JPH09240744A - Storage method for rice, and rice storage container - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To preserve rice for a long period of time without spoiling the taste. SOLUTION: Rice is housed in a container which is constituted in such a manner that a sealed state is kept, and the container does not deform even when the inside is vacuumized, and the inside of the container is placed under a state of a low oxygen concentration by a vacuumizing operation. At the same time, the rice being housed is preserved under a state not being restrained. Also, the storage container is constituted by being equipped with a container 1 which houses rice to be preserved inside, a cover part 2 which covers the opening of the container, a sealing means 3 which seals between the container and the cover, and an air purging means 4 to provide a state of low oxygen concentration by vacuumizing the inside of the container.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rice storage method and a rice storage container capable of storing rice or grains for a relatively long period of time while maintaining their taste.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In Japanese dietary life, rice is a staple food, and there is a strong desire to always eat delicious rice. As for rice, it is said that fresh rice, which is produced at a time after harvest, is delicious, and its taste (taste) is impaired over time, and old rice is not liked by consumers.

Up to now, low temperature studies have been conducted on long-term storage of large amounts of rice in warehouses and the like. However, little research has been done to store relatively small amounts of rice in ordinary households for a relatively long period of time while maintaining the taste. Since foods with high water content such as vegetables and fruits undergo significant deterioration or deterioration of quality over time, storage technology at low temperature has been developed, and storage at low temperature is effective for long-term storage of rice. It is said that this method is used for low temperature preservation in some cases.

[0004]

However, as in the past, rice stored in a natural state or at a low temperature for a long period of time gradually loses its life phenomenon due to the passage of time and has a fat content. Oxidation progresses and has a bad influence on the taste. Here, the present invention provides a method for preserving rice and a container for preserving rice capable of maintaining the same level of taste as fresh rice all year round without impairing the taste of the rice in a general household for a long period of time. To aim.

[0005]

The method for preserving rice according to the present invention which achieves the above-mentioned object is to store rice in a container which is constructed so as to maintain a closed state and not deform even if the inside pressure is reduced. The inside of the container is depressurized to reduce the oxygen concentration, and the stored rice is stored without being restrained.

Further, the rice storage container according to the present invention comprises a container for containing rice to be stored therein, a cover portion for covering the opening of the container, and a sealing means for sealing between the container and the cover. The container is provided with an air venting means for decompressing the inside of the container so that the oxygen concentration is low. After the rice is stored in the container, the cover is covered to seal the inside of the container, and the air inside the container is discharged by the air venting means. The inside of the container is kept at a low oxygen concentration, and the rice contained in the container can be stored without being restrained.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION When rice is stored at room temperature or low temperature for a long period of time, the cause of the deterioration of the eating quality is not yet exactly understood, but the life phenomenon of rice gradually disappears, It is presumed that the factors are the progress of fat oxidation and the growth of mold and bacteria on rice grains.

[0008] The composition of brown rice consists of pericarp, seed coat, starch layer, endosperm and embryo, the proportion of which is 5 to 6% for pericarp and seed coat,
2-3% of embryo, 91-92% of starch layer and endosperm. The pericarp consists of cuticle layer, epidermis, mesothelium, structured cells, and tubular cells, and its function is to adjust the water content of the embryo and endosperm to an appropriate water state and prevent the entry of pathogenic bacteria into the interior. .

The mesothelial cells constituting the pericarp seem to have chlorophyll in an immature state, and disappear as it is fully ripe to show a ripe color. Since this can be regarded as a kind of aging phenomenon, it was thought that by suppressing the respiratory action, maturity can be stopped, aging can be prevented, and freshness can be maintained. Therefore, the present inventors
Regarding the method of storing rice, the rice is stored in a container that is kept closed and does not deform even if the inside is depressurized, and the inside of the container is depressurized to reduce the oxygen concentration and stored. I found a way to store the rice in an unrestrained state.

