JPH0680120A - Packing device for long-preservable daily dish and its container - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provided a packing device and a container by which daily dishes can be preserved for a long time. CONSTITUTION:Daily dishes are forced to pass through a gas chamber filled with an innert gas while transferring by a conveyor. A sealing valve is equipped on the daily dish container and a gas-charging pipe is inserted in the sealing valve to charge the gas. The gas can be charged one by one. Moreover, the gas can be independently charged by providing a self-sealing material on the film of container to insert a gas-charging needle thereon. If an ethylene adsorbing means is equipped in the container, it prevents fresh foods from aging. And if perishable foods are contained in a container bag provided with the ethylene adsorbing means and placed in the daily dish container, the freshness is kept unchangeable.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a side dish packaging device and a side dish container which can be stored for a long period of time. More specifically, it not only prevents the side dish from spoiling, but also does not deteriorate the freshness, flavor and aroma of the side dish. The present invention relates to a packaging device and a prepared food container capable of producing a large quantity of prepared foods that can be stored for a long period of time.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are many occasions to eat prepared foods including vegetables and fruits at destinations, recreation areas, workplaces, etc. However, such prepared foods, for example, have a risk of food poisoning in the summer, and therefore, for example, after production, It had to be served within a certain time, such as within 6 hours. Therefore, from the standpoint of the side of producing prepared foods, this means that the prepared foods must be manufactured within a certain time by calculating backward from the eating time, which results in a rise in the cost of preparing prepared foods and mass production of prepared foods. Was hindering Also, from the standpoint of eating side dishes, side dishes that have passed the time after production are fresh,
There was also a problem that the flavor and taste deteriorated.

Among the prepared foods, vegetables and fruits are foods which are desired to be kept fresh, and these vegetables and fruits generate ethylene gas. Therefore, there is a problem that after a long time of a prepared dish with vegetables, fruits, etc., the generated ethylene gas accelerates aging and deteriorates freshness, flavor, taste and the like.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a prepared food packaging device and a prepared food container that can preserve prepared foods including vegetables and fruits for a long period of time.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present inventor first, under the above-mentioned request, as a result of earnestly researching so that the prepared food can be stored for a certain period of time, as a result, the prepared food container sealed with a film was filled with an inert gas. By storing the prepared food in an inert gas atmosphere at a predetermined temperature, it is possible to suppress the oxidization and respiration of the prepared food, and also to suppress the evaporation of the moisture of the prepared food, and as a result, to prevent the decay of the prepared food. Not only that, they have found a way to preserve prepared foods for a long time without degrading the freshness, flavor and aroma of the prepared foods.

[0006] As a concrete first method, a side dish container on which side dishes are placed is conveyed by a conveyor, and air is sucked through the spare chamber filled with an inert gas, and then the inert gas is passed. Is a method of sealing a prepared food container with a film in a sealing chamber at a predetermined temperature filled with.

The second method is to fill the prepared food container with an inert gas in the above-mentioned spare chamber and then bring the prepared food container to a temperature of -1 ° C. or lower in a seal cooling chamber filled with the inert gas. This is a method of sealing the prepared food container with a film while cooling.

A third method is to set the cooling temperature in the seal cooling chamber to -8 ° C or lower. By storing the prepared food thus prepared at a temperature of 5 ° C. or lower, the prepared food can be stored for a long time without deteriorating the freshness of the prepared food.

The following is an invention of such a side dish packaging device that can be stored for a long period of time, and a side dish container suitable for this. The long-term storable prepared food packaging device according to the present invention includes a vacuum forming mechanism for vacuum forming a sheet to produce a prepared food container, a cleaning / sterilizing mechanism for cleaning and sterilizing the formed prepared food container, and this cleaning and sterilization. A serving mechanism for serving side dishes in the prepared side dish container,
A sealing mechanism that seals to cover the upper surface of the prepared food container on which the prepared food is served, and degasses air from the internal space of the sealed prepared food container and fills the interior space with an inert gas. And an inert gas filling mechanism.

In this way, in the sealed side dish container,
By filling an inert gas and storing the prepared food in an inert gas atmosphere, it is possible to suppress the oxidation and respiration of the prepared food, and also to suppress the evaporation of the water of the prepared food, and as a result, the decay of the prepared food etc. Not only to prevent it, but also to produce a large amount of prepared dishes that can be stored for a long time without degrading the freshness, flavor and aroma of the prepared dish.

Further, the side dish packaging apparatus according to the present invention comprises a plurality of gas chambers, which are sequentially arranged in one direction and partitioned by an air curtain, and a large number of side dish containers in which side dishes are arranged. A conveying means for conveying and a filling means for filling the respective gas chambers with an inert gas so that the concentration of the inert gas gradually increases stepwise in the gas chamber located on the downstream side for conveying the prepared food container. The gas chamber having the highest concentration of active gas is provided with a sealing means for sealing each prepared food container.

As described above, according to the present invention, by transporting the prepared food container in the gas chamber in which the concentration of the inert gas is increased step by step, the concentration of the inert gas in the prepared food container is sequentially increased. In the gas chamber with the highest concentration of inert gas, the air in the side dish container can be completely replaced with the inert gas, and the side dish container can be filled with the inert gas. The side dish container is sealed by a sealing means. Therefore, a large number of prepared food containers can be continuously and quickly filled with the inert gas, and the inert gas is not insufficiently filled. This allows
It is possible to mass-produce side dishes that can be stored for a long time.

Further, the prepared food container according to the present invention is a prepared food container which can be filled with an inert gas into the inner space of the container which is sealed with a film and in which the prepared food is served, by using an inert gas filling pipe. When the gas filling pipe is inserted, it is possible to fill the interior space of the container with the inert gas while keeping the interior space of the container airtight, while when the inert gas filling pipe is removed, the interior of the container is filled. It is characterized by having a sealing valve that keeps the space airtight.

Since the side dish container according to the present invention has such a sealing valve, when the inert gas filling pipe is inserted into this sealing valve, gas is leaked from the space inside the side dish container. The inert gas can be filled into the side dish container without the use of the gas, and after this filling, when the inert gas filling pipe is removed from the sealing valve, the space inside the side dish container is kept airtight and gas leaks. Never. In this way, since the inert gas can be filled into the prepared food container by an extremely simple filling work, this filling work can be completed in a short time (for example, several seconds), and therefore, the prepared food that can be stored for a long period of time can be stored. Can be mass produced.

Further, in the prepared food container and film according to the present invention, when the inert gas filling needle is inserted, the inner space of the container is kept airtight so that the filling needle is filled with the inert gas. On the other hand, the film is provided with a self-sealing member that keeps the inner space of the container airtight when the needle filled with the inert gas is removed.

Further, in the prepared food container and film according to the present invention, when the inert gas filling needle is inserted, the inner space of the container is kept airtight so that the filling needle is filled with the inert gas. On the other hand, when the inert gas-filled needle is removed, a self-sealing first layer that keeps the inner space of the container airtight and a second layer composed of another resin are laminated alternately, It is characterized in that the film is formed.

In any of the above embodiments of the prepared food container and film according to the present invention, the film is formed with the self-sealing member, or the film is formed from the self-sealing first layer as described above. Therefore, when the inert gas filling needle is inserted through this self-sealing member or film, the inert gas can be filled into the prepared food container without leaking the gas from the space inside the prepared food container. On the other hand, when the inert gas filling needle is removed after this filling, the space inside the prepared dish container is kept airtight and the gas does not leak. In this way, since it is possible to fill the side dish container with an inert gas by an extremely simple filling operation, this filling operation takes a short time (for example,
It can be finished in a few seconds, and thus, it is possible to mass produce prepared foods that can be stored for a long time.

