JP7396107B2 - Food packaging equipment and refrigerators - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to food packaging devices and refrigerators.

Conventionally, it has been known to cover and seal the upper surface of a fruit and vegetable storage compartment (vegetable compartment) with a freshness-preserving film (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-241838

However, in the technique shown in Patent Document 1, since the entire food storage area is sealed, moisture released from the vegetables in the storage area causes condensation, and other foods in the storage area are likely to spoil. Furthermore, if vegetables containing a lot of ethylene gas, which accelerates the aging of vegetables, are stored together, the storage chamber will be filled with ethylene gas, which will accelerate the aging of the vegetables. On the other hand, it is time-consuming and complicated to wrap individual foods with food wrap film or the like before putting them into the storage section.

The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems. The purpose of this is to create a food packaging device and refrigerator that can easily individually wrap food when it is put into a storage compartment and suppress the negative effects of ethylene gas, moisture, etc. released from the food on other foods in the storage compartment. It is about providing.

The food packaging device according to the present disclosure includes a box-shaped inner storage section with an open top surface, an outer storage section that stores the inner storage section so as to be able to be pulled out along the front-rear direction, and a packaging material deploying means for deploying a membrane-like packaging material to cover at least a portion of the upper surface in response to a pulling operation of the storage section; and packaging material cutting means for cutting the packaging material developed by the packaging material development means.

Further, the refrigerator according to the present disclosure includes the food packaging device configured as described above.

According to the food packaging device and refrigerator according to the present disclosure, when food is put into a storage section, the food can be easily individually wrapped, and other foods in the storage section are adversely affected by ethylene gas, moisture, etc. released from the food. This has the effect of suppressing the

1 is a front view of a refrigerator equipped with a food packaging device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a refrigerator equipped with a food packaging device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a vegetable compartment provided with a food packaging device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a packaging material storage section and an arm of the food packaging device according to Embodiment 1. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of main parts of a packaging material storage section, an arm, and an inner storage section of the food packaging device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a packaging material is gripped by an arm of the food packaging device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a top view schematically showing a state in which the inner storage part of the food packaging device according to the first embodiment is pulled out without unfolding the packaging material. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the packaging material of the food packaging device according to the first embodiment is unfolded. FIG. 2 is a top view schematically showing a state in which the packaging material of the food packaging device according to Embodiment 1 is unfolded. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which food is placed on the packaging material of the food packaging device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which food is placed on the packaging material of the food packaging device according to the first embodiment and the inner storage section is pushed in; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a main part of the food packaging device according to Embodiment 1 in a state where food is wrapped with a packaging material. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a main part of the food packaging device according to the first embodiment when cutting a packaging material wrapped around food. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a main part of the food packaging device according to the first embodiment in a state where food packaging is completed using the packaging material. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which food packaging is completed using the packaging material of the food packaging device according to the first embodiment.

Embodiments of a food packaging device and a refrigerator according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals, and overlapping explanations will be simplified or omitted as appropriate. In the following description, for convenience, the positional relationship of each structure may be expressed based on the illustrated state. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and any combination of embodiments, modification of any component of each embodiment, or modification of each embodiment may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Any component of the embodiment can be omitted.

Embodiment 1.
Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15. FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator equipped with a food packaging device. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a refrigerator equipped with a food packaging device. FIG. 3 is a sectional view schematically showing the structure of a vegetable compartment provided with a food packaging device. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the packaging material storage section and arm of the food packaging device. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the main parts of the packaging material storage section, the arm, and the inner storage section of the food packaging device. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a packaging material is gripped by an arm of the food packaging device. FIG. 7 is a top view schematically showing a state in which the inner storage section of the food packaging device is pulled out without unfolding the packaging material. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the unfolded state of the packaging material of the food packaging device. FIG. 9 is a top view schematically showing a state in which the packaging material of the food packaging device is unfolded. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which food is placed on the packaging material of the food packaging device. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which food is placed on the packaging material of the food packaging device and the inner storage section is pushed in. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the main part of the food packaging device in a state where the food is wrapped with the packaging material. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the main parts of the food packaging device when cutting the packaging material wrapping the food. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the main parts of the food packaging device in a state where food packaging is completed using the packaging material. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which food packaging is completed using the packaging material of the food packaging device.

Note that in each figure, the dimensional relationship, shape, etc. of each component may differ from the actual one. In addition, the positional relationship (for example, vertical relationship, etc.) between the constituent members is, in principle, the one when the refrigerator or food packaging device is installed in a usable state.

The refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment has a heat insulating box 60 as shown in FIG. The heat insulating box 60 has an open front (front) and a storage space is formed inside. The heat insulating box 60 includes an outer box, an inner box, and a heat insulating material. The outer box is made of steel. The inner box is made of resin. The inner box is placed inside the outer box. The heat insulating material is, for example, urethane foam, and is filled in the space between the outer box and the inner box. The storage space formed inside the heat insulating box 60 is divided into a plurality of storage chambers for storing and preserving food by one or more partition members.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, here, the refrigerator 1 includes, for example, a refrigerator compartment 10, a switching compartment 20, an ice making compartment 30, a vegetable compartment 40, and a freezing compartment 50 as a plurality of storage compartments. These storage chambers are arranged in four stages in the vertical direction in the heat insulating box 60.

The refrigerator compartment 10 is arranged at the top of the heat insulating box 60. The switching chamber 20 is arranged below the refrigerator compartment 10 on one side of the left and right sides. The cold storage temperature range of the switching room 20 can be switched by selecting one of a plurality of temperature ranges. The plurality of temperature zones that can be selected as the cold storage temperature zone of the switching chamber 20 are, for example, a freezing temperature zone (for example, about -18 degrees Celsius), a refrigerating temperature zone (for example, about 3 degrees Celsius), a chilled temperature zone (for example, about 0 degrees Celsius), and This is a soft freezing temperature range (for example, around -7°C). The ice making compartment 30 is disposed adjacent to the side of the switching compartment 20 and in parallel with the switching compartment 20, that is, on the other left and right sides below the refrigerator compartment 10.

The vegetable compartment 40 is arranged below the switching compartment 20 and the ice making compartment 30. The vegetable compartment 40 is mainly for storing vegetables and the like. The freezer compartment 50 is arranged at the lowest level below the vegetable compartment 40. The freezer compartment 50 is mainly used for freezing and preserving objects for a relatively long period of time.

An opening formed on the front surface of the refrigerator compartment 10 is provided with a rotary refrigerator compartment door 7 that opens and closes the opening. Here, the refrigerator compartment door 7 is a double door type (double door type), and is composed of a right door 7a and a left door 7b. An operation panel 6 is provided on the outer surface of the refrigerator compartment door 7 (for example, the left door 7b) on the front side of the refrigerator 1. The operation panel 6 includes an operation section 6a and a display section 6b. The operation unit 6a is an operation switch for setting the cold storage temperature of each storage compartment and the operation mode (defrosting mode, etc.) of the refrigerator 1. The display section 6b is a liquid crystal display that displays various information such as the temperature of each storage chamber. Further, the operation panel 6 may include a touch panel that serves as the operation section 6a and the display section 6b.

Each of the storage compartments other than the refrigerator compartment 10 (switching compartment 20, ice making compartment 30, vegetable compartment 40, and freezing compartment 50) is opened and closed by a pull-out door. These pull-out doors can be opened in the depth direction (back and forth direction) of the refrigerator 1 by sliding a frame fixed to the door against rails formed horizontally on the left and right inner walls of each storage compartment. It can be opened and closed.

Further, inside the switching chamber 20 and inside the freezing chamber 50, a switching chamber storage case 21 and a freezing chamber storage case 51, each of which can store food and the like, are stored in a freely drawable manner. Similarly, in the vegetable compartment 40, a vegetable compartment storage case 42, which can store food and the like therein, is stored so as to be freely drawn out. The vegetable compartment storage case 42 is integrated with a pull-out vegetable compartment door 41. Therefore, the vegetable compartment storage case 42 is moved in and out of the vegetable compartment 40 in conjunction with opening and closing of the vegetable compartment door 41.

The refrigerator 1 includes a refrigeration cycle circuit that cools air supplied to each storage compartment. The refrigeration cycle circuit includes a compressor 2, a condenser (not shown), a throttle device (not shown), a cooler 3, and the like. The compressor 2 compresses and discharges refrigerant within the refrigeration cycle circuit. The condenser condenses the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2. The throttling device expands the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser. The cooler 3 cools the air supplied to each storage chamber using the refrigerant expanded by the expansion device. The compressor 2 is arranged, for example, at the lower part of the back side of the refrigerator 1.

The refrigerator 1 is formed with an air passage 5 for supplying air cooled by a refrigeration cycle circuit to each storage compartment. This air passage 5 is mainly arranged on the back side inside the refrigerator 1. The cooler 3 of the refrigeration cycle circuit is installed within this air path 5. Further, a blower fan 4 is also installed in the air passage 5 to send air cooled by the cooler 3 to each storage room.