Here, the state of low oxygen concentration includes a vacuum state, but it is difficult to easily create a vacuum state and maintain it for a long period of time, and practically enough oxygen to stop the maturation described above. Any concentration will do. It has been found suitable to maintain a low oxygen concentration, preferably of the order of 1-7%. It was also found that maintaining the rice in an unrestrained state is effective in reducing damage to brown rice.

According to such a method for storing rice, the respiratory action of rice can be suppressed, the oxidation of fat in rice can be prevented, and the harmful insects attached to rice (eg, elephantial worm, Unagasinchu insect, etc.) It was possible to effectively prevent the development of bacteria, mold, etc., and as a result, the taste of rice could be maintained for a long period of time. By the way, a taste test was conducted on rice that had been stored for 12 months under a low oxygen concentration of about 1 to 7% (it is difficult to maintain the same oxygen concentration for a long period of time). As a result, a good result was obtained in the comprehensive evaluation.

By using the preservation method according to the present invention together with the already known low temperature preservation, further long term preservation is possible. FIG. 1 is a configuration perspective view showing an example of a rice storage container for realizing the storage method according to the present invention in a general household. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a container for containing rice to be preserved, which is made of, for example, a reinforced plastic material. Reference numeral 11 denotes a thick portion formed on the side surface of the container 1 for preventing the shape from being deformed even when the inside of the container is substantially in a vacuum state. When the strength is sufficient depending on the shape, size and material of the container. Not necessarily required.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a cover portion that covers the opening (upper portion in this example) of the container 1, and is made of, for example, a reinforced plastic material. The cover portion 2 also has a thick portion 21 for preventing the shape from being deformed even when the inside of the container is in a substantially vacuum state. Further, at least a part of the cover portion 2 is transparent so that the state of the rice contained in the container can be seen.

Reference numeral 3 is a sealing means for sealing (sealing) between the container 1 and the cover portion 2. 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views of a main part showing an example of the sealing means 2. FIG.
In the above, the sealing means is constituted by a concave portion 31 which is fitted to the side wall of the container in a portion around the cover portion 2 facing the container 1 side. Since the concave portion can be formed integrally with the shape of the cover portion, the structure is simple. However, the mounting of the cover part 2 on the container 1 is somewhat troublesome.

In FIG. 3, a seal member 32 having a structure different from that of the cover unit 2 is arranged around the cover unit 2. For long-term use, only the sealing member 32 can be replaced, and the cover portion 2 for the container 1
It has features such as easy installation. Returning to FIG. 1, 4 is an air venting means for venting the air in the container 1. In this embodiment, a pump structure used by being attached to the cover portion 2 is shown. The air venting means 4 of the pump structure is
The air in the container 1 is made integral with or separable from the cover part 2 through a valve (a one-way valve communicating from the inside of the container to the outside of the container) provided in the cover part 2. It can be pulled out.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the construction of the main part of an example of the air venting means. Here, an example is shown in which the pump 4A side is separable from the valve 4B provided on the cover 2. In the pump 4 </ b> A, 41 is a cylindrical pump cylinder (cylinder), 42 is a valve seat that is reciprocally fitted in the cylinder, and a ring-shaped seal member 43 is provided at a portion in contact with the inner peripheral side surface of the pump cylinder 41. Is provided. The valve seat 42 is connected to a piston rod 44 provided with a handle 40 (see FIG. 1), and is configured to reciprocate the piston rod 44 to function as a pump.

Here, when the piston rod 44 is pulled in the direction of arrow a to evacuate the air inside the container 1, the ring-shaped seal member 43 makes pressure contact with the inner peripheral side surface of the cylinder 41 to maintain airtightness, When pressing in the direction of arrow b, the seal member 43
Is operated so that the air in the pump cylinder is released to the outside. On the side of the valve 4B provided on the cover 2,
Reference numeral 22 denotes a flange portion raised around a hole (opening portion) provided in the cover portion 2, reference numeral 51 denotes a ring-shaped sealing member fitted so as to be in close contact with the periphery of the flange portion 52, 52
Is a closing plug portion mounted so as to close a hole provided in the cover portion 2 via a seal member 51, and a concave portion 53 is formed in the center thereof. The bottom plate of the recess 53 is provided with a through hole 54 communicating with the inside of the container 1.