Further, the side dish container according to the present invention is a side dish container for serving a side dish, and an inert gas filling part capable of filling the interior space of the side dish container with an inert gas, and the side dish container And an adsorbing means for adsorbing ethylene gas generated from the particular prepared side dish.

In the present invention, first, the side dish container sealed with a film can be filled with an inert gas, and the side dish can be stored in an inert gas atmosphere. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the oxidation and respiratory action of the prepared food, and also to suppress the evaporation of the water of the prepared food, as a result, not only to prevent the decay of the prepared food, but also without degrading the freshness, flavor and aroma of the prepared food, The prepared food can be stored for a long time.

Moreover, in the present invention, since the adsorbing means for adsorbing ethylene gas generated from the side dish including vegetables and fruits is provided, this ethylene gas can be removed from the side dish container and the side dish including vegetables and fruits can be removed. The freshness of prepared foods can be maintained sufficiently fresh, and the present invention is excellent in the preservability of prepared foods including vegetables and fruits.

Further, the prepared food container according to the present invention is a prepared food container in which the prepared food is sealed by a film, the prepared food is served, and the inner space of the container is filled with an inert gas. The prepared food is stored in the prepared food container and is generated from the prepared food. A storage bag having an adsorbing means for adsorbing ethylene gas is arranged in the side dish container.

As described above, since the adsorbing means for adsorbing ethylene gas generated from the prepared foods including fruits and vegetables is provided, the ethylene gas can be removed from the storage bag, and the freshness of the prepared foods can be maintained sufficiently fresh. be able to. Moreover, when the fruits and vegetables are harvested, the fruits and the like can be stored in a storage bag to remove ethylene gas, and then the storage bag is placed in the side dish container.

Therefore, fruits that require freshness in particular,
Respiratory action of vegetables can be suppressed from the time of harvest, and when a side dish container, especially fruits and vegetables that require freshness, is arranged, these alterations or decay or spoilage can be effectively prevented. Can be stored for a long time. Also, of course, since the inside of the side dish container is in an inert gas atmosphere, not only does it prevent the decay of other side dishes,
It can be stored between containers without deteriorating the freshness, flavor and aroma.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A first embodiment of a side dish packaging (manufacturing) apparatus and a side dish container according to the present invention will be specifically described.

In the present invention, the term “side dish” means, in addition to side dishes such as fried foods, grilled fish and stewed foods, vegetables, fruits and the like, and also includes sandwiches and the like. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a packaging device for a long-term storable prepared food according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

First, in this embodiment, a prepared food container is manufactured by a vacuum forming mechanism (not shown). That is, a sheet or film thinly formed of a resin is set in a molding die formed in the shape of a prepared food container and evacuated to produce a large amount of prepared food container 1. For example, about 10 prepared food containers 1 are manufactured per second. Further, a plurality of vacuum-molded prepared food containers may be connected, or may be individually separated. In the case where a plurality of pieces are continuous, the prepared food containers are individually cut by an appropriate cutting means.

The prepared food container 1 thus molded is
The pallet 20 shown in FIG. 2 is loaded and conveyed by a belt conveyor. That is, the pallet 20 used in this embodiment
Has a holding portion 21 formed in a lattice shape, and the side dish container 1 is configured to be stored and held in the holding portion 21. The shape of the pallet 20 is changed according to the shape of the side dish container 1, and the material of the pallet 20 is preferably resin from the viewpoint of lightweight.

Next, the prepared food container 1 loaded on the pallet 20 is washed and sterilized while being conveyed by the belt conveyor. A well-known cleaning / sterilizing mechanism may be used. However, in this embodiment, since it is necessary to wash and sterilize a large number of prepared food containers in a short time, it is preferable that the washing and sterilizing mechanism satisfy this condition.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the pallet 20 conveyed on the belt conveyor 31 is transferred to the other two belt conveyors 32 and 33 and conveyed on the two belt conveyors 32 and 33. Place the side dish in each side dish container of the pallet 20. An automated device may be used for this arranging, or the arranging may be carried out manually by an operator.

In the present embodiment, particularly in the case of manual arranging, the manual arranging is made extremely easy by transporting the prepared food container at a relatively slow speed. That is, the belt conveyor 31 is arranged on the upper stage side, the two belt conveyors 32 and 33 are arranged on the lower stage side, and the roller conveyor 34 is obliquely arranged so as to connect these conveyors.

The roller conveyor 34 includes a pair of supporting members 3
5 has a large number of rollers 36 loosely fitted therein, and the upper part of this roller conveyor 34 is the upper belt conveyor 3
It is swingably attached to 1. When the upper portion of the roller conveyor 34 is swung, the lower portion of the roller conveyor 34 moves from one belt conveyor 32 to the other belt conveyor 33.
Or vice versa. The swinging operation of the roller conveyor 34 is performed by an automatic control device (not shown).

Therefore, the belt conveyor 31 on the upper stage side
When the pallet 20 is conveyed, the roller conveyor 3
When 4 is connected to the lower belt conveyor 32, the pallet 20 slides on the roller conveyor 34 and is transferred to the lower belt conveyor 32. On the other hand, as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 2, when the roller conveyor 34 is swung and connected to the other belt conveyor 33,
The pallet 20 slides on the roller conveyor 34 and is transferred to the other belt conveyor 32. In this way, the pallets conveyed on the belt conveyor 31 can be alternately transferred to the belt conveyors 32, 33 on the lower stage side. When the pallet 20 is conveyed by the belt conveyors 32 and 33 on the lower stage side, the side dish is prepared by the operator in the side dish container 1.

Therefore, the three belt conveyors 31,
Assuming that 32 and 33 are moving at the same speed, the pallet 2 transferred to the lower belt conveyors 32 and 33.
The speed of 0 can be halved as compared with the case of the upper belt conveyor 31, and the speed of the prepared food container 1 loaded on the pallet 20 can also be halved.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the side dish container 1 is loaded into the pallet 20 and the conveying speed of the pallet 20 can be freely changed. Therefore, the side dish container 1 can be freely changed in speed. It is possible to extremely easily arrange the side dish in the container 1.

Next, FIGS. 9 to 1 of a third embodiment described later.
As shown in 1, the film container 7 is sealed with the film 7. Here, the prepared food container 1 according to the present embodiment is divided into a plurality of chambers 2 and 3 so as to accommodate a plurality of prepared foods, and the chamber 2 is a wall 4 raised from the bottom wall of the main container 1. Similarly, the chamber 3 is defined by a wall 5 raised from the bottom wall of the container 1. These walls 5 are lower than the side walls of the container 1.

The side dish container 1 may be adapted to store only one type of side dish. This side dish container 1
Is provided with a flange 6 on the entire circumference thereof. A film 7 covering the upper surface of the side dish container is sealed on the flange 6 by a sealing mechanism (not shown).

As the film 7, a film having low oxygen permeability and excellent safety is preferable, and specifically, a polyethylene film, a polypropylene film,
A polyester film or pullulan film is used. Of these, pullulan film is particularly preferred,
This film is composed of a water-soluble, non-gelling viscous polysaccharide, and is edible and has a low oxygen permeability. Moreover, since this pullulan film can be tightly adhered to the side dish container 1, it has an advantage of excellent sealing property. Further, if the side dish container 1 is sealed with this pullulan film, there is also an advantage that it is possible to save time and effort to remove the film when heating and heating the side dish.

