のブライン槽を循環する冷ブラインは１系統のブライン配管で接続してある。
【０００３】
上記提案においては、冷ブラインにより冷却されたスチールベルト５２ａ上に載置させ走行する被凍結品５０の上部より、冷ブラインを循環させたフレキシブルなシート６２を直接覆う状態で接触させ、被凍結品５０の上下両面の冷却を全面の接触凍結方式により構成させ、表面急速凍結を図ったものである。
上記提案においては、被凍結品５０のスチールベルトの載置面は平滑面が得られるがフレキシブルシートの接触面は投入時の形状を維持したまま凍結されるために、梱包に必要な同じ厚みを持つ略直方体状の凍結品を得ることは不可能である。
【０００４】
また、被凍結品を上下コンベアにより挟持搬送させながら冷凍させる装置として、図７に示す接触凍結による連続凍結装置が使用されている。
上記凍結装置は、図に見るように、装置６５ａの入口と出口に設けた回転軸にスプロケット６５、６６を設け、該スプロケットにエンドレスベルト７４ａ、７４ｂを掛け渡し、上側を周回するエンドレスベルト７４ａの被凍結品７０に接する裏面全面に、冷却機で冷却された冷ブラインを収容する柔軟性で耐磨耗性の防水シートからなるブライン収容嚢７５を当接させ、下側を周回するエンドレスベルト７４ｂに接する裏側に向けて設けられた多数のノズル７６より冷ブラインを噴出させ、噴出液はトレイ７８で受け回収するようにしたものである。
【０００５】
上記図７に示す連続凍結整形装置は被凍結品７０を上下のエンドレスベルト７４ａ、７４ｂにより接触凍結させる方式で袋物の凍結の場合は、上下からエンドレスベルトで押し当てて冷凍するようにしてある。
上記上下エンドレスベルトの押し当てによる接触凍結の場合は、袋物等の食品の形状の崩れを生じないものには、向いているが、下記欠点を持っている。
ａ、前記冷ブラインを収容する防水シートの巾に限界があり、ブライン収容嚢とエンドレスベルトの接触抵抗が大きくなることもあって、コンベア巾を大きくすることは不可能であること、
ｂ、上下ベルトは、両端のスプロケットの間に適当なテンションのもとに展張される下ベルトに対し、上ベルトの展張の差により決まる両者間の間隙は搬送路全域にわたり同じ値を設定することは困難であること、
ｃ、上下ベルトにより挟持される被凍結品を一定の厚みに押圧する機能はなく、下ベルト上の被凍結物に上ベルトを押し当てる程度であるため、被凍結品の厚み規制を可能とする凍結整形は不可能であること、
等の問題点がある。
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところで、例えば多量に水を含むゲル状のものを袋に入れた袋物製品の凍結をする場合、形状が丸くなってしまい、段ボールケース等への収納梱包には向かない問題があり、少なくとも同一厚みに凍結整形することが必要である。
【０００７】
本発明は、上記問題点に鑑みなされたもので、多量の水を含む柔軟袋物製品の凍結に際し、梱包に最適な同一形状に整形し商品価値の向上を図るとともに、梱包時の容積比率アップにより小さい外箱で梱包でき運送コストの改善を図ることのできる、柔軟袋物製品の押圧凍結整形方法とその装置の提供を目的とするものである。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
そこで、請求項１記載の発明は、柔軟製品を充填した柔軟袋物製品よりなるワークの凍結整形方法において、
上下の相対向する冷却板の間に、同方向に連続走行してワークを挟持搬送する一対の走行ベルトを介在させ、前記冷却板による一定時間の押圧凍結整形を行い、ワークの連続取り出しを可能にするとともに、
前記冷却板は、前記走行ベルトとの当接面に密着用扁平ブライン充填袋を介在させるようにしたことを特徴とする。
又請求項２記載の発明は、柔軟製品を充填した柔軟袋物製品よりなるワークの凍結整形方法において、
上下の相対向する冷却板の間に、同方向に断続走行してワークを挟持搬送する一対の走行ベルトを介在させ、該走行ベルトの停止時に前記冷却板による押圧凍結整形を行い、押圧凍結整形終了後に前記走行ベルトを走行させ、ワークの断続取り出しを可能とするとともに、
前記冷却板は、前記走行ベルトとの当接面に密着用扁平ブライン充填袋を介在させるようにしたことを特徴とする。
【０００９】
前記発明は、多量の水を含む柔軟袋物製品の押圧凍結整形方法について、ワークを挟持搬送する走行ベルトの連続走行中に一定時間の凍結完了過程を形成し、前記ワークを梱包し易い同一厚みの形状に整形する接触凍結方法を記載したものである。
本発明は、ワークの凍結に際して効率の良い接触凍結と凍結整形が可能な冷却板を使用したものである。則ち、ワークに凍結用冷熱を与える上下平行に相対向する冷却板にワークを挟持搬送する走行ベルトを介在させ押圧可能に設けたために、高効率の接触凍結を可能にするとともに、前記上下の冷却板の間隙をワークの所用凍結厚さに上下ベルトの厚さを加算した値と同一値に設定すれば、常に同一規格の厚みを持つ凍結整形品を得ることができる。
【００１０】
また、冷却板の使用により従来のブライン収容嚢を使用した接触凍結形フリーザに見られた搬送コンベア幅の制限をうけることがない。
また、前記したようにワークを挟持搬送する走行ベルトを挟んで上下平行に相対向させた冷却板を使用するようにしてあるため、搬送路全域にわたりワークを同じ間隙のもとに押圧凍結整形でき、同一の厚みの凍結整形品を得ることができる。
そして、上記押圧凍結整形を連続走行ベルトを介しての搬送中に行うようにしてあるため、効率的処理が可能である。
【００１１】
また、請求項３，５記載の発明は、柔軟製品を充填した柔軟袋物製品よりなるワークの凍結整形方法において、
上下の相対向する冷却板の間に、同方向に連続走行してワークを挟持搬送する上側走行ベルトと下側走行ベルトよりなる一対の走行ベルトを介在させ、前記冷却板による前記ワークの押圧凍結整形開始後、前記上側冷却板と下側冷却板との少なくとも１を、ワークの凍結膨張に対して一定圧力で応動させながら凍結整形を完了させることを要旨とするものであり、
又請求項４，６記載の発明は、柔軟製品を充填した柔軟袋物製品よりなるワークの凍結整形方法において、
上下の相対向する冷却板の間に、同方向に断続走行してワークを挟持搬送する上側走行ベルトと下側走行ベルトよりなる一対の走行ベルトを介在させ、該走行ベルトの停止時に前記一対の走行ベルトを介して前記上下の冷却板によるワークの押圧を開始して該冷却板によるワークの押圧凍結整形を行い、該押圧凍結整形終了後に前記冷却板の押圧を停止し、前記走行ベルトを軽負荷運転により再走行させて、前記押圧凍結整形したワークを搬出させることを要旨とする。
そして前記いずれの発明も、前記凍結整形に使用する冷却板に、冷ブラインを循環させて所用凍結温度を得るようにしたフラットタンクを使用するか、又は冷却板は、走行ベルトとの当接面に密着用扁平ブライン充填袋を介在させるようにしたことを要件とする。
【００１２】
前記発明は、柔軟袋製品の凍結整形をワークを挟持搬送する走行ベルトの断続運転により行う断続走行式の押圧凍結整形法に関するものである。
則ち、予め走行ベルトの走行によりワークを冷却器設置区間に搬入し、搬入後走行ベルトの走行を停止させ、停止後に冷却器の走行ベルトを介在させての押圧凍結整形を行い、一定時間押圧後凍結整形を終了させ、凍結整形終了後のワークを走行ベルトの走行により取り出すようにしたものである。
【００１３】
上記断続運転による凍結整形の場合は、押圧時に走行ベルトを走行させないため、ワークを収容する袋状容器と走行ベルトとの間の摩擦に起因する袋状容器の破損を防止できる。
また、凍結整形に約３〜５分程度の時間を要するため、搬送距離の短い凍結整形装置には好適な方法である。
【００１４】
【００１５】
そして、凍結整形に当たっては、ワークを押圧する冷却板は予めワークに対し設定した所定整形寸法に上下走行ベルトの厚みを加算して得られた値を間隙値に持つように設けてあるため、投入当初の山高形状の前記間隙値を越える部分には圧力を掛け扁平状に整形し、扁平状に整形された後は凍結の進行につれワークは凍結膨張をして体積が増加するため、冷却板にはその厚みの増加に対応して冷却板の位置を上下に一定圧力のもとに可動させる一定圧の定圧押圧制御機構を付設してある。
【００１６】
【００１７】
請求項３，４記載の発明は、前記凍結整形に使用する冷却板に、冷ブラインを循環させて所用凍結温度を得るようにしたフラットタンクの使用を記載したものである。
【００１８】
また、前記請求項１，２，５及び６記載の冷却板は、走行ベルトとの当接面に密着用扁平ブライン充填袋を介在させるようにしたことを特徴とする。
【００１９】
前記発明は、ワークの不揃い等による押圧面の凹凸を吸収するブライン充填袋について記載したもので、前記冷却板の走行ベルトとの間の当接面にブラインを封入した薄肉の扁平袋を装着介在させて、押圧時にワークの凹凸を吸収密着させ、伝熱効率を上げるようにしたものである。
【００２０】
そして、前記請求項１若しくは３（５）記載の柔軟袋物製品の連続走行式の押圧凍結整形方法を使用した柔軟袋物製品の連続走行式の押圧凍結整形装置は、