Reference numeral 56 is an umbrella-shaped valve seat plate arranged so as to close the through hole 54, and a part of the valve seat plate penetrates the bottom plate of the recess 53 to lock the valve seat plate 56 to the bottom plate. It is 57. Reference numeral 60 denotes a depressurizing release pressing member disposed in the recess 53, and the operating shaft is coupled to the vicinity of the center of the valve seat plate 56. By pressing this pressing member, the peripheral edge of the valve seat plate 56 is rolled. It is configured so that the closed state of the through hole 54 can be released by going up.

With respect to the storage container thus constructed,
How to use it will be described below. First, the cover portion 2 of the container 1 is removed and the rice to be stored is placed inside the container. Considering the amount of rice stored in general households, the capacity of the container 1 is selected such that at least about 10 kg is sufficiently stored and a space is secured above the container so that the rice is not restrained. Shall be done.

Next, the cover 2 is put on the opening of the container 1 to bring it into a close contact state. Then, an operation for reducing the pressure inside the container to a substantially vacuum state is performed. That is, the cylinder portion 41 of the pump 4A serving as the air venting means 4 is replaced with the valve 4 of the cover portion 2.
The blocking plug portion 52 forming B is covered as shown by the broken line, and the handle 40 is operated in that state. Here, when the piston rod 44 is pulled in the direction of arrow a to move the valve seat 42 in the direction of arrow a, the peripheral portion of the valve seat plate 56 is rolled up to open the through hole 54, and the air inside the container is opened through the through hole. It is gradually pulled out through 54. When the piston rod 44 is pressed and moved in the direction of arrow b, the valve seat plate 56 closes the through hole 54 and discharges the air flowing into the pump cylinder 41 to the outside via the seal member 43.

Thereafter, the piston rod 44 is similarly moved to the arrow a.
By repeatedly reciprocating in the direction of arrow b,
It is possible to know that the air in the container 1 is gradually discharged to the outside, the handle operation gradually becomes heavier, and finally the handle operation cannot be performed, and the inside of the container 1 is depressurized to a substantially vacuum state. The inside of the container 1 is almost vacuum,
That is, when the oxygen concentration is low, the pump 4A side is separated from the cover portion 2 and the rice storage state is entered.

In this storage state, the rice contained in the container 1 is in a state of being restrained even though it is placed in a state of low oxygen concentration, which does not damage the rice and suppresses the respiratory action which is a factor of the aging phenomenon. can do. Therefore, freshness can be maintained for a long period of time. In addition, when taking out the stored rice from the container 1,
The cover 2 is opened after releasing the depressurized state inside the container. The operation for releasing the reduced pressure is performed by pushing the pressing member 60 for releasing the reduced pressure on the valve portion 4B side. That is, when the pressing member 60 is pushed, the peripheral portion of the valve seat plate 56 is rolled up to release the closed state of the through hole 54,
Air flows into the container 1. As a result, the depressurized state inside the container is released, and the cover portion 2 can be easily separated from the container 1 side.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the air venting means is provided with a one-way valve communicating from the inside to the outside of the container, and an operation handle for venting the air inside the container via this valve. It is composed of a provided pump,
A configuration without a pump may be used. That is, for example, the cover portion 2 is deformed to the inside of the container 1 by applying a force from the outside, and has an elastic force that returns to the original state when no force is applied. The air in the container 1 may be discharged by repeatedly deforming the part 2 and returning it. The inside of the container can be easily put into a substantially vacuum state without the need for a pump.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the construction of the main part of another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a vacuum sensor 7 is provided on a part of the container 1 or the cover part 2 to indicate a reduced pressure inside the container. Further, in order to make the seal between the container 1 and the cover portion 2 stronger, a tightening means 8 is provided between them. FIG. 6 shows a vacuum sensor 7
It is a structure sectional view of the important section showing an example.