Next, the air in the side dish container 1 is degassed and the side dish container 1 is filled with an inert gas. In the present embodiment, the side dish container 1 is designed so that the operation of replacing the air with an inert gas can be performed for a large number of side dish containers 1 in a short time.
Has a sealing valve 12 as shown below.

That is, in this embodiment, this flange 6
A gas filling section 10 for filling an inert gas into the space inside the container 1 at the joint between the film and the film 7, and an air deaerating section 1 for discharging the air inside the container at the time of filling the inert gas.
1 and are provided. FIG. 1 shown in the third embodiment below.
The gas filling section 10 and the air deaerating section 11 will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the gas filling section 10, a sealing valve 12 is fitted between the flange 6 and the film 7. The sealing valve 12 is composed of a pair of valve bodies 13a and 13b and is made of a flexible resin. Therefore, the inert gas filling pipe 14 connected to an inert gas supply source (not shown)
When inserted between the pair of valve bodies 13a and 13b,
The valve bodies 13a and 13b are bent by an amount that allows the filling pipe 14 to be inserted, and the periphery of the filling pipe 14 is surrounded by the valve bodies 13a and 13b.
It is in close contact with a and 13b. Therefore, the inert gas filling pipe 1 does not leak gas from the internal space of the container 1.
The gas can be filled into the internal space of the container 1 via 4. On the other hand, when the inert gas filling pipe 14 is removed, the pair of valve bodies 13a and 13b come into close contact with each other, and the container 1
The gas can be maintained without leaking from the internal space of the.

The gas degassing section 11 also has a gas filling section 1
A sealing valve 15 having the same configuration as the zero sealing valve 12 is provided. Therefore, the air deaeration pipe 16 is connected to the sealing valve 1
5 is inserted into the air degassing pipe 1
It is possible to allow the air deaeration pipe 16 to be inserted while closely adhering to the periphery of 6, and to discharge the air through the air deaeration pipe 16. On the other hand, when the air deaeration pipe 16 is removed, the sealing valve 15 can maintain the air without leaking from the internal space of the container 1.

Therefore, when the inert gas is filled, the inert gas filling pipe 14 and the air deaeration pipe 16 are inserted between the sealing valves 12 and 15, respectively. Since the sealing valves 12 and 15 are closely attached around the filling pipe 14 and the degassing pipe 16, respectively, gas or air is maintained without leaking from the sealing valves 12 and 15. Next, when the filling of the inert gas from the inert gas filling pipe 14 is started, the air inside the container 1 is discharged from the degassing pipe 16. As a result, after a predetermined time (several seconds) has elapsed, the inside of the container 1 is replaced with air from the inert gas. After that, the filling pipe 14 and the deaeration pipe 16 are removed, but the internal space of the container 1 is kept airtight by the sealing valves 12 and 15.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the inert gas can be filled in the prepared food container 1 by a very simple filling operation, this filling operation takes a short time (for example,
You can finish in a few seconds).

Further, the sealed side dish container 1 is filled with an inert gas, and the side dishes including vegetables and fruits are stored in an inert gas atmosphere to suppress the oxidization and respiration of the side dish. It is possible to suppress the evaporation of water from prepared foods, and as a result, it not only prevents the decay of prepared foods, but also produces a large quantity of prepared foods that can be stored for a long time without degrading the freshness, flavor and aroma of the prepared foods. it can. The inert gas is, for example, nitrogen gas, and needless to say, may be any other gas, as long as it is a gas capable of suppressing the oxidation and respiration of the prepared food.

Next, in this embodiment, the inert gas filling portion 10 and the air degassing portion 11 of the prepared food container 1 are completely sealed, but there is almost no possibility that the inert gas leaks due to the function of the sealing valve 12. Since it does not exist, this seal is not always necessary. Alternatively, the sealed side dish container 1 may be further filled in a bag (not shown), and the bag may be filled with an inert gas for sealing.

The first embodiment is not limited to the above, and can be variously modified. For example, in order to further improve the storability, the prepared food container may be filled with an inert gas while being cooled to a predetermined temperature, for example, -1 ° C or lower or -8 ° C or lower.

As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the sealed side dish container is filled with an inert gas, and the side dish is stored in an inert gas atmosphere. Oxidation and respiration can be suppressed, and evaporation of water in prepared foods can also be suppressed. As a result, it can be stored for a long period of time without deteriorating the decay, freshness, flavor and aroma of the prepared foods. Can produce large amounts of prepared foods.

Next, a side dish packaging apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a side dish container used in the side dish packaging apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the side dish packaging apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the seal gas chamber shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a cutaway perspective view of each gas chamber.

As shown in FIG. 4, the side dish container 1 used in this embodiment is made of synthetic resin and is divided into a plurality of chambers 2 and 3 so as to accommodate a plurality of side dishes. Two
Is defined by a wall 4 provided so as to rise from the bottom wall of the container 1, and likewise, the chamber 3 is defined by a wall 5 raised from the bottom wall. Walls 4 and 5 are
They are formed at substantially the same height and are lower than the height of the side wall of the container 1.

Such a prepared dish container 1 is prepared with a prepared dish automatic device (not shown) or manually by an operator. This side dish container 1
It may be able to accommodate only one side dish.

A flange 6 is formed on the outer periphery of the side wall of the prepared food container 1. As described later, after filling the prepared food container 1 with an inert gas, the film 7 is sealed on the flange 6.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the side dish packaging apparatus according to this embodiment is provided with four gas chambers 51, 52, 53, 54 for filling the side dish containers with an inert gas. is there. Further, a belt conveyor 55 (conveying means) is provided for sequentially conveying the prepared food container 1 with the prepared food in each of the gas chambers 51 to 54.

These gas chambers 51 to 54 are partitioned by an air curtain made of an inert gas. That is,
A first inert gas is passed through each of the gas chambers 51 to 54.
Gas distribution walls 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a, 55a are provided, and the second gas distribution walls 51b, 52b, 53 are arranged so as to face the first gas distribution walls 11a to 15a.
b, 54b, 55b are provided on the belt conveyor 55 side. An inert gas is supplied to the first gas distribution walls 51a to 55a, the pressure of the first gas distribution walls 51a to 55a is increased, and the inert gas is discharged from the first gas distribution walls 51a to 55a. At the same time, since the pressure of the second gas distribution walls 51b to 55b is lowered, the discharged inert gas is sucked into the second gas distribution walls 51b to 55b. Thereby, each of the gas chambers 51 to 54 can be partitioned by the flow of the inert gas.

Further, referring to FIG. 7, each gas chamber 51-
The configuration of partitioning 54 with an air curtain will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 7, the first gas distribution walls 51a to 55a on the side where the inert gas is blown out are arranged above the belt conveyor 55 so as to protrude to both sides of the conveyor 55. On the other hand, the second gas distribution walls 51b to 55b on the side for sucking the inert gas are arranged on both sides of the conveyor 55. Therefore, the first gas distribution wall 51a-
The inert gas blown from 55a is such that the gas emitted from the central portion thereof as shown by the arrow in FIG.
The gas emitted from the ends of a to 55a is allowed to flow downward as it is. This constitutes an air curtain that partitions each gas chamber.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a space is formed between the side wall 25 partitioning each gas chamber and the belt conveyor 55, and there is a risk that the inert gas may leak through this space. Therefore, there is provided a partition plate 26 having one end fixed to the side wall 25 and the other end placed on the belt conveyor 55. The partition plate 26 is made of an elastic material such as rubber so that the inert gas does not leak due to the vibration of the belt conveyor 55. This can prevent the inert gas from leaking through the space between the side wall 25 and the conveyor 55.

