JPH0748197Y2 - Frozen food defroster - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a frozen food defrosting device capable of defrosting frozen foods, for example, frozen frozen foods such as frozen pilafs and frozen spaghettis, and further heating them to the eating temperature.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Steaming equipment, steamers, microwave ovens and the like have been widely used as equipment for thawing and cooking frozen foods, but these require 5 to 5 hours for thawing and cooking. It takes a relatively long time of 15 minutes and is not suitable for quick service. Therefore, in order to mass-decompress and cook a large amount in time, there is a disadvantage that a large facility is required.

Therefore, the present applicant has previously provided a method and apparatus for cooking frozen food in a container and cooking it by heating as a method and apparatus for cooking food in a container (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-94066). (See the official gazette).

[0004]

The above method and apparatus are
It is suitable for thawing and heating a predetermined amount of food, for example, for one person, which is stored in a container of a predetermined size from the distribution stage in advance, but is distributed in various container forms and contents. In order to thaw and heat the frozen food that has already been cooked, it is necessary to devise a certain method, and in order to thaw and heat several people at the same time, prepare a heater that can store many containers that hold frozen food. Had to do.

Therefore, the present invention improves the above-mentioned device to provide a frozen food defrosting device capable of thawing and heating frozen food for one person to several tens of people at a time and also capable of automatic operation. Is intended.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the frozen food defrosting device of the present invention has an upper opening,
A frozen food storage container having pores for discharging steam at the bottom,
A lid for steam introduction which is mounted on the upper opening of the frozen food container, the frozen food storage and a drain tank for steam discharged for placing the container, the lid steam generator through the steam inlet pipe continuously provided a device to Rutotomoni, frozen inside of the lid
The steam that flows between the frozen foods stored in the food storage container
A space for diffusion is formed and the drain tank is equipped with the
A series of exhaust pumps are installed to discharge the steam that has flowed between the frozen foods.
And characterized in that the further, provided with a pressure sensing means to the lid, when the lid is greater than a predetermined pressure,
A steam introduction control means for stopping the introduction of steam from the steam generator according to a signal from the pressure detection means is provided, and a temperature detection means is provided in the drain tank, and the inside of the drain tank exceeds a predetermined temperature. At this time, a steam introduction control means for stopping the introduction of the steam from the steam generator in response to a signal from the temperature detecting means is provided.

[0007]

[Operation] According to the above configuration, after putting an appropriate amount of cooked frozen food in the frozen food storage container, place the frozen food storage container on the drain tank and attach the lid, and then from the steam generator. Frozen food storage in a downward flow via a steam inlet pipe
The steam introduced into the container is spread evenly in the space inside the lid.
Flows through the frozen food stored in the frozen food storage container
Then, the frozen food efficiently thawed, heated, between the frozen food
Exhaust the once-through steam from the drain tank with an exhaust pump
It In particular, by forming a space for vapor diffusion inside the lid, it is possible to evenly supply the vapor to the whole even if the frozen food is filled up to the opening edge of the container, and to thaw it evenly.
Heating can be performed.

Further, the lid is provided with a pressure detecting means, or the drain tank is provided with a temperature detecting means, and when the pressure in the lid and / or the temperature in the drain tank exceeds a predetermined value, the thawing and heating are finished. By configuring so that the introduction of steam is stopped, automatic operation becomes possible, and incomplete heating and waste of steam can be prevented.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, in FIG. 1, a defrosting device 1 for frozen foods.
Is a container 2 for storing frozen foods, which has an opening at the top and has pores 21 for discharging steam at the bottom, a lid 3 for introducing steam that is attached to the upper opening of the container 2, and the container 2 mounted thereon. It comprises a drain tank 4 for discharging steam to be placed, a steam generator 5 for supplying steam to the container 2, and an exhaust pump 6 for discharging steam in the container 2.

The container 2 for storing the frozen food is basically the same as a cooking pot which is usually used, and the vapor discharge pores 21 formed at the bottom of the container 2 are food to be stored inside. It is formed by round holes, slits, meshes, etc. of a size that does not allow A to pass through. Further, the container 2 is provided with a handle 22 for easy handling. The shape of the container 2 is not particularly limited, but an inverted conical shape with a slightly narrow bottom is preferable in that steam is evenly supplied to the food A. Furthermore, it is preferable to coat the inner surface of the container 2 so that the heated food can be easily taken out.