柔軟製品を充填した柔軟袋物製品よりなるワークの凍結整形装置において、
トンネル式冷却室の長手方向に、ワークを挟持して搬出入する同方向に走行する上側ベルトと下側ベルトを持つ連続送りの搬送コンベアと、
ワークの押圧整形寸法に対し、上側ベルトと下側ベルトのそれぞれの厚みを加算した間隙を形成する上側ベルトの裏側位置と下側ベルトの裏側位置とに設けた上側冷却板と下側冷却板と、
前記上側冷却板と下側冷却板の両者を可動冷却板として所定押圧寸法以上のワーク寸法の変動に対し一定押圧力で応動させ、ワークに凍結用冷熱を印加する押圧機構と、一定時間の押圧凍結整形時間を持つようにした冷却板敷設区間である凍結領域の搬送時間と、より構成したことを特徴とする。
【００２１】
前記請求項７記載の発明は、請求項１若しくは３（５）記載の柔軟袋物製品の連続走行式の押圧凍結整形方法を使用した連続走行式の押圧凍結整形装置について記載したものである。
則ち、断熱トンネルの長手方向に上下の同一速度で連続走行する搬送コンベアを貫通させて、一方の入口より前記上下コンベアの同一方向に走行する走行ベルトの間にワークを挟持搬送させ、その搬送過程においてワークの押圧凍結整形を連続して行い、連続取出しをさせるように構成したもので、
前記ワークを挟持する上下の走行ベルトのそれぞれの裏側の対抗位置に前記ベルトの走行面に平行に上下の可動冷却板を設け、該上下冷却板の間隙を所用整形寸法に上下走行ベルトの厚みを加算した値により設定するとともに、前記設定した間隙によりワークの形状を山型から扁平状に押圧整形し、冷却板からの冷熱により凍結整形させる構成にしてある。
なお、前記冷却板は上下とも可動冷却板として、凍結時に体積膨張を一定圧力のもとに吸収する押圧機構を設けるとともに、前記冷却板敷設区間よりなる凍結領域の搬送時間が一定時間の押圧凍結整形時間を形成する構成にしてある。
【００２２】
なお、前記押圧機構は、例えば後記する空気圧シリンダを介して可動冷却板のセットを行えば、押圧中は凍結膨張による厚さ変動に対し一定圧のもとにセット位置を変更して対応できる構成にしてある。
【００２３】
また、請求項２若しくは４（６）記載の柔軟製品を充填した柔軟袋物製品の断続走行式の押圧凍結整形方法を使用した断続走行式の押圧凍結整形装置は、
柔軟製品を充填した柔軟袋物製品よりなるワークの断続走行式の凍結整形装置において、
トンネル式冷却室の長手方向に、ワークを挟持して搬出入する同方向に走行する上側ベルトと下側ベルトを持つ断続送りの搬送コンベアと、
ワークの押圧整形寸法に対し、上側ベルトと下側ベルトのそれぞれの厚みを加算した間隙を形成する上側ベルトの裏側位置と下側ベルトの裏側位置とに設けた上側冷却板と下側冷却板と、
前記上側冷却板と下側冷却板の両者を可動冷却板として所定押圧寸法以上のワーク寸法の変動に対し一定押圧力で応動させ、ワークに凍結用冷熱を印加する押圧機構とを設けるとともに、
前記冷却板の敷設区間へのワークの搬入と凍結整形終了品の外部への搬出を行う起動手段と、前記敷設区間への搬入ワークに対し一定時間にわたり押圧凍結整形をする運転停止期間を形成する運転停止手段を前記搬送コンベアに設け、
押圧開始手段と押圧停止手段とを前記押圧機構に設け、
前記運転停止手段に押圧開始手段を連動させ、起動手段に押圧停止手段を連動させる制御部とを設けた、
ことを特徴とする。
【００２４】
前記請求項８記載の発明は、断続走行式の押圧凍結整形装置に係わるもので、
前記押圧凍結整形装置の搬送コンベアに、前記冷却板の敷設区間へのワークの搬入と凍結整形終了品の外部への搬出を行う起動手段と、前記敷設区間への搬入ワークに対し一定時間にわたり押圧凍結整形をする運転停止期間を形成する運転停止手段を設け、
押圧機構に押圧開始手段と押圧停止手段とを設け、
前記運転停止手段に押圧開始手段を連動させ、起動手段に押圧停止手段を連動させる制御部とを設ける構成としたものである。
則ち、走行ベルトの起動によりワークを冷却板敷設区間よりなる凍結領域への搬入を押圧停止のもとに行い、ついで走行ベルトの走行停止期間に搬入されたワークの一定圧のもとに一定時間の押圧凍結整形を行い、押圧停止を行うとともに走行ベルトを起動させ凍結整形の終了したワークを外部へ搬出する構成にしてある。
なお、前記押圧停止は、押圧機構の可動冷却板のセットに使用した空気圧シリンダへの圧縮空気の供給停止により可能にしている。
【００２５】
また、前記可動冷却板は、空気圧シリンダを介して設定する構成としたことを特徴とする。
【００２６】
前記請求項９記載の発明は、可動冷却板のセットに空気圧シリンダを使用し、ワークの厚み変動に対し一定圧のもとにセット位置を変更して吸収する構成について記載したものである。
【００２７】
【００２８】
【００２９】
【００３０】
【００３１】
【００３２】
前記請求項１１記載の発明は、押圧機構が上部冷却板を固定し下部冷却板を可動させる機構よりなることを記載したものである。
【００３３】
また、前記請求項７，８記載の可動冷却板は、走行ベルトの当接面に冷ブライン充填の例えばアルミ製柔軟接触面を形成させる構成としたことを特徴とする。
【００３４】
前記発明は、可動冷却板のベルト当接面にワークの凹凸を吸収させて密着面を形成させるべくブライン充填の扁平状薄肉袋を設ける構成について記載したもので、請求項６の場合はともに可動する上下の冷却板に設け、請求項１０の場合は上部冷却板に設け、請求項１１の場合は下部冷却板に設ける構成にしてある。
【００３５】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施例の形態を、図示例と共に説明する。ただし、この実施例に記載されている構成部品の寸法、形状、その相対的位置等は特に特定的な記載がないかぎりは、この発明の範囲をそれに限定する趣旨ではなく、単なる説明例にすぎない。以下図面に基づいて本発明の詳細を説明する。
図１は、本発明の柔軟袋物製品の押圧凍結整形装置の一実施例を示す概略の構成を示す図で、図２は図１の押圧機構の概略の構成を示すＡ−Ａ視図で、（Ａ）は上下の冷却板を可動冷却板とした場合を示す片側を破断した破断図で、（Ｂ）は上側冷却板を可動冷却板とした場合を示す片側を破断した破断図で、（Ｃ）は下側冷却板を可動冷却板とした場合を示す片側を破断した破断図である。図３は図１の別の実施例を示す図で、（Ａ）は上下冷却板を可動冷却板とした場合を示す概略図で、（Ｂ）は上側冷却板を可動冷却板とした場合を示す概略図で、（Ｃ）は下側冷却板を可動冷却板とした場合を示す概略である。図４は図１の押圧凍結整形装置の連続走行式の場合のワークのフロー図である。図５は図１の押圧凍結整形装置の断続走行式の場合を示す図で、（Ａ）は制御ブロック図で、（Ｂ）は（Ａ）に示す制御系の制御手順を示すフロー図である。
【００３６】
図１に示すように、本発明の柔軟袋物製品の連続／断続走行式の押圧凍結整形装置は、断熱トンネル２５を長手方向に貫通して同一方向、同一速度で連続／断続走行可能の走行ベルト１１ａ、１１ｂにより柔軟袋物製品よりなるワーク１０を挟持搬送する搬送コンベア１１と、
前記走行ベルト１１ａ、１１ｂのワーク挟持面の裏側の相対応する位置に設けた下側冷却板１２ａと上側冷却板１２ｂの複数対よりなる押圧部１２と、
上記押圧部１２を作動させて、前記搬送コンベア１１の運転／停止時に、ワーク１０を走行ベルト１１ａ、１１ｂを介して前記冷却板１２ａ、１２ｂにより押圧する押圧機構２０と、
前記断続式の場合に使用する前記搬送コンベア１１に設けた運転停止手段と起動手段と、前記押圧機構に２０に設けた押圧開始手段と押圧停止手段と、を制御して、搬入したワークに所用の押圧凍結整形をして断続的に取り出す制御部３０とより構成する。
【００３７】
前記搬送コンベア１１は、前記したようにエンドレスの軽量、耐熱合成繊維アラミド製の走行ベルト１１ａ、１１ｂよりなり、それぞれインバータ・モータＭ_１、Ｍ_２により同一速度に調整されワーク挟持面では互いに同方向に連続／断続走行可能に構成するとともに、前記断続走行のための運転停止手段・起動手段３１（図５に図示）を備える構成にしてある。
【００３８】
前記押圧部１２は、図１のＡ−Ａ視図である図２に見るように、ワークを挟持走行する走行ベルト１１ａ、１１ｂのそれぞれ裏面の対向位置に設けられ、ベルト接触面にテフロン加工をした水平型のフラットタンクよりなる下側冷却板１２ａと上側冷却板１２ｂとより構成した上下可動の対状の複数組をワーク搬送方向に延設したもので、それぞれの冷却板を形成するフラットタンクには冷ブライン循環路１２ｄを介して約−４０℃前後の冷ブラインが循環するようにしてある。
【００３９】
なお、上記押圧部１２は、図２（Ａ）に示す上下冷却板１２ａ、１２ｂをともに可動冷却板としてワーク１０の両側より可動可能な構造とした場合と、図の（Ｂ）に示す上側冷却板１２ｂを可動冷却板として可動可能な構造にした場合と、図の（Ｃ）に示す下側冷却板１２ａを可動冷却板として可動可能な構造とした場合とがある。
【００４０】