Further, the construction in which the gas chambers 51 to 54 are divided by the air curtain may be as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the first gas distribution walls 51a to 55a on the side that blows out the inert gas are the conveyor 5
The second circulation walls 51b to 55b on the side for sucking the inert gas are also arranged on the side of the conveyor 55 so as to be opposed thereto. Therefore, the inert gas blown out from the first gas distribution walls 51a to 55a is caused to flow across the conveyor 55 and is sucked into the second gas distribution walls 51b to 55b, as shown by the arrow in FIG. Thereby, the gas chambers 51 to 55 are partitioned by the air curtain. In this case, the upper side of the air curtain is divided by the fixed wall 51.

Next, in this second embodiment, the side dish container 1
The gas chambers 51 to 54, which are located on the downstream side for transporting the gas, are provided with a filling means for filling the respective gas chambers 51 to 54 with the inert gas so that the concentration of the inert gas increases stepwise. For example, the concentration of the inert gas in the gas chamber 51 is 85
%, The gas chamber 52 has a concentration of 95%, and the gas chamber 53 (gas seal chamber) has the highest concentration of 99%.
Is set to. On the contrary, the concentration of the gas chamber 54 is set lower than that of the gas chamber 53, for example, 90%. The gas chamber 54 is for maintaining the concentration of the gas chamber 53 at a predetermined level.

This filling means is, specifically, each gas chamber 5
1 to 54 are provided with suction pipes 57, 58, 59, 60 for sucking air in each gas chamber, and an introduction pipe 6 for introducing an inert gas into each gas chamber 51 to 54.
1, 62, 63, 64 are provided. These introduction pipes 41
˜44 are connected to an inert gas distributor 45. The inert gas distributor 45 functions to adjust the concentration of the inert gas and distribute it to the respective introduction pipes 61 to 64. The inert gas may be any gas as long as it can suppress the oxidation and respiration of prepared foods, and is, for example, nitrogen gas.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in the gas chamber 53 (gas seal chamber) having the highest concentration of the inert gas, the film 7 described above is sealed on the flange 6 of the prepared dish container 1 to prepare the prepared dish container 1. A sealing device 65 (sealing means) for sealing the above is provided. The sealing device 6 is provided with the side dish container 1 filled with the inert gas by the inert gas atmosphere in the gas chamber 53 (gas seal chamber) having the highest concentration of the inert gas.
5 moves up and down to seal.

Therefore, by transporting the side dish container 1 on which the side dish is placed by the belt conveyor 55 in the gas chamber where the concentration of the inert gas is gradually increased stepwise,
The concentration of the inert gas in the side dish container can be increased successively, and in the gas chamber 53 (gas seal chamber) where the concentration of the inert gas is highest, the air in the side dish container 1 is completely converted to the inert gas. It can be replaced and the side dish container 1 can be filled with an inert gas. The prepared food container 1 in this state is sealed with the film 7 by the sealing device 65, and then the sealed prepared food container 1 is passed through the gas chamber 54. The gas chamber 54 is for maintaining the concentration of the gas chamber 53 at a predetermined level.

From the above, a large number of prepared food containers can be continuously and rapidly filled with the inert gas, and the inert gas is not insufficiently filled. As a result, a side dish that can be stored for a long period of time can be mass-produced.

It is needless to say that the present embodiment is not limited to the above, and in particular, the filling means for making the concentration of the gas chamber predetermined, the shape of the side dish container, etc. are not particularly limited. As described above, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the concentration of the inert gas in the prepared food container is increased by transporting the prepared food container in the gas chamber in which the concentration of the inert gas is increased stepwise. The air in the side dish container can be completely replaced with the inert gas in the gas chamber where the concentration of the inert gas is highest, and the side dish container must be filled with the inert gas. Then, the prepared food container 1 in this state is sealed by the sealing means. Therefore, a large number of prepared food containers can be continuously and quickly filled with an inert gas, and the prepared food container is never filled with the inert gas.
The inert gas is not filled insufficiently.
As a result, a side dish that can be stored for a long period of time can be mass-produced.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. 9 is a perspective view of a side dish container according to a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the side dish container shown in FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view of the sealing valve shown in FIG. It is a figure.

As shown in FIG. 9, the side dish container 1 according to this embodiment has a plurality of chambers 2 and 3 so as to accommodate a plurality of side dishes.
The chamber 2 is defined by a wall 4 raised from the bottom wall of the container 1. Similarly, the chamber 3 is defined by a wall 5 raised from the bottom wall of the container 1. These walls 4, 5 are lower than the side wall of the container 1.

Further, the prepared food container 1 according to this embodiment is provided with a flange 6 on the entire circumference thereof. This flange 6
The film 7 that covers the front of the side dish container is sealed. The sealing means may be any known one and is not limited in any way.

In the present embodiment, the gas filling portion 10 for filling the space inside the container 1 with the inert gas, the fitting portion of the flange 6 and the film 7, and the container at the time of filling the inert gas. An air deaeration unit 11 for discharging the air therein is provided.

Next, the gas filling section 10 and the air degassing section 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the gas filling section 10, between the flange 6 and the film 7,
The sealing valve 12 is fitted. The sealing valve 12 is composed of a pair of valve bodies 13a and 13b and is made of a flexible resin. Therefore, when the inert gas filling pipe 14 connected to an inert gas supply source (not shown) is inserted between the pair of valve bodies 13a and 13b, the valve body 13
a and 13b are bent by the amount that allows the filling pipe 14 to be inserted, and the periphery of the filling pipe 14 is surrounded by these valve bodies 13a and 13b.
Is in close contact with. Therefore, the gas can be filled into the internal space of the container 1 through the inert gas filling pipe 14 without leaking the gas from the internal space of the container 1. On the other hand, when the inert gas discharge pipe 14 is removed, the pair of valve bodies 13a and 13b come into close contact with each other, and the gas can be maintained without leaking from the internal space of the container 1.

In addition, the gas degassing section 11 also includes the gas filling section 1
A sealing valve 15 having the same configuration as the zero sealing valve 12 is provided. Therefore, the air deaeration pipe 16 is connected to the sealing valve 1
5 is inserted into the air degassing pipe 1
It is possible to allow the air deaeration pipe 16 to be inserted while closely adhering to the periphery of 6, and to discharge the air through the air deaeration pipe 16. On the other hand, when the air discharge pipe 16 is removed, the sealing valve 15 can maintain the air without leaking from the internal space of the container 1.

Therefore, when filling the inert gas, the inert gas filling pipe 14 and the air degassing pipe 16 are inserted between the sealing valves 12 and 15, respectively. Since the sealing valves 12 and 15 are closely attached around the filling pipe 14 and the degassing pipe 16, respectively, gas or air is maintained without leaking from the sealing valves 12 and 15. Next, when the filling of the inert gas from the inert gas filling pipe 14 is started, the air inside the container 1 is discharged from the degassing pipe 16.
As a result, after a predetermined time (several seconds) has elapsed, the inside of the container 1 is replaced with air from the inert gas. After that, the filling pipe 14 and the deaeration pipe 16 are removed, but the internal space of the container 1 is kept airtight by the sealing valves 12 and 15.