When the blower fan 4 operates, the air (cold air) cooled by the cooler 3 is sent through the air path 5 to the freezer compartment 50, the switching compartment 20, the ice making compartment 30, and the refrigerator compartment 10. Cooling. The vegetable compartment 40 is cooled by introducing the return cold air from the refrigerator compartment 10 into the vegetable compartment 40 via the refrigerator compartment return air path. The cold air that has cooled the vegetable compartment 40 is returned through the vegetable compartment return air passage into the air passage 5 where the cooler 3 is located (these return air passages are not shown). The cold air is then cooled again by the cooler 3 and circulated within the refrigerator 1.

A damper (not shown) is provided at a midway point leading from the air path 5 to each storage room. Each damper opens and closes a portion of the air path 5 that leads to each storage chamber. By changing the opening/closing state of the damper, the amount of cold air supplied to each storage compartment can be adjusted. Further, the temperature of the cold air can be adjusted by controlling the operation of the compressor 2.

The refrigeration cycle circuit including the compressor 2 and the cooler 3, the blower fan 4, the air passage 5, and the damper provided as described above constitute a cooling means for cooling the inside of the storage room.

A control device 8 is housed, for example, in the upper part of the back side of the refrigerator 1. The control device 8 is equipped with a control circuit and the like for implementing various controls necessary for the operation of the refrigerator 1. The control circuit included in the control device 8 includes, for example, a circuit for controlling the operation of the compressor 2 and the blower fan 4 and the opening degree of the damper based on the temperature in each storage chamber and information input to the operation panel 6. Can be mentioned. That is, the control device 8 controls the operation of the refrigerator 1 by controlling the aforementioned cooling means and the like. Note that the temperature inside each storage chamber can be detected by a thermistor (not shown) or the like installed in each storage chamber.

In the configuration example described here, as shown in FIG. 2, the food packaging device 100 according to this embodiment is provided in the vegetable compartment 40 of the refrigerator 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the food packaging device 100 includes an inner storage section 101 and an outer storage section 102. In the configuration example described here, the vegetable compartment door 41 of the vegetable compartment 40 and the vegetable compartment storage case 42 are integrated to constitute the inner storage section 101 of the food packaging device 100. The inner storage section 101 has a box shape with an open top surface.

Furthermore, in the configuration example described here, the portion of the heat insulating box 60 that partitions the vegetable compartment 40 constitutes the outer storage section 102 of the food packaging device 100. The outer storage section 102 accommodates the inner storage section 101 so that it can be pulled out along the front-rear direction. When the inner storage part 101 is housed inside the outer storage part 102, the opening formed in the upper surface of the inner storage part 101 is closed by the upper surface of the outer storage part 102.

A handle 140 is provided on the front side of the inner storage section 101. The user can easily pull out the inner storage section 101 from the outer storage section 102 by holding the handle 140 and pulling it toward the user.

The food packaging device 100 further includes a packaging material storage section 110, an arm 120, and a packaging material support section 130. The packaging material storage section 110, the arm 120, and the packaging material support section 130 of the food packaging device 100 are provided in the upper part of the vegetable compartment 40. The packaging material storage section 110 is provided in one of the inner storage section 101 and the outer storage section 102. The arm 120 is provided on the other of the inner storage section 101 and the outer storage section 102. In the configuration example described here, a packaging material storage section 110 is provided in the outer storage section 102, and an arm 120 is provided in the inner storage section 101.

As shown in FIG. 4, the packaging material storage section 110 accommodates the packaging material 200 therein. The packaging material 200 is a food wrap film in the form of a thin film or sheet. Examples of the material for the packaging material 200 include polyvinylidene chloride resin, polyethylene resin, and polyvinyl chloride resin.

The packaging material storage section 110 is a hollow cylindrical member. A packaging material outlet 112 is formed in the packaging material storage section 110 along the axial direction of the cylindrical shape. In the portion of the packaging material storage section 110 where the packaging material outlet 112 is formed, the cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical shape is C-shaped. A roll-shaped packaging material 200 wound around a core 111 is stored inside the packaging material storage section 110. The packaging material storage unit 110 configured as described above is an example of a packaging material storage unit that stores the rolled packaging material 200.

The outermost end of the packaging material 200 wound around the core 111 in the packaging material storage section 110 can be pulled out of the packaging material storage section 110 from the packaging material outlet 112. Then, by further pulling the end of the packaging material 200, the core 111 rotates within the packaging material storage section 110, and the packaging material 200 is continuously pulled out of the packaging material storage section 110.