A space portion 31 for vapor diffusion is formed inside the lid 3, and a vapor introducing pipe 32 is connected to the upper portion of the space portion 31. The vapor introducing pipe 32 causes a downward flow to the container 2 Within
The steam introduced into the container is uniformly dispersed in the space 31 and
It flows through the frozen food A stored in 2 . The steam introducing pipe 32 is connected to the steam generator 5. The steam introducing pipe 32 is provided with a main valve 33, a control valve 34 including a solenoid valve, a drain separator 35, and a lid 3 A flexible pipe 36 is provided on the way to open and close the. On the other hand, a cover portion 37 that covers the opening edge of the container 2 is formed on the lower peripheral edge of the lid 3, and a packing 38 that keeps the space between the container 2 and the lid 3 airtight is attached.

A ring-shaped container mounting portion 41 for holding the bottom of the container 2 is formed on the upper part of the drain tank 4 in order to prevent the container 2 from falling, and the container 2 and the drain tank 4 are connected to each other. A packing 42 that keeps the space airtight is attached. At the bottom of this drain tank 4, frozen
An exhaust pipe 43 connected to the exhaust pump 6 for discharging the steam flowing between the foods A, a drain pipe 44 connected to the drain separator 35, and a drain pipe 45 for discharging drain water in the drain tank 4 from the bottom thereof. And are provided.

A general boiler or the like can be used as the steam generator 5, and the steam generator as described in the above publication may be used. Further, as the exhaust pump 6, a generally used one may be used, and any suitable one can be used depending on the size of the container 2, that is, the processing amount and other conditions.

The defroster 1 is constructed as described above, and the steam obtained from the steam generator 5 is fed from the upper part of the container 2 to the steam introduction pipe 3
It is introduced into the container 2 in a descending flow via 2 and is evenly distributed in the space 31.
Flow through the frozen food A stored in the container 2
The steam that has flowed between the frozen foods A is forcibly discharged by the exhaust pump 6 through the drain tank 4 at the bottom, so that the frozen foods A in the container 2 are supplied by the steam supplied from above. Since it is heated, the water (drain) produced by being cooled by the frozen food A can be forcibly discharged to the lower part. Therefore, it is possible to prevent excessive moisture from adhering to the frozen food A after heating, and since excessive moisture does not remain in the frozen food A , steam can be efficiently passed, and the frozen food A in the container 2 no full Amane throughout uniform thawing, heating can be performed in an extremely short time. Further, since the provided space 31 required for diffusion of vapor into the lid 3, also can be performed to introduce a uniform vapor while full in the container 2 at frozen food A, frozen food A
Stable thawing and heating can be performed regardless of the amount. Moreover, since the packings 38 and 42 are provided between the lid 3 and the container 2 and between the container 2 and the drain tank 4, respectively, it is possible to prevent leakage of steam, prevent waste of steam, and improve safety. Further, by providing the drain separator 35 as close as possible to the lid 3 of the vapor introducing pipe 32, it is possible to reduce the mixing of drain water into the container 2, which also prevents excessive adhesion of water.

Further, the lid 3 is provided with pressure detecting means 71, and the drain tank 4 is provided with temperature detecting means 72 in the vapor passage portion. The pressure detecting means 71 and the temperature detecting means 72 are provided as a safety measure or for detecting the end of heating of the food A by pressure or temperature. The pressure detecting means 71 controls the pressure inside the lid 3 to the controller 73. Then, the temperature detecting means 72 sends the temperature of the vapor passage portion of the drain tank 4 to the controller 73. And the lid 3
When the internal pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure, or the drain tank 4
Controller 7 when the temperature of the steam passage part of
3 is activated to close the control valve 34 and stop the introduction of steam.