As described above, in this embodiment, since the inert gas can be filled into the prepared food container 1 by a very simple filling operation, this filling operation can be performed for a short time (for example,
It can be finished in a few seconds, and thus, it is possible to mass produce prepared foods that can be stored for a long time.

The inert gas is, for example, nitrogen gas, and it goes without saying that it may be another gas. In short, any gas that can suppress the oxidation and respiration of prepared foods may be used.

Next, referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the sealing valve 1
A first modified example of No. 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 12, the sealing valve 12 according to this modification has a shape in which a tube is flatly crushed, and is formed of a flexible resin. Also in this case, when the inert gas filling pipe 14 is inserted into the sealing valve 12, the sealing valve bends by an amount allowing the insertion of the filling pipe 14, and the periphery of the filling pipe 14 is surrounded by the sealing valve 12. It adheres to 12. Therefore, the gas can be filled into the internal space of the container 1 through the inert gas filling pipe 14 without leaking the gas from the internal space of the container 1. On the other hand, when the inert gas filling pipe 14 is removed, the sealing valve 12 comes into close contact, and the gas can be maintained without leaking from the internal space of the container 1.

Further, a second modification of the sealing valve 12 will be described with reference to FIG. In this modification, the sealing valve 12
Has an inlet side sealing portion 66, a gas chamber 67, and an outlet side sealing portion 68, and is made of a flexible resin. When the inert gas filling pipe 14 is inserted into the inlet-side sealing portion 66, the inlet-side sealing portion 66 bends by an amount that allows the filling pipe 14 to be inserted, and the periphery of the filling pipe 14 is surrounded by the inlet-side sealing portion 66. It is in close contact with the portion 66, and the tip of the filling pipe 14 has a gas chamber 67.
It will be in a state of rushing into. In this state, the filling pipe 14
When the filling of the inert gas is started via, the outlet side sealing portion 68 is opened, and the inert gas can be filled into the internal space of the container 1 via the introduction pipe 14. At this time, the degree of flexibility of the inlet side sealing portion 66 is set so that the inlet side sealing portion 66 is in a closed state. On the other hand, when the filling pipe 14 is removed, the inlet side sealing portion 66 and the outlet side sealing portion 68 are in a sealed state, and the leakage of the gas filled in the internal space of the container 1 can be prevented. Therefore, as described above, since the prepared food container 1 can be filled with the inert gas by the extremely simple filling work, this filling work can be completed in a short time (for example, several seconds), and therefore, for a long period of time. It is possible to mass-produce savory side dishes.

The present embodiment is not limited to the above, and can be variously modified. As mentioned above,
In the third embodiment of the present invention, when the inert gas filling pipe is inserted into this sealing valve, the inert gas can be filled into the prepared food container without leaking the gas from the space inside the prepared food container. On the other hand, after this filling, when the inert gas filling pipe is removed from the sealing valve, the space inside the side dish container is kept airtight and gas does not leak. In this way, since the inert gas can be filled into the prepared food container by an extremely simple filling work, this filling work can be completed in a short time (for example, several seconds), and therefore, the prepared food that can be stored for a long period of time can be stored. Can be mass produced.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. 15 is a perspective view of a prepared food container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the prepared food container shown in FIG. 15, and FIG. 17 is a sectional view of a film according to the fourth embodiment. Is.

As shown in FIG. 15, the side dish container 1 according to the first embodiment is divided into a plurality of chambers 2 and 3 so as to accommodate a plurality of side dishes, and this chamber 2 is the main container. 1 is defined by a wall 4 raised from the bottom wall, and likewise the chamber 3 is defined by a wall 5 raised from the bottom wall of the container 1. These walls 4, 5 are lower than the side wall of the container 1.

Further, the prepared food container 1 according to this embodiment is provided with a flange 6 on the entire circumference thereof. This flange 6
The film 7 is sealed at the bottom. The sealing means may be any known one and is not limited in any way.

In this embodiment, the film 7 is provided with the self-sealing members 69 and 70. The self-sealing member 69 maintains the internal space of the container 1 airtight when the inert gas filling needle 71 is inserted, and the filling needle 7
While the inert gas can be filled from 1 to the inner space of the container 1, the inner space of the container 1 is kept airtight when the inert gas filling needle 71 is removed.

This self-sealing member 69 is specifically a substance having a low hardness and an adhesive property, and in consideration of food safety, for example, a light-receiving adhesive substance, silicone rubber, silicone. It is a gel.

Similarly, the self-sealing member 70 is for degassing air from the internal space of the container 1 when filling the inert gas, and when the air discharge needle 72 is inserted, The inner space of the container 1 is kept airtight, while the inner space of the container 1 is kept airtight when the air discharge needle 72 is removed. The self-sealing member 70 is also made of the same material as the self-sealing member 69.

Therefore, at the time of filling with the inert gas, the inert gas filling needle 71 and the air discharging needle 72 are inserted into the self-sealing members 69 and 70, respectively. Since the area around the filling needle 71 and the area around the discharge needle 72 are in close contact with each other by the self-sealing members 69 and 70, gas or air is maintained without leaking from the self-sealing members 69 and 70. Next, the inert gas filling needle 71 starts filling the inert gas, and the discharge needle 72 discharges the air inside the container 1. As a result, after a predetermined time (several seconds) has elapsed, the inside of the container 1 can be replaced with air by an inert gas. After that, when the filling needle 71 and the discharging needle 72 are removed, the internal space of the container 1 becomes self-sealing members 69, 70.
Can be kept airtight.

As described above, in this embodiment, since the inert gas can be filled in the prepared food container 1 by an extremely simple filling operation, this filling operation is performed for a short time (eg,
It can be finished in a few seconds, and thus, it is possible to mass produce prepared foods that can be stored for a long time.

The inert gas is, for example, nitrogen gas, and it goes without saying that it may be another gas. In short, any gas that can suppress the oxidation and respiration of prepared foods may be used.

Next, a modification of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 17, in this modification, the film 7 for sealing the prepared food container 1 is formed of a laminated film in which first layers 23 and second layers 24 are alternately laminated. The first layer 23 is a silicone rubber or silicone gel that exhibits the self-sealing property described above, and the second layer 24 is a polyethylene terephthalate film.

When the whole of the film 7 is inserted with the inert gas filling needle 71, the inner space of the container 1 is kept airtight, and the inner space of the container 1 is filled with the inert gas from the filling needle 71. While enabling the inert gas filling needle 71
When is removed, the internal space of the container 1 can be kept airtight. The same applies to the air discharge needle 72. Therefore, if the side dish container is sealed with this film 7, the inert gas is filled in the side dish container 1 even if the inert gas filling needle 71 and the air discharge needle 72 are pierced at any place on the film 7. can do.

Therefore, as compared with the fourth embodiment,
Even if the filling needle 71 and the discharge needle 72 are roughly positioned, the prepared food container 1 can be filled with an inert gas by a very simple filling operation, and this filling operation can be completed in a short time (for example, several seconds). Therefore, it is possible to mass-produce prepared foods that can be stored for a long period of time.