A cutter 113 is fixed to the lower edge of the packaging material outlet 112. The packaging material storage section 110 is provided so as to be rotatable in both directions about the aforementioned cylindrical shaft. When the packaging material 200 is pulled out from the packaging material outlet 112, the rotational position of the packaging material storage section 110 is set so that the cutter 113 does not hit the packaging material 200. Then, with the packaging material 200 being pulled out from the packaging material outlet 112, the packaging material storage section 110 is rotated and the cutter 113 is pressed against the packaging material 200, thereby removing the roll-shaped material in the packaging material storage section 110. The packaging material 200 outside the packaging material storage section 110 can be separated from the packaging material 200.

The tip of the arm 120 can grip the outermost end of the packaging material 200 . As shown in FIG. 5, the handle 140 of the inner storage portion 101 is provided with an arm operation switch 141. As shown in FIG. The arm operation switch 141 is arranged, for example, at a position facing the front surface of the inner storage section 101 in the handle 140. When the user grips the handle 140 to pull out the inner storage part 101 from the outer storage part 102, the arm operation switch 141 is pressed by the user's fingers gripping the handle 140.

The gripping operation of the arm 120 is linked to the operation of the arm operation switch 141. That is, when the arm operation switch 141 is not pressed, the tip of the arm 120 is open. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, when the arm operation switch 141 is pressed, the tip of the arm 120 closes and the end of the packaging material 200 is gripped.

In the food packaging apparatus 100 configured as described above, when the inner storage section 101 is pulled out from the outer storage section 102 without pressing the arm operation switch 141 from the state shown in FIG. 3, the packaging material is removed as shown in FIG. The packaging material 200 is not pulled out from the storage section 110. In this state, food and the like can be easily put into the inner storage section 101, and also food and the like can be easily taken out from the inner storage section 101.

On the other hand, when the arm operation switch 141 is pressed in the state shown in FIG. 3, the tip of the arm 120 closes and the end of the packaging material 200 is gripped, as shown in FIG. In this state, when the inner storage section 101 is pulled out from the outer storage section 102 while pressing the arm operation switch 141, the packaging material 200 is pulled out from the packaging material storage section 110 by the arm 120 in accordance with the pulling operation. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the packaging material 200 is unfolded and stretched so as to cover the opening on the upper surface of the inner storage section 101.

Here, packaging material support portions 130 are provided on the inner surfaces of both left and right side walls of the inner storage portion 101. The packaging material support portion 130 is provided on the side wall portion of the inner storage portion 101 from front to back. The packaging material support section 130 is arranged so as to be able to abut from below both left and right end portions of the packaging material 200 developed on the upper surface of the inner storage section 101. The packaging material 200 developed on the upper surface of the inner storage section 101 is held by the packaging material storage section 110, the arm 120, and the packaging material support section 130 in a state parallel to the opening surface of the upper surface of the inner storage section 101.

The packaging material storage section 110, the arm 120, and the packaging material support section 130 as described above cover the upper surface of the inner storage section 101 in response to the pulling operation of the inner storage section 101 from the outer storage section 102. It constitutes a packaging material spreading means that spreads the packaging material 200 parallel to the opening surface of the upper surface of the section 101. Further, the arm 120 is a packaging material pulling means that grips one end of the packaging material 200 and pulls it out from the packaging material storage section 110 in response to the pulling operation of the inner storage section 101 from the outer storage section 102 . Note that the packaging material 200 spread out on the upper surface of the inner storage section 101 only needs to cover at least a portion of the upper surface of the inner storage section 101 rather than the entire upper surface.

When food to be packaged is placed on the packaging material 200 spread out on the upper surface of the inner storage section 101, both left and right end portions of the packaging material 200 come off from the packaging material support section 130 due to the weight of the food, causing the packaging material 200 to fall off. The part on which food is placed lowers. Then, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the packaging material 200 is further pulled out from the packaging material storage section 110, the packaging material 200 becomes slack, and the portion of the packaging material 200 on which the food is placed further lowers. When the inner storage part 101 is pushed into the outer storage part 102 from this state, the packaging material 200 further loosens and the part of the packaging material 200 on which the food is placed further lowers, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The material 200 is folded back and forth around the portion on which the food is placed.