前記押圧機構２０には、図２に見るように、上下の冷却板をワークに対し同時に作動させて押圧する押圧機構２０ａと、上側冷却板をワークに対し作動させて押圧する押圧機構２０ｂと、下側冷却板１２ａをワークに対し作動させて押圧する押圧機構２０ｃとがある。
なお、図の（Ａ）、（Ｂ）、（Ｃ）に見るように、何れの押圧機構を使用する場合も、押圧時には、走行ベルト１１ａ、１１ｂを介在させて上下の冷却板により押圧し、ワーク１０の上下両面よりの接触凍結を可能とする構成にしてある。
【００４１】
図２（Ａ）に示す押圧機構２０ａは、フレーム１５の上下に直立ガイド１９を介して上下に可動可能に設けた上側冷却板１２ｂと下側冷却板１２ａに対し上下のストッパ１８ａ、１８ｂを設け間隙Ｓ２を設定している。
上記間隙Ｓ２はワーク１０の所用整形厚み寸法Ｓ１に走行ベルト１１ａ、１１ｂの厚みを加算した値である。
なお、フレーム１５の上下にはエアシリンダ１７ａ、１７ｂを設け該シリンダのピストンロッドの先端にストッパを設け前記冷却板１２ａ、１２ｂのサイドを矢印方向に一定圧力Ｆで吸引してワーク１０を押圧する構成にしてある。
上記構成により押圧開始は前記エアシリンダへの圧縮空気の供給開始により行い、押圧停止は圧縮空気の供給停止により行うようにしてある。
【００４２】
なお、凍結時には図のワーク１０の周囲の点線に示す体積膨張が形成されるため、前記エアシリンダ１７ａ、１７ｂにより一定圧力Ｆのもとに押圧位置を変更して吸収する。
【００４３】
図２（Ｂ）に示す押圧機構２０ｂは、フレーム１５の上側に直立ガイド１９を介して上側に可動可能に設けた上側冷却板１２ｂを設けるとともにストッパ１８ｂを設け、前記フレーム１５の下側には下側冷却板１２ａを固設させ、ワーク１０の厚み規制をする間隙Ｓ２を設定している。
そして、フレーム１５の上側にはエアシリンダ１７ｂを設け、該シリンダのピストンロッドの先端にはストッパを設け前記冷却板１２ｂのサイドを矢印方向に一定圧力Ｆで吸引してワーク１０を押圧する構成にしてある。
上記構成により押圧開始は前記エアシリンダへの圧縮空気の供給開始により行い、押圧停止は圧縮空気の供給停止により行うようにしてある。
【００４４】
なお、凍結時には図のワーク１０の周囲の点線に示す体積膨張が形成されるため、前記エアシリンダ１７ｂにより一定圧力Ｆのもとに押圧位置を変更して吸収する。
【００４５】
図２（Ｃ）に示す押圧機構２０ｃは、フレーム１５の下側に直立ガイド１９を介して下側に可動可能に設けた下側冷却板１２ａを設けるとともにストッパ１８ａを設け、前記フレーム１５の上側には上側冷却板１２ｂを固設させ、ワーク１０の厚み規制をする間隙Ｓ２を設定している。
そして、フレーム１５の下側にはエアシリンダ１７ａを設け、該シリンダのピストンロッドの先端にはストッパを設け前記冷却板１２ａのサイドを矢印方向に一定圧力Ｆで吸引してワーク１０を押圧する構成にしてある。
上記構成により押圧開始は前記エアシリンダへの圧縮空気の供給開始により行い、押圧停止は圧縮空気の供給停止により行うようにしてある。
【００４６】
図３には、本発明の別の実施例の概略の構成を示してある。図に見るように、前記上下の冷却板１２ａ、１２ｂのうちの可動可能に構成した可動冷却板の走行ベルト側に当接する当接面に全厚み約２ｍｍ程度のブラインを封入した例えばアルミフィルム等の柔軟製の扁平ブライン袋を介在させ、ワークの固体差による凹凸を吸収して密着面を形成させ、ワークとの効率の良い接触凍結をするようにしてある。
なお、この構成の場合は前記した凍結時の体積膨張も吸収できる。
図の（Ａ）には上下冷却板を可動冷却板とした場合で上下にブライン袋２１ａ、２１ｂを設けた状況を示し、（Ｂ）は上側冷却板１２ｂを可動冷却板とした場合でブライン袋２１ｂを設けた状況を示し、（Ｃ）は下側冷却板１２ａを可動冷却板とした場合でブライン袋２１ａを設けた状況を示してある。
上記扁平ブライン袋の使用の場合は、後記する連続走行式の場合に比較して、押圧凍結整形を搬送コンベアの運転停止中に行う断続走行式の方がブライン袋のうける損傷は小さくて済む。
【００４７】
図４は、図１の押圧凍結整形装置の連続走行式の場合のワークのフロー図である。
図に見るように、
ステップ３５の「搬送コンベア起動」で、
起動手段３１ｂを介して搬送コンベア１１を起動させ運転状態に置く。
なお、図１に示す断熱トンネル２５において、押圧部１２を形成する冷却板の敷設区間である凍結領域１２ｅをワーク１０が通過する搬送時間は、押圧凍結整形に要する一定時間が必要で、ワークに所用の押圧凍結整形を行うために、上記冷却板敷設区間である凍結領域１２ｅを少なくとも前記一定時間以上をかけて通過させるべく適切な搬送速度を設定してある。
ステップ３６の「ワーク投入」で、
ワークを連続投入する。
ステップ３７の「冷却開始」で、
投入されたワークが前記冷却板敷設区間である凍結領域の入口に到達すると、ワークは上下の冷却板より冷熱供給を受け押圧凍結整形が開始される。
ステップ３８の「ワークの凍結膨張開始」で、
冷熱の供給をうけたワークは暫時にして凍結状態に入り、凍結膨張を開始する。
ステップ３９の「可動冷却板作動、一定圧力で押圧」で、
前記押圧機構２０に設けたエアシリンダ１７ａ、１７ｂにより前記体積膨張に対しても一定圧力で応動する。
ステップ４０の「凍結整形完了」で、
冷却開始後一定時間が経過して押圧凍結整形が完了する。前記一定時間は約３．５分程度である。その際、ワークは前記冷却板敷設区間である凍結領域１２ｅの出口に到達する。
ステップ４１の「ワーク取出し」で、
凍結整形したワークの連続取り出しにより効率的な処理ができる。
【００４８】
図５は、図１の押圧凍結整形装置の断続走行式の場合を示す図で、（Ａ）は制御ブロック図で、（Ｂ）は（Ａ）に示す制御系の制御手順を示すフロー図である。
図の（Ａ）に見るように、
図１に示す押圧凍結整形装置を前記断続式に使用する場合は、前記搬送コンベア１１に設けた運転停止手段と起動手段と、前記押圧機構２０に設けた押圧開始手段と押圧停止手段と、を制御して、搬入したワークに所用の押圧凍結整形を行って取り出す制御部３０とより制御系を構成する。
上記制御系の構成は、図５の（Ａ）に見るように、制御部３０よりの制御指令は、その一は運転停止手段３１ａと起動手段３１ｂを経て搬送コンベア１１への伝達系統と、他の一の押圧開始手段３２ａと押圧停止手段３２ｂを経て、更に押圧機構２０を経て可動冷却板１２ａ、１２ｂへの伝達系統より構成する。
【００４９】
図の（Ｂ）には（Ａ）に示す制御系の制御手順を示すフロー図である。フロー図によりワークの押圧凍結整形時の作動手順を下記に説明する。
則ち、
ステップ３５ａの「搬送コンベア起動」で、
予め前記図１の押圧凍結整形装置の冷却板敷設区間である凍結領域１２ｅの長さに相当する載置長さを持つワーク量を用意してコンベアに載置後、起動手段３１ｂを介して起動させ運転状態に置く。
なお、上記起動時には前記押圧停止手段３２ｂを介して押圧機構２０のエアシリンダ１７ａ、１７ｂへの圧縮空気の供給を停止させ、冷却板を押圧停止の状態に移行させ、軽負荷運転を行わせる。
ステップ３６ａの「ワークの搬入」で、
前記載置したワークの冷却板敷設区間である凍結領域内への搬送を終了する。
ステップ３７ａの「搬送コンベア運転停止」で、
ワークが前記凍結領域内への搬送を終了した状態で前記運転停止手段３１ａを介してコンベア１１の運転を停止させる。
ステップ３８ａの「押圧開始」で、
前記搬送コンベア１１を停止させた後、前記押圧開始手段３２ａを介して押圧機構２０のエアシリンダ１７ａ、１７ｂに圧縮空気を供給し作動させ、一定圧力のもとに押圧を開始し、押圧凍結整形を開始する。
ステップ３９ａの「押圧凍結整形終了」で、
前記押圧開始後一定時間経過後押圧凍結整形を終了する。
ステップ４０ａの「押圧停止」で、
前記一定時間経過後、押圧停止手段３２ｂを介してエアシリンダ１７ａ、１７ｂへの圧縮空気の供給を停止させ、冷却板を押圧停止状態にする。
ステップ４１ａの「搬送コンベア起動」で、
前記起動手段３１ｂを介して搬送コンベア１１を起動させ、軽負荷運転により押圧凍結整形の終了したワークを搬出する。
斯くして、押圧凍結整形が終了する。
【００５０】
なお、上記断続走行式の押圧凍結整形の方式を使用する場合は、押圧凍結整形は搬送コンベアの停止期間に行い、ワークの冷却敷設区間である凍結領域１２ｅへの搬入と該区間からの搬出する搬送コンベアの運転時には冷却板の押圧停止を介して行うため軽負荷運転を行うことができ、冷却板に対する走行ベルトの摩擦による損傷を防止できる。
【００５１】
前記連続式／断続式の何れの方式を採るにしても、ワークの上下両面から平行に押圧する冷却板の使用及び、ブライン袋の使用により、投入ワークに対し予め設定した製品厚みを持つ凍結整形品を得ることができ、梱包効率を上げることができる。
【００５２】
【発明の効果】
上記構成により本発明は、多量の水を含む柔軟袋物製品の押圧凍結整形において、冷却板の使用により同一規格の凍結整形品を得るとともに、ブライン袋の使用によりワーク別の固体差による凹凸を吸収して完全接触凍結を可能とするとともに、凍結時の体積膨張を吸収し、梱包に最適な形状に整形した柔軟凍結袋物製品を得ることができる。