The present embodiment is not limited to the above, and can be variously modified. For example, the film may be used not only to directly seal the prepared food container 1 as shown in FIG. 15 but also to wrap the prepared food container in a bag shape.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the self-sealing member as described above is provided on the film, or the self-sealing first layer as described above is used. Since the film is formed, when the inert gas filling needle is inserted through this self-sealing member or film, the inert gas is filled into the prepared food container without leaking the gas from the space inside the prepared food container. On the other hand, when the inert gas filling needle is removed after the filling, the space inside the prepared food container is kept airtight and the gas does not leak. In this way, since the inert gas can be filled into the prepared food container by an extremely simple filling work, this filling work can be completed in a short time (for example, several seconds), and therefore, the prepared food that can be stored for a long period of time can be stored. Can be mass produced.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a side dish container according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 18, the prepared food container 1 according to the present embodiment is divided into a plurality of chambers 2 and 3 so as to accommodate a plurality of prepared foods, and the chamber 2 stands from the bottom wall of the main container 1. It is defined by a raised wall 4, and similarly, the side dished portion 3 is defined by a wall 5 raised from the bottom wall of the container 1. These walls 5 are lower than the side walls of the container 1.

The side dish container 1 according to this embodiment is provided with a flange 6 on the entire circumference thereof.
The film 7 covering the front of the side dish container is sealed.
The sealing means may be any known one and is not limited in any way.

In this embodiment, a gas filling portion 10 for filling the space inside the container 1 with an inert gas is provided at the joint between the flange 6 and the film 7, and the inside of the container is filled with the inert gas. And an air deaerator 11 for deaerating the air.

In the gas filling portion 10, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 in the third embodiment, the sealing valve 12 is fitted between the flange 6 and the film 7. The sealing valve 12 includes a pair of valve bodies 13a and 13b,
It is made of flexible resin. Therefore, the inert gas filling pipe 1 connected to an inert gas supply source (not shown)
When 4 is inserted between the pair of valve bodies 13a and 13b, the valve bodies 13a and 13b are bent by an amount that allows the filling pipe 14 to be inserted, and are in close contact with the periphery of the filling pipe 14.
Therefore, the gas can be filled into the internal space of the container 1 through the inert gas filling pipe 14 without leaking the gas from the internal space of the container 1. On the other hand, when the inert gas filling pipe 14 is removed, the pair of valve bodies 13a and 13b come into close contact with each other, and the gas can be maintained without leaking from the internal space of the container 1.

The gas degassing section 11 also has a gas filling section 1
A sealing valve 15 having the same structure as the sealing valve 12 of No. 0 is provided. Therefore, when the air degassing pipe 16 is inserted between the sealing valves 15, the sealing valve 15 is closely attached to the periphery of the air degassing pipe 16 and allows the air degassing pipe 16 to be inserted. The air can be degassed via. On the other hand, when the air deaeration pipe 16 is removed, the sealing valve 1
5 can be maintained without leaking air from the internal space of the container 1.

Therefore, at the time of filling with the inert gas, the inert gas filling pipe 14 and the air degassing pipe 16 are inserted between the sealing valves 12 and 15, respectively. Since the sealing valves 12 and 15 are closely attached around the filling pipe 14 and the degassing pipe 16, respectively, gas or air is maintained without leaking from the sealing valves 12 and 15. Next, the filling of the inert gas is started from the inert gas filling pipe 14, and the air inside the container 1 is degassed from the degassing pipe 16. As a result, after a predetermined time (several seconds) has elapsed, the inside of the container 1 can be replaced with air by an inert gas. After that, the filling pipe 14 and the deaeration pipe 16 are removed, but the internal space of the container 1 can be kept airtight by the sealing valves 12 and 15.

As described above, in this embodiment, the side dish container 1 sealed with the film 7 can be filled with the inert gas, and the side dish can be stored in the inert gas atmosphere. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the oxidation and respiratory action of the prepared food, and also to suppress the evaporation of the water of the prepared food, as a result, not only to prevent the decay of the prepared food, but also without degrading the freshness, flavor and aroma of the prepared food, The prepared food can be stored for a long time.

Moreover, in this embodiment, as described above,
Since the inert gas can be filled into the side dish container 1 by an extremely simple filling operation, this filling operation can be completed in a short time (for example, several seconds).
It is possible to mass produce side dishes that can be stored for a long time.

The inert gas is, for example, nitrogen gas, and it goes without saying that it may be another gas. In short, any gas that can suppress the oxidation and respiration of prepared foods may be used.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the side dish container 1
Adsorption means for adsorbing and fixing ethylene gas generated from vegetables and fruits is provided. This adsorbing means is, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, an adsorbent powder 27 which is arranged in the chamber 3 and accommodated in a bag. This adsorbent powder 2
7 is, for example, coral powder, zeolite powder, powder in which silver is supported on zeolite, Otaniishi powder, and acetate proof. Particularly, in the case of a powder in which silver is supported on zeolite, it is possible to exert antibacterial and bactericidal effects.

Since the suction means is provided in this way,
The adsorbent powder 27 adsorbs ethylene gas generated from vegetables, fruits and the like placed in the chamber 3. for that reason,
It is possible to remove ethylene gas from the space inside the side dish container 1, prevent aging of vegetables and fruits from being promoted, and maintain their freshness sufficiently. Therefore, the prepared food container according to the present embodiment has excellent storability of vegetables and fruits.

Next, a modified example of the suction means will be described. Figure 1
As shown in FIG. 9, the adsorbing means may be an adsorbent powder 22 which is solidly molded into a cubic shape. The adsorbent powder 22 is the above-mentioned zeolite powder or the like,
The same operation as described above is performed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 20, the adsorption means may be an adsorption film 28 in which adsorbent powder is mixed. The adsorption film 28 is laid in the chamber 3 and vegetables, fruits, etc. are placed on it. The adsorbent powder is the above-mentioned zeolite powder or the like.

The present inventor conducted experiments on the shelf life of salads using this adsorption film 28. as a result,
For tomatoes, the storage period was about 3 days when the adsorption film 28 was not used.
When used, it could be preserved while maintaining the freshness for about 6-8 days. As for lettuce, the storage period was about 3 days when the film was not used.
When used, it could be preserved while maintaining the freshness for about 10-12 days. Further, apples could be stored only for about 15-20 days when the film was not used, but when using adsorption film 28, they could be stored for about 70-90 days while maintaining their freshness. It was

Further, the suction means may be constructed as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 21, a resin sheet 30 obtained by laminating the above-mentioned adsorption film 28 on a resin base material 29 may be prepared, and the side dish container 1 may be molded from this resin sheet 30. Also in this case, ethylene gas can be adsorbed, and vegetables and fruits can be preserved while being kept fresh. The resin base material 29
Is a thermoplastic film or the like.

The present embodiment is not limited to the above, and can be variously modified. In particular, the sealing valve 12 may be other than the one shown in the figure, and the adsorbent powder is not limited to the illustrated one.

As described above, in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the side dish container sealed with a film can be filled with an inert gas, and the side dish can be stored in an inert gas atmosphere. . Therefore, it is possible to suppress the oxidation and respiratory action of the prepared food, and also to suppress the evaporation of the water of the prepared food, as a result, not only to prevent the decay of the prepared food, but also without degrading the freshness, flavor and aroma of the prepared food, The prepared food can be stored for a long time. Moreover, in the present invention, since the adsorbent that adsorbs the ethylene gas generated from the side dish (vegetables, fruits) is provided, this ethylene gas can be removed from the side dish container, and the freshness of these vegetables and fruits can be maintained sufficiently fresh. It is possible to preserve vegetables and fruits.