In the food packaging apparatus 100 of this embodiment, when the inner storage section 101 is pushed into the outer storage section 102 and closed, the packaging material storage section 110 moves in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 13 in conjunction with this closing movement. It is configured to rotate. As the packaging material storage section 110 rotates, the cutter 113 is pressed against the packaging material 200, and the packaging material 200 is cut off. The cutter 113 is a packaging material cutting device that cuts the packaging material 200 developed by the above-mentioned packaging material development device in response to the pushing operation of the inner storage section 101 into the outer storage section 102 .

When the inner storage part 101 is further pushed into the outer storage part 102 from the state shown in FIG. 13 and is completely closed, the packaging material storage part 110 is moved in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. Rotate. This rotation of the packaging material storage unit 110 pushes down the cut end of the packaging material 200 at the upper edge of the packaging material outlet 112 and positions the end of the packaging material 200 so that it can be easily gripped by the arm 120 next. Match.

After the inner storage part 101 is completely stored in the outer storage part 102, the user releases the handle 140. Then, the arm operation switch 141 becomes unpressed, the tip of the arm 120 opens, and the gripped end of the packaging material 200 is released. Then, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the food is stored in the inner storage section 101, that is, the vegetable compartment storage case 42 of the vegetable compartment 40, after the packaging of the food using the packaging material 200 is completed.

In the food packaging device 100 configured as described above and the refrigerator 1 equipped with the same, if the vegetable compartment door 41 is opened while pressing the arm operation switch 141 of the handle 140, the vegetable compartment storage case 42 (inner storage section 101 ) A packaging material 200 is placed on the upper surface of the container. Then, when food such as vegetables is placed on top of the packaging material 200 and the vegetable compartment door 41 is closed, the loaded food is stored in the vegetable compartment 40 while being wrapped with the packaging material 200.

Therefore, when the food is put into the storage section, the food can be easily individually wrapped, and the adverse effects of ethylene gas, moisture, etc. released from the food on other foods in the storage section can be suppressed. Furthermore, when the vegetable compartment door 41 is opened, at least a portion of the upper surface of the vegetable compartment storage case 42 (inner storage section 101) is covered by the packaging material 200, so that cold air in the vegetable compartment 40 becomes difficult to escape. Therefore, it is possible to suppress temperature changes in the vegetable compartment 40 when the vegetable compartment 40 is opened and closed, and to easily maintain the temperature in the vegetable compartment 40.

Furthermore, when opening and closing the vegetable compartment door 41, the packaging material 200 is unfolded depending on whether the arm operation switch 141 is pressed or not, and when food is put into the vegetable compartment 40, the food is wrapped in the packaging material 200. It is possible to easily switch between whether to do this or to simply take the food in and out of the vegetable compartment 40 without unfolding the packaging material 200.

Note that the material used for the packaging material 200 is preferably elastic. By using a stretchable material for the packaging material 200, the packaging material 200 deforms according to the external shape of the food, etc., making it easier to wrap the food with the packaging material 200. Further, the elastic packaging material 200 can reduce the impact when the packaged food hits the bottom of the inner storage section 101.

1 Refrigerator 2 Compressor 3 Cooler 4 Blow fan 5 Air path 6 Operation panel 7 Refrigerator door 7a Right door 7b Left door 8 Control device 10 Refrigerator 20 Switching compartment 21 Switching compartment storage case 30 Ice making compartment 40 Vegetable compartment 41 Vegetable compartment Door 42 Vegetable compartment storage case 50 Freezer compartment 51 Freezer compartment storage case 60 Insulated box 100 Food packaging device 101 Inner storage section 102 Outer storage section 110 Packaging material storage section 111 Core 112 Packaging material outlet 113 Cutter 120 Arm 130 Packaging material support Part 140 Handle 141 Arm operation switch 200 Packaging material

Claims (4)

A box-shaped inner storage section with an open top,
an outer storage section that accommodates the inner storage section so that it can be pulled out along the front-rear direction;
packaging material deploying means for deploying a film-like packaging material so as to cover at least a portion of the upper surface in response to a pulling operation of the inner storage section from the outer storage section;
A food packaging device comprising: a packaging material cutting device that cuts the packaging material expanded by the packaging material expansion device in response to a pushing operation of the inner storage portion into the outer storage portion. The packaging material developing means includes:
a packaging material accommodating means provided in one of the inner storage part and the outer storage part and accommodating the roll-shaped packaging material;
2. The food packaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a packaging material pull-out means provided on the other of the two, which grips one end of the packaging material and pulls it out from the packaging material storage means in response to the pull-out operation. 3. The food packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the packaging material is made of a stretchable material. A refrigerator comprising the food packaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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