また、前記同一規格の凍結整形品は表裏ともに平坦な形状を呈し、商品価値の向上を図ることができ、併せて梱包時の容積比率を上げることが可能で、外箱の所用大きさは従来の約３／４で済み運送コストの大幅削減に貢献することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の柔軟袋物製品の押圧凍結整形装置の一実施例を示す概略の構成を示す図である。
【図２】図１の押圧機構の概略の構成を示すＡ−Ａ視図で、（Ａ）は上下の冷却板を可動冷却板とした場合を示す片側を破断した破断図で、（Ｂ）は上側冷却板を可動冷却板とした場合を示す片側を破断した破断図で、（Ｃ）は下側冷却板を可動冷却板とした場合を示す片側を破断した破断図である。
【図３】図１の別の実施例を示す図で、（Ａ）は上下冷却板を可動冷却板とした場合を示す概略図で、（Ｂ）は上側冷却板を可動冷却板とした場合を示す概略図で、（Ｃ）は下側冷却板を可動冷却板とした場合を示す概略である。
【図４】図１の押圧凍結整形装置の連続走行式の場合のワークのフロー図である。
【図５】図１の押圧凍結整形装置の断続走行式の場合を示す図で、（Ａ）は制御ブロック図で、（Ｂ）は（Ａ）に示す制御系の制御手順を示すフロー図である。
【図６】従来の接触冷却をする連続凍結装置の概略の構成を示す図である。
【図７】従来の接触冷却をする連続凍結装置の別の実施例を示す図である。
【符号の説明】
１０ワーク
１１搬送コンベア
１１ａ、１１ｂ走行ベルト
１２押圧部
１２ｅ凍結領域
１２ａ、１２ｂ冷却板
１５フレーム
１７ａ、１７ｂエアシリンダ
１８ａ、１８ｂストッパ
１９ガイド
２０押圧機構
２１ａ、２１ｂブライン袋
２５断熱トンネル
３０制御部
３１ａ運転停止手段
３１ｂ起動手段
３２ａ押圧開始手段
３２ｂ押圧停止手段[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a method for pressing and freezing a flexible bag product in which a product such as a flexible food containing a large amount of moisture is placed in a flexible bag-like container, and an apparatus therefor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  There is a continuous freezing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-161664 for freezing such flexible bag products. As shown in FIG. 6, this device has almost the same structure as a structure generally known as a double contact belt freezer, and has a drive-side wheel 55 a that is driven by an electric motor 55 at both longitudinal ends of a heat-insulating casing 51. A steel belt conveyor 52 provided with a tension side sheave 55b is arranged, a brine tank 54 is provided on the back side of the steel belt 52a of the conveyor, and a cold brine 53 is circulated and sprayed to cool the back surface of the steel belt. The article to be frozen 50 is placed on the lower steel belt 52a and proceeds from the driven side to the driving side.
  On the other hand, on the upper part of the steel belt conveyor 52a, the cold brine 63 is circulated in the flexible sheet 62, and is provided via the attachment of the flexible sheet conveyor 61 that moves along the guide rail. The flexible sheet 62 is interlocked by the steel belt conveyor 52a in a state where the flexible sheet 62 is directly covered from the upper part of the article to be frozen 50 by the weight of the refrigerant, and the article to be frozen 50 moves between the steel belt 52a and the sheet 62 while moving from the entrance to the exit. It is frozen continuously by contact freezing.
  The flexible sheet conveyor 61 is driven by the frictional force between the flexible sheet 62, the steel belt 52a and the article 50 to be frozen.
  The flexible sheet 62 is a thin special sheet having flexibility and mechanical strength at a low temperature of −40 ° C. and high thermal conductivity.
  The cold brine circulating through the brine tank on the inner surface of the sheet and the rear surface of the steel belt is connected by a single line of brine piping.
[0003]
  In the above proposal, the flexible sheet 62 in which the cold brine is circulated is brought into contact with the upper part of the article to be frozen 50 which is placed on the steel belt 52a cooled by the cold brine and travels, and is in contact with the article to be frozen. 50 upper and lower surfaces are cooled by a contact freezing method on the entire surface to achieve rapid surface freezing.
  In the above proposal, the steel belt mounting surface of the article to be frozen 50 is smooth, but the contact surface of the flexible sheet is frozen while maintaining the shape at the time of loading. It is impossible to obtain a frozen product having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.
[0004]
  Further, as a device for freezing the product to be frozen while being nipped and conveyed by the upper and lower conveyors, a continuous freezing device by contact freezing shown in FIG. 7 is used.