Next explained is the sixth embodiment of the invention. 22 is a perspective view of a side dish container according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 23 is a sectional view of the side dish container shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 22, the prepared food container 1 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of chambers 2 so as to accommodate a plurality of prepared foods.
3, the chamber 2 is defined by a wall 4 raised from the bottom wall of the main container 1, likewise the chamber 3 is a wall raised from the bottom wall of the main container 1. It is defined by 5. These walls 4, 5 are lower than the side wall of the container 1.

Further, the prepared food container 1 according to this embodiment is provided with a flange 6 on the entire circumference thereof. This flange 6
The film 7 that covers the front of the side dish container is sealed. The sealing means may be any known one and is not limited in any way.

On the film 7, self-sealing members 69, 7
0 is provided. The self-sealing member 69 keeps the inner space of the container 1 airtight when the inert gas filling needle 71 is inserted, so that the inner space of the container 1 can be filled with the inert gas from the filling needle 71. On the other hand, when the inert gas filling needle 71 is removed, the inner space of the container 1 is kept airtight. The self-sealing member 69 is specifically a substance having a low hardness and an adhesive property, and in consideration of safety of prepared foods, for example, is a light-receiving adhesive substance, silicone rubber, or silicone gel. . Self-sealing member 70
Is similarly configured.

Therefore, when the inert gas is filled, the inert gas filling needle 71 and the air discharge needle 72 are inserted into the self-sealing members 69 and 70, respectively. Since the area around the filling needle 71 and the area around the discharging needle 72 are in close contact with each other by the self-sealing members 69 and 70, gas or air is maintained without leaking from the self-sealing members 69 and 70. Next, the inert gas filling needle 71 starts filling the inert gas, and the discharge needle 72 discharges the air inside the container 1. As a result, after a predetermined time (several seconds) has elapsed, the inside of the container 1 can be replaced with air by an inert gas. After that, when the filling needle 71 and the discharging needle 72 are removed, the internal space of the container 1 becomes self-sealing members 69, 70.
Can be kept airtight. In this way, since the inert gas can be filled in the prepared food container 1 by an extremely simple filling operation, this filling operation can be completed in a short time (for example, several seconds), and therefore, it can be stored for a long time. It is possible to mass produce side dishes.

The inert gas is, for example, nitrogen gas, and it goes without saying that it may be another gas. In short, any gas that can suppress the oxidation and respiration of prepared foods may be used.

In the present embodiment, the storage bag 40 for storing fruits and vegetables which especially need freshness is arranged in the chamber 3 of the side dish container 1. The storage bag 40 is formed of a film. As the film, a film having small oxygen permeability and excellent safety is preferable, and specifically, a polyethylene film, a polypropylene film,
A polyester film or pullulan film is used. Of these, pullulan film is most preferred,
This pullulan film is composed of a water-soluble, non-gelling viscous polysaccharide, and is edible and has a low oxygen permeability. Further, this pullulan film also has an advantage that it is possible to save the trouble of removing the film when heating and heating the side dish.

Further, in this embodiment, the storage bag 40 is provided with an adsorbing means for adsorbing ethylene gas generated from fruits and vegetables. This suction means is, for example, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the adsorbent powder 50 is solidly molded into a cubic shape. The adsorbent powder 50 is, for example, coral powder, zeolite powder, powder in which silver is supported on zeolite, Otaniishi powder, or acetate proof.
In particular, in the case of a powder carrying silver on zeolite,
It can also exert antibacterial and bactericidal effects.

As described above, since the adsorbent powder 50 for adsorbing ethylene gas generated from fruits and vegetables is provided, this ethylene gas can be removed from the storage bag 40, and the freshness of fruits and vegetables can be made sufficiently fresh. Can be maintained.
Moreover, when the fruits and vegetables are harvested, the fruits and the like can be stored in the storage bag 40 to remove ethylene gas, and then the storage bag 40 is placed in the side dish container 1.
Therefore, the respiratory action of fruits and vegetables that require freshness can be suppressed from the time of harvest, and even when fruits and vegetables that require freshness are placed in the side dish container 1, the deterioration or decay of these Or effective prevention of deterioration,
Can be stored for a long time.

Next, a modified example of the suction means will be described. Although not specifically shown, the adsorbing means may store the adsorbent powder in a powder state in a bag and dispose the adsorbent powder in the storage bag 40.
In this case as well, the same action and effect as those described above are exhibited.

Further, the adsorbing means is an adsorbing film in which adsorbent powder is mixed, and the accommodating bag 40 may be molded from this adsorbing film. The present inventor conducted an experiment on the storage period of salad using this adsorption film.
As a result, tomatoes had a storage period of about 3 days when the adsorption film was not used, but when the adsorption film was used, they could be preserved while maintaining the freshness for about 6-8 days. Regarding the lettuce, the storage period was about 3 days when the film was not used, but when the adsorption film was used, the lettuce could be stored while maintaining the freshness for about 10-12 days. Furthermore, apples could be stored only for about 15-20 days when the film was not used, but could be stored for about 70-90 days while maintaining the freshness when the adsorption film was used. .

Further, the suction means may be constructed as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 21 of the fifth embodiment, the adsorption film 2 containing adsorbent powder is mixed.
It is also possible to prepare a resin sheet 30 in which 8 is laminated on the resin base material 29 and form the storage bag 10 from this resin sheet 30. Also in this case, ethylene gas can be adsorbed, and fruits and vegetables can be preserved while being kept fresh. The resin base material 29 is a thermoplastic film or the like.

The present embodiment is not limited to the above, and it is needless to say that it can be variously modified, and the material of the storage bag 40 is not limited to the film of the embodiment, and other materials may be used. As described above, in the sixth embodiment of the present invention, since the adsorbing means for adsorbing ethylene gas generated from fruits and vegetables is provided, this ethylene gas can be removed from the storage bag, and the fruits and vegetables can be removed. The freshness of can be maintained sufficiently fresh. Moreover, when the fruits and vegetables are harvested, the fruits and the like can be stored in a storage bag to remove ethylene gas, and then the storage bag is placed in the side dish container.
Therefore, it is possible to suppress the respiratory action of fruits and vegetables that particularly require freshness from the time of harvest, and even when fruits and vegetables that particularly require freshness are arranged in a side dish container, these deterioration or decay or It can be stored for a long time by effectively preventing deterioration and the like. Also, of course, since the inside of the side dish container is in an inert gas atmosphere, it not only prevents the deterioration of other side dishes but also the freshness
Can be stored between containers without deteriorating flavor and aroma.

Although the respective embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, the present invention can be carried out as follows. For example, the side dish is filled with the side dish, the side dish container is transferred by a conveyor, and then, the seal is filled with an inert gas after passing through a preliminary chamber in which air is sucked and an inert gas is blown. The prepared food container may be sealed with a film indoors and an inert gas may be filled in the non-filled space of the prepared food container.

A side dish is placed in a side dish container, the side dish container is transferred by a conveyor, and after passing through a preliminary chamber in which air is sucked and an inert gas is blown, a seal filled with an inert gas is placed. Put the side dish container at -1 ° C in the cooling room.
It is also possible to seal the film with a film while cooling to a temperature of up to and fill an inert gas into the non-filling space of the prepared food container.

After passing the prepared food through a preliminary chamber in which air is sucked and inert gas is blown, the prepared food container is placed in a seal cooling chamber filled with an inert gas at -8.
While cooling to a temperature of ℃ or less, it may be sealed with a film, and nitrogen gas obtained by vaporizing liquid nitrogen may be enclosed in the non-filling space of the side dish container.