The reason why the introduction of steam is stopped by detecting the pressure or temperature is as follows. Usually, frozen foods such as pilafs are individually frozen at about -20 ° C immediately after they are put into the container 2, so that steam flows between the foods.
To bur, softer according thawing, so deformed is compressed by the steam pressure from above, increased pressure in the container 2 vapor becomes Kuku <br/> to flow through, and gradually the container 2 and the lid 3 Steam comes out from between. Since it is not preferable for safety in a kitchen or the like to eject the steam in this manner, the pressure detecting means 71 is provided as described above to stop the introduction of the steam further. In addition, such an increase in pressure is effective as a means for detecting the end of heating because the food A is in a sufficiently thawed state. On the other hand, since the eating temperature of the food A is generally about 70 ° C., the temperature of the steam after flowing between the foods in the container 2 is measured, and the heating is terminated when the temperature reaches 70 ° C. or higher. , The introduction of steam is stopped to prevent harmful effects due to waste of steam or excessive heating. The detection of the end of heating by the pressure or temperature, the amount and properties of the food, for example, cooked rice such as pilaf,
Depending on whether it is noodles such as spaghetti or the like, the passages are not likely to be blocked even when the noodles are thawed, so it is more effective to detect the end of heating by the temperature of the steam passage portion of the drain tank 4.

The frozen food defrosting apparatus 1 of the present invention is
As shown in FIG. 2, the lid 3 is supported by a supporting device 8 so as to be movable up and down, and the supporting device 8 is controlled by the controller 73 or the like, whereby the frozen food is thawed and heated fully automatically. You can The support device 8 includes, for example, a support column 81,
A lid holding arm 82 can be slidably provided on 81, and can be constituted by a cylinder 83 for driving the arm 82 in the vertical direction, an electric motor, and a mechanical vertical movement mechanism. Further, the controller 73 is provided with a control circuit for controlling the supporting device 8 in addition to a control circuit connected to the detection means, and a heating control circuit such as a heating start switch, a timer, a heating stop switch, and a food A type and quantity setter and a buzzer to notify the end are provided.

In order to thaw and heat frozen food using the thaw device 1 thus constructed, first, the container 2 containing a desired amount of frozen food is placed on the drain tank 4 and heated. Turn on the start switch. As a result, the controller 73 is actuated, the cylinder 83 of the supporting device 8 is contracted to cover the opening of the container 2 with the lid 3, and the control valve 34 is opened to start the introduction of steam into the container 2. . At this time,
If the optimum heating time is set by a timer or a food type and quantity setting device, steam is introduced based on the set time, and frozen food is thawed and heated. Further, the end of the thawing and heating is indicated by the pressure detecting means 71.
Alternatively, when the temperature detection means 72 is used, the steam is introduced until either one of the detection means 71, 72 detects the end of heating. The timer and the detection means 7
It is also possible to use 1, 72 together. Further, even after the introduction of steam is stopped, the exhaust pump 6 is operated for a certain period of time to drain the steam in the container 2 and prevent excessive moisture from remaining in the food. Then, the lid 3 is lifted to complete one thawing and heating cycle.

Next, experimental examples and comparative examples in which frozen foods are thawed and heated will be described.

Experimental Example 1 The container 2 used was a commercial one-handed pan having an internal volume of 1 liter and an opening diameter of 15 cm, which was provided with a large number of small holes having a diameter of 3.2 mm (intervals of approximately 7.0 mm). 270 g (−20 ° C.) of frozen pilaf was put in the container 2, and steam supplied from a small commercial boiler was introduced into the container for 18 seconds. As a result, pilaf having a temperature of 70 to 80 ° C. was obtained as a whole. This pilaf can be eaten as it is, and there is no stickiness due to excessive water, so that the pilaf had a preferable finish.

Comparative Example 1 The same procedure as in Experimental Example 1 was repeated except that steam was introduced from the drain tank 4 side, passed through the container 2 in an upward flow, and discharged from the lid 3 side. The resulting pilaf was so sticky that water droplets dropped, and was not in a state where it could be eaten. In addition, there was uneven thawing, and the ingredients remained frozen.

Comparative Example 2 The same amount of frozen pilaf as in Experimental Example 1 was thawed and heated in a microwave oven, but a pilaf with a satisfactory finish could not be obtained even after 5 minutes or more.