  As shown in the figure, the freezing device is provided with sprockets 65 and 66 on the rotary shafts provided at the inlet and outlet of the device 65a, the endless belts 74a and 74b are hung around the sprockets, and the endless belt 74a that circulates on the upper side. An endless belt 74b that circulates the lower side is brought into contact with a brine containing sac 75 made of a flexible and wear-resistant waterproof sheet that accommodates the cold brine cooled by the cooler on the entire back surface in contact with the article 70 to be frozen. Cold brine is ejected from a large number of nozzles 76 provided toward the back side in contact with the water, and the ejected liquid is received and collected by a tray 78.
[0005]
  The continuous freezing and shaping apparatus shown in FIG. 7 is a method in which the article to be frozen 70 is contact-frozen by the upper and lower endless belts 74a and 74b.
  In the case of contact freezing by pressing the upper and lower endless belts, it is suitable for those that do not cause the shape of food such as bags to collapse, but has the following drawbacks.
  a, there is a limit to the width of the waterproof sheet that accommodates the cold brine, and the contact resistance between the brine-containing sac and the endless belt may increase, making it impossible to increase the conveyor width;
  b. For the upper and lower belts, the gap between them determined by the difference in the extension of the upper belt should be set to the same value over the entire conveying path, while the lower belt is extended under appropriate tension between the sprockets at both ends. Is difficult,
  c, since there is no function to press the article to be frozen sandwiched between the upper and lower belts to a certain thickness, and the upper belt is pressed against the article to be frozen on the lower belt, so that the thickness of the article to be frozen can be regulated. That freeze shaping is impossible,
  There are problems such as.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  By the way, for example, when freezing a bag product in which a gel-like product containing a large amount of water is put in a bag, the shape becomes round, and there is a problem that it is not suitable for storage packaging in a cardboard case etc., at least the same thickness It is necessary to freeze and shape.
[0007]
  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and when freezing a flexible bag product containing a large amount of water, it is shaped into the same shape that is optimal for packaging to improve the product value, and by increasing the volume ratio at the time of packaging. An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for press freezing and shaping a flexible bag product, which can be packed in a small outer box and can improve transportation cost.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  Therefore,The invention according to claim 1 is a method of freezing and shaping a workpiece comprising a flexible bag product filled with a flexible product.
  Between a pair of upper and lower cooling plates facing each other, a pair of traveling belts that continuously run in the same direction and sandwich and convey the workpiece are interposed, and press freezing and shaping for a certain period of time by the cooling plates to enable continuous removal of the workpiece. With
  The cooling plate is characterized in that a flat brine filling bag for contact is interposed on a contact surface with the running belt.
  Further, the invention according to claim 2 is a method for freezing and shaping a workpiece comprising a flexible bag product filled with a flexible product.
  Between a pair of upper and lower opposing cooling plates, a pair of traveling belts that intermittently travel in the same direction and pinch and convey the workpiece are interposed, and when the traveling belt is stopped, press freezing shaping with the cooling plate is performed, and after the press freezing shaping is completed While running the running belt, enabling intermittent removal of the workpiece,
  The cooling plate is characterized in that a flat brine filling bag for contact is interposed on a contact surface with the running belt.
[0009]
  in frontMemorandumMing is a method of press freezing and shaping a flexible bag product containing a large amount of water, forming a freeze completion process for a certain time during continuous running of the running belt that pinches and conveys the workpiece, and the shape of the same thickness that makes it easy to pack the workpiece The contact freezing method for shaping is described.
  The present invention uses a cooling plate capable of efficient contact freezing and freezing shaping when a workpiece is frozen. In other words, since the traveling belt that sandwiches and conveys the work is interposed between the cooling plates that are opposed to each other in parallel with each other and that gives cold heat for freezing to the work, it is possible to perform contact freezing with high efficiency and If the gap between the cooling plates is set to the same value as the value obtained by adding the thickness of the upper and lower belts to the desired frozen thickness of the workpiece, a freeze-formed product having the same standard thickness can be obtained.
[0010]
  Further, the use of the cooling plate does not impose the limitation of the conveyor width seen in the conventional contact freezing type freezer using the brine containing sac.
  In addition, as described above, the cooling plates that are vertically opposed to each other across the traveling belt that sandwiches and conveys the workpiece are used, so that the workpiece can be pressed and frozen in the same gap across the entire conveyance path. A freeze-shaped article having the same thickness can be obtained.
  And since the said press freezing shaping is performed during conveyance via a continuous running belt, an efficient process is possible.
[0011]
  Also,The invention according to claims 3 and 5 is a method of freezing and shaping a workpiece comprising a flexible bag product filled with a flexible product.
  Between the upper and lower opposing cooling plates, a pair of traveling belts consisting of an upper traveling belt and a lower traveling belt that continuously travel in the same direction and sandwich and convey the workpiece are interposed, and press freezing shaping of the workpiece by the cooling plate is started. Then, the gist is to complete the freezing shaping while moving at least one of the upper cooling plate and the lower cooling plate at a constant pressure against the freezing and expansion of the workpiece,
  orThe invention according to claims 4 and 6 is a method for freezing and shaping a workpiece comprising a flexible bag product filled with a flexible product.
  A pair of traveling belts consisting of an upper traveling belt and a lower traveling belt that intermittently travel in the same direction and sandwich and convey a workpiece are interposed between upper and lower opposing cooling plates, and the pair of traveling belts are stopped when the traveling belt is stopped. The workpiece is pressed and frozen by the upper and lower cooling plates, and the workpiece is pressed and frozen by the cooling plate. After the pressing and freezing shaping is finished, the pressing of the cooling plate is stopped and the traveling belt is operated at a light load. The gist is to carry out the re-running to carry out the work that has been press-frozen and shaped.
  In any of the above inventions, the cooling plate used for the freeze shaping uses a flat tank in which cold brine is circulated to obtain a desired freezing temperature, or the cooling plate is in contact with the running belt. It is a requirement that a flat brine filling bag for adhesion is interposed between the two.
[0012]
  in frontMemorandumMing relates to an intermittent running type press freezing shaping method in which the freezing shaping of the flexible bag product is carried out by the intermittent running of the running belt that holds and conveys the workpiece.
  In other words, the work is carried into the cooler installation section by running the running belt in advance, the running of the running belt is stopped after loading, and after the stop, press freezing shaping is performed with the running belt of the cooler interposed, and pressing for a certain time The post-freezing shaping is finished, and the work after the freezing shaping is taken out by running of the running belt.
[0013]
  In the case of the freeze shaping by the intermittent operation, the traveling belt is not traveled at the time of pressing, so that the bag-shaped container can be prevented from being damaged due to the friction between the traveling container and the bag-like container that accommodates the workpiece.
  Moreover, since it takes about 3 to 5 minutes for the freezing and shaping, this method is suitable for a freezing and shaping apparatus with a short conveying distance.
[0014]
[0015]
SoIn the freezing shaping, the cooling plate that presses the workpiece is provided so as to have a value obtained by adding the thickness of the upper and lower traveling belts to a predetermined shaping dimension set in advance for the workpiece in the gap value. The part that exceeds the gap value of the peak shape at the beginning of application is pressured and shaped into a flat shape. After being shaped into a flat shape, the workpiece is frozen and expanded as the freezing progresses, so the volume increases. Is provided with a constant pressure constant pressure control mechanism for moving the position of the cooling plate up and down with a constant pressure corresponding to the increase in thickness.
[0016]
[0017]
  Claim3, 4The described invention describes the use of a flat tank in which cold brine is circulated on the cooling plate used for the freezing shaping to obtain a desired freezing temperature.
[0018]
  Also, the claim1, 2, 5 and 6The described cooling plate is characterized in that a flat brine filling bag for adhesion is interposed on the contact surface with the running belt.
[0019]
  in frontMemorandumMing describes a brine-filled bag that absorbs unevenness of the pressing surface due to workpiece irregularities, etc., and a thin flat bag filled with brine is attached to the contact surface between the cooling plate and the running belt. In this way, the unevenness of the workpiece is absorbed and adhered when pressed to increase the heat transfer efficiency.
[0020]
  And said claim 1 or 3(5)The continuous running type press freezing and shaping apparatus for flexible bag products using the continuous running type press freezing and shaping method for flexible bag products,
  In the work freezing and shaping device consisting of flexible bag products filled with flexible products,
  In the longitudinal direction of the tunnel-type cooling chamber, a continuous feed conveyor having an upper belt and a lower belt that run in the same direction to sandwich and carry a workpiece,
  An upper cooling plate and a lower cooling plate provided at a back side position of the upper belt and a back side position of the lower belt that form a gap obtained by adding the thicknesses of the upper belt and the lower belt to the press shaping dimension of the workpiece; ,
  The upper cooling plate and the lower cooling plate are both movable cooling plates, and a pressing mechanism for applying a freezing heat to the workpiece by pressing the workpiece with a constant pressing force against a change in workpiece size exceeding a predetermined pressing size, and pressing for a predetermined time It is characterized by comprising a transport time of a freezing area which is a cooling plate laying section having a freezing time.