Further, the side dish is placed on the side dish container, the side dish container is transferred by a conveyor, and then the side dish container is passed by the conveyor through a preliminary chamber into which nitrogen gas is introduced.
Then, nitrogen gas may be enclosed while being rapidly cooled in the seal cooling chamber and sealed with a film.

Also in this way, a long-term storable prepared food can be produced in a large amount as in the above-mentioned embodiment. In the present invention, when the prepared food thus produced is stored in a freezer kept at a temperature of -15 ° C or lower, the prepared food can be kept fresh for an extremely long period of time.

According to the present invention, the prepared food prepared as described above can be kept fresh in a refrigerator kept at a temperature of 5 to -1 ° C for a considerably long period of time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a packaging device for a long-term storable prepared food according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pallet used in the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an apparatus for transporting the pallet shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a side dish container used in a side dish packaging apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a side dish packaging device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the seal gas chamber shown in FIG.

7 is a cutaway perspective view of each gas chamber of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a cutaway perspective view of each gas chamber according to a modified example of the same embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a side dish container according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a cross-sectional view of the side dish container shown in FIG.

11 is an enlarged sectional view of the sealing valve shown in FIG.

12 is a perspective view showing a first modification of the sealing valve shown in FIG.

13 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing valve shown in FIG.

14 is a sectional view showing a second modification of the sealing valve shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a side dish container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

16 is a sectional view of the side dish container shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of a film according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a side dish container according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a side dish container showing a modified example of the suction means shown in FIG. 18.

20 is a cross-sectional view of a prepared food container showing another modified example of the suction means shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a resin sheet constituting a side dish container showing still another modified example of the suction means.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a side dish container according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the prepared food container shown in FIG. 22.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... side dish container 2, 3 ... chamber 12, 15 ... sealing valve

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A vacuum forming mechanism for vacuum forming a sheet to produce a prepared food container, a cleaning / sterilizing mechanism for cleaning and sterilizing the prepared prepared food container, and a plate for serving prepared food on the washed and sterilized prepared food container. Attaching mechanism, sealing mechanism that seals the upper side of the side dish container on which the side dish is placed, and air is degassed from the inner space of the sealed side dish container, and this inner space is filled with an inert gas. Deaeration
An apparatus for packing prepared foods that can be stored for a long period of time, comprising an inert gas filling mechanism. 2. A transport means for sequentially transporting a plurality of gas chambers, which are sequentially arranged in one direction and partitioned by an air curtain, and a large number of prepared food containers with prepared dishes, and the prepared food container. In the gas chamber with the highest concentration of inert gas, the filling means that fills each gas chamber with the inert gas so that the concentration of the inert gas gradually increases in the downstream gas chamber. A packaging device for prepared foods, comprising: a sealing means for sealing each prepared food container. 3. One or more gas chambers for carrying a sealed prepared food container are further provided on the downstream side of the gas chamber having the highest concentration of inert gas, and the gas chamber is located on the downstream side by the filling means. The side dish packaging device according to claim 2, wherein the concentration of the inert gas in the gas chamber is gradually lowered as it is located on the downstream side from the gas chamber having the highest concentration of the inert gas. . 4. An inert gas filling pipe is used for an inner space of a container which is sealed with a film and in which a side dish is placed,
A side dish container that can be filled with an inert gas, and when an inert gas filling pipe is inserted, enables the filling of the inert gas from the filling pipe into the container internal space while maintaining the interior space of the container airtight. On the other hand, a prepared food container having a sealing valve for keeping the inner space of the container airtight when the inert gas filling pipe is removed. 5. A prepared food container for filling an inert gas with a needle filled with an inert gas into an inner space of a container sealed with a film and provided with a prepared food, wherein the needle filled with the inert gas is inserted. Occasionally, the interior space of the container is kept airtight to allow the inert gas to fill the interior space of the container from this filling needle. A prepared food container, wherein a sealing member is provided on the film. 6. A prepared food container for filling an inert gas with a needle filled with an inert gas into an inner space of a container sealed with a film and provided with a prepared food, wherein an inert gas filled needle is inserted. Occasionally, the interior space of the container is kept airtight to allow the inert gas to fill the interior space of the container from this filling needle. A prepared food container, wherein the film is formed from a laminated film in which a first layer having a sealing property and a second layer made of another resin are alternately laminated. 7. A film for sealing a side dish container and filling the inner space of the side dish container with an inert gas, wherein the inner space of the container is kept airtight when an inert gas filling needle is inserted. In addition, a self-sealing member is provided to enable the inert gas to be filled from the filling needle into the container inner space, while maintaining the container inner space airtight when the inert gas filling needle is removed. And the film. 8. A film for sealing a side dish container and filling an inner space of the side dish container with an inert gas, wherein the inner space of the container is kept airtight when an inert gas filling needle is inserted. While allowing the inert gas to be filled from the filling needle into the container inner space, when the inert gas filling needle is removed, the self-sealing first layer that keeps the container inner space airtight and other A film formed by a laminated film in which a second layer made of a resin is alternately laminated. 9. A side dish container for serving a side dish, wherein an inert gas filling part capable of filling an inert gas into the interior space of the side dish container and a specific side dish placed in the side dish container are generated. A side dish container, comprising: an adsorption means for adsorbing ethylene gas. 10. The prepared food container according to claim 9, wherein the adsorbing means is made of an adsorbent powder contained in a bag. 11. The prepared food container according to claim 9, wherein the adsorbing means is made of an adsorbent powder molded into a solid. 12. The adsorption means comprises an adsorption film containing adsorbent powder mixed therein.
Side dish container described in. 13. The adsorbent powder is a powder selected from the group consisting of coral powder, zeolite powder, zeolite-supported silver powder, Otaniishi powder, and acetate proof. The prepared food container according to claim 12. 14. A side dish container for serving a side dish, which is formed by molding a resin sheet in which a resin base material is laminated with an adsorption film in which adsorbent powder for adsorbing ethylene gas is mixed. A special side dish container. 15. A prepared food container sealed with a film, filled with prepared foods, and filled with an inert gas in an inner space of the container, which contains fruits and vegetables, and ethylene gas generated from the fruits and vegetables. A prepared food container, wherein a storage bag having an adsorption means for adsorbing is disposed in the prepared food container. 16. The prepared food container according to claim 15, wherein the adsorbing means is made of an adsorbent powder molded into a solid. 17. The prepared food container according to claim 15, wherein the adsorbing means is made of an adsorbent powder contained in a bag. 18. The prepared food container according to claim 15, wherein the adsorbing means is made of a film in which adsorbent powder is mixed, and the storage bag is made of the film. 19. The storage bag is formed from a resin sheet formed by laminating a resin base material with a film in which adsorbent powder as adsorbing means is mixed. The prepared side dish container. 20. The adsorbent powder is a powder selected from the group consisting of coral powder, zeolite powder, powder in which silver is supported on zeolite, Otaniishi powder, and acetate proof. The prepared food container according to claim 19. 21. A method for preserving prepared food, characterized in that the prepared food stored in the container according to any one of claims 4 to 6 or 9 to 20 is stored in a freezer kept at a temperature of -15 ° C or lower. . 22. Storage of prepared foods, characterized in that the prepared foods stored in the container according to any one of claims 4 to 6 or 9 to 20 are stored in a freezer kept at a temperature of 5 to -1 ° C. Method.