Experimental Example 2 The same operation as in Experimental Example 1 was performed by filling the container 2 with a frozen pilaf, but there was no unevenness in thawing and heating.
It was possible to perform uniform thawing and heating.

Comparative Example 3 The same operation as in Experimental Example 2 was carried out except that a lid having no space was used, but thawing and heating were uneven.

Experimental Example 3 In Experimental Example 1, the lid 3 provided with the pressure detecting means 71 was used, and the end of heating was detected by the pressure detecting means 71. Approximately 20 seconds later, the pressure detecting means 71 detected an increase in pressure, so the introduction of steam was stopped. As a result, Experimental Example 1
A pilaf with the same finish as that obtained in step 1 was obtained.

Experimental Example 4 In Experimental Example 3, the temperature detecting means 72 is provided in the drain tank 4.
Is provided, and the end of heating is detected by the temperature detecting means 72. After about 14 seconds, the temperature detecting means 72 changes the temperature to 7
Since it was detected that the temperature exceeded 0 ° C, the introduction of steam was stopped. As a result, the same pilaf as that obtained in Experimental Example 1 was obtained.

Experimental Example 5 The same operation as in Experimental Example 1 was carried out except that 200 g (-20 ° C.) of frozen boiled spaghetti was placed in the container 2. As a result, spaghetti having a good finish, which was heated to 70 to 80 ° C., was obtained.

[0028]

As described above, the thaw apparatus for frozen foods according to the present invention uses the steam obtained from the steam generator for frozen foods.
Frozen food in a downward flow from the top of the storage container via the steam introduction pipe
It is introduced into the product storage container and spreads evenly in the space for vapor diffusion.
Flows through the frozen food stored in the frozen food storage container
Since the steam flowing between the frozen foods is configured to be discharged by the exhaust pump through the drain tank at the bottom ,
The steam that flows between the frozen foods can efficiently thaw and heat the frozen foods in an extremely short time. Moreover, stickiness due to excessive moisture does not occur and the finish is good. Moreover, a space for vapor diffusion was formed inside the lid.
This makes it possible to steam frozen food even if it reaches the opening edge of the container.
A uniform solution that can evenly supply energy to the whole
Can be frozen and heated.

Further, by providing a pressure detecting means on the lid and a temperature detecting means on the drain tank, thawing,
The end of heating can be automatically detected, the device can be fully automatically operated, steam can be prevented from being wasted, and safety can be improved.

Therefore, since foods with relatively large voids such as rose-shaped frozen cooked pilaf, rice cakes, fried noodles, and spaghetti can be provided in a short time and in a good finished state, they can be effectively used in various lunch facilities. Available and quick service possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Defroster 2 ... Container 21 ... Pores for steam discharge 3 ... Lid 31 ... Space for steam diffusion 32 ... Steam introduction pipe 34 ... Control valve 4 ... Drain tank 5 ... Steam generator 6 ... Exhaust pump 71 ... Pressure detecting means 72 ... Temperature detecting means 73 ... Controller 8 ... Supporting device

Claims (3)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A top opening, a frozen food container having pores of steam discharged to the bottom, a lid for steam introduction which is mounted on the upper opening of the frozen food container, the frozen food Osamu
And a drain tank for steam discharged for placing the accommodated container,
Said lid to continuously provided to Rutotomoni the steam generator through the steam inlet tube, the inside of the lid is accommodated in frozen food container
Forming a space for diffusing the steam flowing through the inter-frozen foods
And, steamed in the drain tank, which flows through the between the frozen food
A defrosting device for frozen foods, characterized in that an exhaust pump for discharging air is connected in series. 2. A steam introduction control means for providing pressure detection means to the lid and for stopping the introduction of steam from the steam generator by a signal from the pressure detection means when the pressure inside the lid exceeds a predetermined pressure. The frozen food defrosting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. The steam introducing means for providing temperature detection means to the drain tank, and stopping the introduction of the steam from the steam generator by a signal from the temperature detecting means when the inside of the drain tank exceeds a predetermined temperature. The frozen food defrosting device according to claim 1, further comprising a control means.