[0021]
  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 1 or 3.(5)The continuous running type press freezing and shaping apparatus using the continuous running type press freezing and shaping method of the described flexible bag product is described.
  In other words, a work conveyer that runs continuously at the same speed up and down in the longitudinal direction of the heat insulating tunnel is passed through, and a work is sandwiched and carried between the running belts that run in the same direction of the upper and lower conveyers from one entrance, and the work is carried. In the process, press freezing and shaping of the workpiece is continuously performed, and it is configured to take out continuously,
  Upper and lower movable cooling plates are provided parallel to the running surface of the belt at opposing positions on the back sides of the upper and lower traveling belts that sandwich the workpiece, and the thickness of the upper and lower traveling belts is set so that the gap between the upper and lower cooling plates is a desired shaping dimension. The workpiece is set according to the added value, and the shape of the workpiece is pressed and shaped from a mountain shape to a flat shape by the set gap, and is frozen and shaped by cold heat from the cooling plate.
  The cooling plate is a movable cooling plate on both the upper and lower sides, and is provided with a pressing mechanism that absorbs volume expansion under a constant pressure during freezing. The shaping time is formed.
[0022]
  Note that the pressing mechanism is configured such that, for example, if a movable cooling plate is set via a pneumatic cylinder, which will be described later, the setting position can be changed under a constant pressure against thickness fluctuation due to freezing and expansion during pressing It is.
[0023]
  Claim 2 or 4(6)An intermittent traveling type press freezing shaping device using an intermittent traveling type press freezing shaping method of a flexible bag product filled with the described flexible product is
  In the freeze shaping device of the intermittent running type of work consisting of flexible bag products filled with flexible products,
  In the longitudinal direction of the tunnel-type cooling chamber, an intermittently fed conveyor having an upper belt and a lower belt that run in the same direction to sandwich and carry a workpiece,
  An upper cooling plate and a lower cooling plate provided at a back side position of the upper belt and a back side position of the lower belt that form a gap obtained by adding the thicknesses of the upper belt and the lower belt to the press shaping dimension of the workpiece; ,
  While providing both of the upper cooling plate and the lower cooling plate as a movable cooling plate with a constant pressing force to the variation of the workpiece size above a predetermined pressing size, and a pressing mechanism for applying the cold heat for freezing to the workpiece,
  An activation means for carrying in the work to the laying section of the cooling plate and carrying out the frozen shaping finished product to the outside, and an operation stop period for performing pressure freezing shaping for a certain time with respect to the work carried into the laying section are formed. An operation stop means is provided on the conveyor,
  A pressing start means and a pressing stop means are provided in the pressing mechanism,
  A control unit that interlocks the press start unit with the operation stop unit and interlocks the press stop unit with the start unit is provided,
  It is characterized by that.
[0024]
  Said claim8Described inventionIs intermittentIt is related to the traveling type press freezing and shaping device,
  in frontPressOn the conveyor of the pressure freezing and shaping device, start means for carrying the work into the laying section of the cooling plate and carrying out the frozen shaping finished product to the outside, and press freezing for a certain time against the work carried into the laying section An operation stop means for forming an operation stop period for shaping is provided,
  The pressing mechanism is provided with pressing start means and pressing stop means,
  The operation stop means is linked to the pressing start means, and the starting means is linked to the pressing stop means.
  In other words, when the running belt is started, the work is brought into the freezing area consisting of the cooling plate laying section under the pressure stop, and then constant under the constant pressure of the work carried during the running stop period of the running belt. The structure is configured to carry out time pressing / freezing shaping, stop pressing, and activate the traveling belt to carry out the work for which the shaping has been completed.
  The pressing stop is made possible by stopping the supply of compressed air to the pneumatic cylinder used for setting the movable cooling plate of the pressing mechanism.
[0025]
  Also beforePossibleThe dynamic cooling plate is configured to be set through a pneumatic cylinder.
[0026]
  Said claim9The described invention describes a configuration in which a pneumatic cylinder is used for setting the movable cooling plate, and the set position is changed and absorbed with respect to a variation in workpiece thickness under a constant pressure.
[0027]
[0028]
[0029]
[0030]
[0031]
[0032]
  The invention described in claim 11 is that the pressing mechanism comprises a mechanism for fixing the upper cooling plate and moving the lower cooling plate.
[0033]
  Also, the claim7,8The movable cooling plate is filled with cold brine on the contact surface of the running belt.For exampleAn aluminum flexible contact surface is formed.
[0034]
  in frontMemorandumAkira should absorb the unevenness of the workpiece on the belt contact surface of the movable cooling plate to form a contact surface.KubuIn the case of claim 6, it is provided on the upper and lower cooling plates, the case of claim 10 is provided on the upper cooling plate, and the case of claim 11 is described. The structure is provided on the lower cooling plate.
[0035]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Hereinafter, the form of the Example of this invention is demonstrated with the example of illustration. However, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, shapes, relative positions, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are merely illustrative examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Absent. The details of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration showing an embodiment of a press freezing and shaping apparatus for a flexible bag product according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an AA view showing a schematic configuration of a pressing mechanism of FIG. (A) is a fractured view in which one side is broken when the upper and lower cooling plates are movable cooling plates, and (B) is a broken view in which one side is broken when the upper cooling plate is a movable cooling plate. C) is a cutaway view in which one side is broken, showing a case where the lower cooling plate is a movable cooling plate. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another embodiment of FIG. 1, (A) is a schematic diagram showing the case where the upper and lower cooling plates are movable cooling plates, and (B) is the case where the upper cooling plate is a movable cooling plate. FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram illustrating a case where the lower cooling plate is a movable cooling plate. FIG. 4 is a work flow diagram in the case of the continuous running type of the press freezing and shaping apparatus of FIG. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing the intermittent running type of the press freezing and shaping apparatus of FIG. 1, in which FIG. 5A is a control block diagram, and FIG. .
[0036]
  As shown in FIG. 1, the continuous / intermittent traveling type press freezing and shaping apparatus for flexible bag products of the present invention penetrates the heat insulating tunnel 25 in the longitudinal direction and can travel continuously / intermittently at the same direction and at the same speed. A transport conveyor 11 for sandwiching and transporting a workpiece 10 made of a flexible bag product by 11a and 11b;
  A pressing portion 12 comprising a plurality of pairs of a lower cooling plate 12a and an upper cooling plate 12b provided at corresponding positions on the back side of the work clamping surface of the traveling belts 11a, 11b;
  A pressing mechanism 20 that operates the pressing unit 12 to press the workpiece 10 by the cooling plates 12a and 12b via the traveling belts 11a and 11b when the transport conveyor 11 is operated / stopped;
  The operation stop means and start means provided in the conveyor 11 used in the case of the intermittent type, and the press start means and press stop means provided in the pressing mechanism 20 are controlled to be used for the work carried in. The controller 30 is configured to be intermittently removed by pressing and freezing.
[0037]
  As described above, the conveyor 11 includes the endless lightweight, heat-resistant synthetic fiber aramid running belts 11a and 11b, which are respectively an inverter motor M.₁, M₂Thus, the workpiece clamping surfaces are configured to be capable of continuous / intermittent travel in the same direction, and provided with an operation stopping means / starting means 31 (shown in FIG. 5) for the intermittent travel.
[0038]
  As shown in FIG. 2 which is an AA view of FIG. 1, the pressing portion 12 is provided at a position opposed to each of the back surfaces of the traveling belts 11 a and 11 b that sandwich and run the workpiece, and the belt contact surface is subjected to Teflon processing. A flat tank which is formed by extending a plurality of vertically movable pair-like sets composed of a lower cooling plate 12a and an upper cooling plate 12b made of a horizontal flat tank to form the respective cooling plates. In this case, a cold brine of about −40 ° C. is circulated through the cold brine circulation path 12d.
[0039]
  The pressing portion 12 has a structure in which the upper and lower cooling plates 12a and 12b shown in FIG. 2A can be moved from both sides of the workpiece 10 as a movable cooling plate, and the upper cooling shown in FIG. There are a case where the plate 12b has a movable structure as a movable cooling plate and a case where the lower cooling plate 12a shown in FIG.
[0040]
  As shown in FIG. 2, the pressing mechanism 20 includes a pressing mechanism 20a that simultaneously operates and presses the upper and lower cooling plates against the workpiece, a pressing mechanism 20b that operates and presses the upper cooling plate against the workpiece, There is a pressing mechanism 20c that operates and presses the lower cooling plate 12a against the workpiece.
  In addition, as shown in (A), (B), and (C) of the figure, when using any pressing mechanism, at the time of pressing, the traveling belts 11a and 11b are interposed and pressed by the upper and lower cooling plates, It is configured to allow contact freezing from the upper and lower surfaces of the workpiece 10.
[0041]
  The pressing mechanism 20a shown in FIG. 2A is provided with upper and lower stoppers 18a and 18b on the upper cooling plate 12b and the lower cooling plate 12a that are movably provided up and down via an upright guide 19 on the upper and lower sides of the frame 15. The gap S2 is set.
  The gap S2 is a value obtained by adding the thickness of the traveling belts 11a and 11b to the desired shaping thickness dimension S1 of the workpiece 10.
  Air cylinders 17a and 17b are provided above and below the frame 15, stoppers are provided at the ends of the piston rods of the cylinders, and the workpieces 10 are pressed by sucking the sides of the cooling plates 12a and 12b with a constant pressure F in the direction of the arrows. It is configured.
  With the above configuration, pressing is started by starting the supply of compressed air to the air cylinder, and pressing is stopped by stopping the supply of compressed air.
[0042]
  In addition, since the volume expansion shown by the dotted line around the workpiece 10 in the figure is formed at the time of freezing, the air cylinders 17a and 17b absorb and change the pressing position under a constant pressure F.
[0043]
  The pressing mechanism 20b shown in FIG. 2B is provided with an upper cooling plate 12b movably provided on the upper side of the frame 15 via an upright guide 19 and a stopper 18b. The lower cooling plate 12a is fixed and a gap S2 for regulating the thickness of the workpiece 10 is set.
  An air cylinder 17b is provided on the upper side of the frame 15, a stopper is provided at the tip of the piston rod of the cylinder, and the work 10 is pressed by sucking the side of the cooling plate 12b with a constant pressure F in the direction of the arrow. It is.
  With the above configuration, pressing is started by starting the supply of compressed air to the air cylinder, and pressing is stopped by stopping the supply of compressed air.
[0044]
  In addition, since the volume expansion shown by the dotted line around the workpiece 10 in the figure is formed at the time of freezing, the pressure position is changed and absorbed by the air cylinder 17b under a constant pressure F.
[0045]
  The pressing mechanism 20c shown in FIG. 2C is provided with a lower cooling plate 12a movably provided on the lower side via an upright guide 19 on the lower side of the frame 15 and a stopper 18a. The upper cooling plate 12b is fixed and a gap S2 for regulating the thickness of the workpiece 10 is set.
  An air cylinder 17a is provided below the frame 15, a stopper is provided at the tip of the piston rod of the cylinder, and the workpiece 10 is pressed by sucking the side of the cooling plate 12a with a constant pressure F in the direction of the arrow. It is.
  With the above configuration, pressing is started by starting the supply of compressed air to the air cylinder, and pressing is stopped by stopping the supply of compressed air.
[0046]
  FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, for example, an aluminum film or the like in which brine having a total thickness of about 2 mm is sealed on the contact surface of the movable cooling plate configured to be movable among the upper and lower cooling plates 12a and 12b. The flat brine bag made of soft material is interposed to absorb the unevenness caused by the difference between the solids of the work to form a close contact surface, and the contact freezing with the work is efficiently performed.
  In the case of this configuration, the above-described volume expansion during freezing can be absorbed.
  (A) of the figure shows the situation where the upper and lower cooling plates are movable cooling plates and the brine bags 21a and 21b are provided above and below, and (B) shows the case where the upper cooling plate 12b is a movable cooling plate and the brine bags. FIG. 9C shows a situation where the brine bag 21a is provided when the lower cooling plate 12a is a movable cooling plate.
  In the case of using the above-mentioned flat brine bag, damage to the brine bag is smaller in the intermittent traveling type in which the press freezing shaping is performed while the operation of the conveyor is stopped, compared to the case of the continuous traveling type described later.
[0047]
  FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a work in the case of a continuous traveling type of the press freezing and shaping apparatus of FIG.
  As you can see in the figure
  In step 35 “Start conveyor conveyor”
  The conveyor 11 is activated via the activation means 31b and put in an operating state.
  In addition, in the heat insulation tunnel 25 shown in FIG. 1, the conveyance time for the workpiece 10 to pass through the freezing region 12e, which is the laying section of the cooling plate forming the pressing portion 12, requires a certain time required for the pressure freezing shaping. In order to perform the required press freezing shaping, an appropriate conveying speed is set so as to pass through the freezing region 12e, which is the cooling plate laying section, over at least the predetermined time.
  In step 36 “Work input”,
  Continuously feed workpieces.
  In “cooling start” in step 37,
  When the input work reaches the entrance of the freezing area, which is the cooling plate laying section, the work is supplied with cold heat from the upper and lower cooling plates and press freeze shaping is started.
  In step 38, “Start work freezing and expansion”
  The workpiece that has been supplied with cold heat enters a frozen state after a while, and starts freezing and expansion.
  In step 39 "Movable cooling plate operation, pressing at constant pressure"
  The air cylinders 17a and 17b provided in the pressing mechanism 20 respond to the volume expansion with a constant pressure.
  In step 40 “Freeze shaping complete”
  Press freeze shaping is completed after a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of cooling. The predetermined time is about 3.5 minutes. At that time, the work reaches the exit of the freezing region 12e, which is the cooling plate laying section.
  In step 41, “Work removal”
  Efficient processing can be performed by continuously taking out the frozen and shaped workpiece.
[0048]
  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a case of an intermittent traveling type of the press freezing and shaping apparatus of FIG. 1, (A) is a control block diagram, and (B) is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the control system shown in (A). is there.
  As shown in (A) of the figure,
  When the press freeze shaping apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is used intermittently, the operation stop means and start means provided in the conveyor 11 and the press start means and press stop means provided in the press mechanism 20 are provided. A control system is configured by the control unit 30 that controls and takes out the work that has been carried in by performing the required press freeze shaping.
  As shown in FIG. 5 (A), the control system is configured such that a control command from the control unit 30 includes a transmission system to the conveyor 11 via the operation stopping means 31a and the starting means 31b, and the like. It consists of a transmission system to the movable cooling plates 12a and 12b via the one pressing start means 32a and the pressing stop means 32b and further via the pressing mechanism 20.
[0049]
  FIG. 4B is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the control system shown in FIG. The operation procedure at the time of pressing and freezing the workpiece will be described below with reference to the flow chart.
  That is,
  In step 35a, “Conveyor start”,
  A work amount having a mounting length corresponding to the length of the freezing region 12e, which is the cooling plate laying section of the press freezing and shaping apparatus of FIG. 1, is prepared in advance and placed on the conveyor, and then activated via the activation means 31b. Let it run.
  At the start-up, the supply of compressed air to the air cylinders 17a and 17b of the pressing mechanism 20 is stopped via the pressing stop means 32b, the cooling plate is shifted to the pressing stop state, and the light load operation is performed.
  In step 36a, “Loading workpiece”
  The conveyance to the freezing area | region which is a cooling-plate installation area of the workpiece | work set above is complete | finished.
In step 37a "Transfer conveyor operation stop"
  The operation of the conveyor 11 is stopped via the operation stop means 31a in a state where the work has been transferred into the freezing region.
  In “pressing start” in step 38a,
  After the conveyor 11 is stopped, compressed air is supplied to the air cylinders 17a and 17b of the pressing mechanism 20 via the pressing start means 32a to be operated, and pressing is started under a constant pressure. To start.
  In “end of press freezing and shaping” in step 39a,
  The press freeze shaping is finished after a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of pressing.
  In “press stop” of step 40a,
  After the fixed time has elapsed, the supply of compressed air to the air cylinders 17a, 17b is stopped via the pressing stop means 32b, and the cooling plate is brought into a pressing stop state.
  In step 41a, “Conveyor start”,
  The conveyor 11 is activated via the activation means 31b, and the work for which press freezing shaping has been completed is carried out by light load operation.
  Thus, the press freeze shaping is completed.
[0050]
  In addition, when using the intermittent freezing type press freezing shaping method, the pressure freezing shaping is performed during the stop period of the transfer conveyor, and the work is carried into and out of the freezing area 12e which is a cooling laying section. Since the operation is performed through the stop of pressing of the cooling plate during the operation of the conveyor, it is possible to perform a light load operation and prevent damage to the cooling plate due to friction of the running belt.
[0051]
  Regardless of which of the above-mentioned continuous / intermittent methods is used, freeze shaping with a preset product thickness for the input workpiece is achieved by using a cooling plate that presses in parallel from the upper and lower surfaces of the workpiece and using a brine bag. Goods can be obtained, and packing efficiency can be improved.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
  With the above configuration, the present invention obtains a frozen shaped article of the same standard by using a cooling plate in press freezing shaping of a flexible bag product containing a large amount of water, and absorbs unevenness due to a solid difference for each workpiece by using a brine bag. Thus, it is possible to obtain a flexible frozen bag product that enables complete contact freezing, absorbs volume expansion during freezing, and is shaped into an optimal shape for packaging.
  In addition, the frozen product of the same standard has a flat shape on both the front and back, which can improve the value of the product and can increase the volume ratio at the time of packaging. It is possible to contribute to drastically reducing transportation costs.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration showing an embodiment of a press freezing and shaping apparatus for a flexible bag product of the present invention.
2 is an AA view showing a schematic configuration of the pressing mechanism of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2 (A) is a cutaway view with one side broken to show a case where upper and lower cooling plates are movable cooling plates, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a cutaway view showing a case where the upper cooling plate is a movable cooling plate, and is a cutaway view showing a case where the lower cooling plate is a movable cooling plate. FIG.
3 is a diagram showing another embodiment of FIG. 1, in which (A) is a schematic diagram showing a case where the upper and lower cooling plates are movable cooling plates, and (B) is a case where the upper cooling plate is a movable cooling plate. (C) is the outline which shows the case where a lower cooling plate is used as a movable cooling plate.
4 is a flow diagram of a work in the case of a continuous traveling type of the press freezing and shaping apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG.
5 is a diagram showing a case of an intermittent traveling type of the press freezing and shaping apparatus of FIG. 1, (A) is a control block diagram, and (B) is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the control system shown in (A). is there.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional continuous freezing apparatus that performs contact cooling.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another embodiment of a conventional continuous freezing apparatus that performs contact cooling.
[Explanation of symbols]
  10 work
  11 Conveyor
  11a, 11b Running belt
  12 Pressing part
  12e Freezing area
  12a, 12b Cooling plate
  15 frames
  17a, 17b Air cylinder
  18a, 18b stopper
  19 Guide
  20 Pressing mechanism
  21a, 21b brine bag
  25 Insulated tunnel
  30 Control unit
  31a Operation stop means
  31b Starting means
  32a Press start means
  32b Press stop means

Claims

In the method of freezing and shaping a workpiece comprising a flexible bag product filled with a flexible product,
Between a pair of upper and lower cooling plates facing each other, a pair of traveling belts that continuously run in the same direction and sandwich and convey the workpiece are interposed, and press freezing and shaping for a certain period of time by the cooling plates to enable continuous removal of the workpiece. With
The method of pressing and freezing a flexible bag product, wherein the cooling plate has a flat brine filling bag for contact with a contact surface with the running belt.

In the method of freezing and shaping a workpiece comprising a flexible bag product filled with a flexible product,
Between a pair of upper and lower opposing cooling plates, a pair of traveling belts that intermittently travel in the same direction and pinch and convey the workpiece are interposed, and when the traveling belt is stopped, press freezing shaping with the cooling plate is performed, and after the press freezing shaping is completed While running the running belt, enabling intermittent removal of the workpiece,
The method of pressing and freezing a flexible bag product, wherein the cooling plate has a flat brine filling bag for contact with a contact surface with the running belt.

In the method of freezing and shaping a workpiece comprising a flexible bag product filled with a flexible product,
Between a pair of upper and lower opposing cooling plates using a flat tank, a pair of traveling belts consisting of an upper traveling belt and a lower traveling belt that continuously travel in the same direction and sandwich and convey a workpiece are interposed, and the cooling plate A flexible bag product is characterized in that, after starting press freezing shaping of a workpiece, at least one of the upper cooling plate and the lower cooling plate is moved at a constant pressure with respect to freezing and expansion of the workpiece to complete freezing shaping. Press freeze shaping method.

In the method of freezing and shaping a workpiece comprising a flexible bag product filled with a flexible product,
Between a pair of upper and lower opposing cooling plates using a flat tank, a pair of traveling belts consisting of an upper traveling belt and a lower traveling belt that are intermittently traveling in the same direction and sandwiching and conveying the workpiece are interposed, and the traveling belt is stopped. Sometimes pressing the workpieces by the upper and lower cooling plates via the pair of running belts to press freeze shaping of the workpieces by the cooling plates, stopping the pressing of the cooling plates after the completion of the pressing freeze shaping, A method for press freezing and shaping a flexible bag product, wherein the running belt is re-run by light load operation and the work subjected to press freezing and shaping is carried out.

In the method of freezing and shaping a workpiece comprising a flexible bag product filled with a flexible product,
Between the upper and lower opposing cooling plates, a pair of traveling belts consisting of an upper traveling belt and a lower traveling belt that continuously travel in the same direction and sandwich and convey the workpiece are interposed, and press freezing shaping of the workpiece by the cooling plate is started. Thereafter, freeze shaping is completed while causing at least one of the upper cooling plate and the lower cooling plate to respond to freezing and expansion of the workpiece at a constant pressure, and the cooling plate is placed on the contact surface with the running belt. A press freezing and shaping method for a flexible bag product, characterized in that a flat brine filling bag for adhesion is interposed .

In the method of freezing and shaping a workpiece comprising a flexible bag product filled with a flexible product,
A pair of traveling belts consisting of an upper traveling belt and a lower traveling belt that intermittently travel in the same direction and sandwich and convey a workpiece are interposed between upper and lower opposing cooling plates, and the pair of traveling belts are stopped when the traveling belt is stopped. The workpiece is pressed and frozen by the upper and lower cooling plates, and the workpiece is pressed and frozen by the cooling plate. After the pressing and freezing shaping is finished, the pressing of the cooling plate is stopped and the traveling belt is operated at a light load. The flexible bag product is characterized in that the cold- frozen work is carried out by carrying out the re-running of the cooling plate, and the cooling plate interposes a flat brine filling bag for contact with a contact surface with the running belt. Press freezing shaping method.

In a work freezing and shaping device consisting of a flexible bag product filled with a flexible product,
In the longitudinal direction of the tunnel-type cooling chamber, a continuous feed conveyor having an upper belt and a lower belt that run in the same direction to sandwich and carry a workpiece,
An upper cooling plate and a lower cooling plate provided at a back side position of the upper belt and a back side position of the lower belt that form a gap obtained by adding the thicknesses of the upper belt and the lower belt to the press shaping dimension of the workpiece; ,
The upper cooling plate and the lower cooling plate are both movable cooling plates, and a pressing mechanism for applying a freezing heat to the workpiece by pressing the workpiece with a constant pressing force against a change in workpiece size exceeding a predetermined pressing size, and pressing for a predetermined time A press-freezing and shaping device for a flexible bag product of continuous running type, characterized in that it comprises a conveying time of a freezing region that is a cooling plate laying section that has a freezing shaping time.

In the intermittent running type freezing and shaping device for workpieces consisting of flexible bag products filled with flexible products,
In the longitudinal direction of the tunnel-type cooling chamber, an intermittently fed conveyor having an upper belt and a lower belt that run in the same direction to sandwich and carry a workpiece,
An upper cooling plate and a lower cooling plate provided at a back side position of the upper belt and a back side position of the lower belt that form a gap obtained by adding the thicknesses of the upper belt and the lower belt to the press shaping dimension of the workpiece; ,
While providing both of the upper cooling plate and the lower cooling plate as a movable cooling plate with a constant pressing force to the variation of the workpiece size above a predetermined pressing size, and a pressing mechanism for applying the cold heat for freezing to the workpiece,
An activation means for carrying in the work to the laying section of the cooling plate and carrying out the frozen shaping finished product to the outside, and an operation stop period for performing pressure freezing shaping for a certain time with respect to the work carried into the laying section are formed. An operation stop means is provided on the conveyor,
A pressing start means and a pressing stop means are provided in the pressing mechanism,
A control unit that interlocks the press start unit with the operation stop unit and interlocks the press stop unit with the start unit;
A press freezing and shaping apparatus for an intermittently running flexible bag product characterized by the above.

The apparatus for pressing and freezing a flexible bag product according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the movable cooling plate is set via a pneumatic cylinder.

The apparatus for pressing and freezing a flexible bag product according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the cooling plate comprises a flat tank.

9. The press freezing and shaping apparatus for a flexible bag product according to claim 7, wherein the pressing mechanism fixes an upper cooling plate and uses a lower cooling plate as a movable cooling plate.

9. The apparatus for pressing and freezing a flexible bag product according to claim 7, wherein the movable cooling plate is configured to form a flexible contact surface filled with cold brine on a contact surface of the running belt.