In the figure, reference numeral 70 denotes a holder provided inside the cover portion 2 and having a communication hole 71 communicating with the inside of the container 1. Reference numeral 72 denotes a deformable bag body (for example, a balloon-like body) in which a gas having a predetermined pressure is enclosed, which is housed in the holder 70 and whose shape can be observed from the outside of the cover portion 2. There is. The bag 72 has a shape corresponding to the difference between the pressure of the gas enclosed inside and the pressure inside the container. That is, when the inside of the container 1 is depressurized to a substantially vacuum state, the shape of the bag body 72 gradually expands, as shown by the broken line,
The shape is such that the inside of the holder 70 is expanded until it is full.
On the other hand, when the pressure in the container reaches the atmospheric pressure, the shape becomes deflated. Therefore, the depressurized state inside the container can be roughly known from the deformed state of the bag body 72. According to this embodiment, the shape of the vacuum sensor 7 is occasionally observed during long-term storage, and when it is in a deflated state, the reduced pressure operation is immediately repeated to maintain the reduced pressure state. It becomes possible to do.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the pressing member 60 for releasing the reduced pressure is provided so that the cover portion 2 can be easily removed. However, a sealing function is provided between the cover portion 2 and the container 1. If a mechanism for releasing the pressure is provided or a handle function for mechanically removing the cover portion 2 from the container 1 side is provided, the pressure reducing release pressing member is not necessarily required.

The cover 2 may be constructed so that it can be sealed on the container 1 side by a mechanical means such as a fastening member.

[0028]

As described in detail above, according to the method for preserving rice of the present invention, rice can be preserved for a long period of time without impairing its taste, and has the same taste as fresh rice all year round. You can get rice at home. In addition, the rice storage container according to the present invention has a simple structure and does not use electricity or chemicals.
Rice can be preserved inexpensively and safely without sacrificing taste.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration perspective view showing an example of a storage container for realizing a storage method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing an example of a sealing means 2.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing an example of a sealing means 2.

FIG. 4 is a configuration cross-sectional view of a main part showing an example of air venting means.

FIG. 5 is a configuration perspective view of a main part showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration cross-sectional view of a main part showing an example of a vacuum sensor 7.

[Explanation of reference numerals] 1 container 11 thick part 2 cover part 3 sealing means 4 air venting means

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Keiichi Miyazaki 2-932 Nakamachi, Musashino City, Tokyo Inside Yokogawa Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Naoki Hashimoto 2-932 Nakamachi, Musashino City, Tokyo Yokogawa Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masanori Noguchi 2-932 Nakamachi, Musashino-shi, Tokyo Yokogawa Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kihei Imaho 2-4-12 Kohokumachi, Muroran-shi, Hokkaido Stock Company Now in the group

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. Rice is housed in a container configured to maintain a closed state and not deformed even when the inside pressure is reduced, and the inside of the container is depressurized to have a low oxygen concentration, and
A method of storing rice that stores the stored rice in an unconstrained state. 2. A container for containing rice to be preserved therein, a cover portion for covering the opening of the container, a sealing means for sealing between the container and the cover, and decompressing the inside of the container to reduce the oxygen concentration. Equipped with air bleeding means to keep it in a low state, after covering rice inside the vessel and covering the cover part to seal the inside of the vessel, the air bleeding means bleeds the air inside the vessel to keep the inside of the vessel at a low oxygen concentration In addition, a rice storage container that can store the rice contained in the container without restraining it. 3. The air bleeding means is constituted by a unidirectional valve communicating from the inside to the outside of the container, and a pump having an operation handle for bleeding the air inside the container via the valve. Rice storage container. 4. The air bleeding means comprises a one-way valve communicating from the inside to the outside of the container and a cover portion formed so as to be deformed by applying a force from the outside and return to the original state when the force is removed. The container for storing rice according to claim 2, which is constructed. 5. The container for storing rice according to claim 2, wherein a vacuum sensor for indicating a depressurized state inside the container is provided on a part of the container or the cover. 6. The vacuum degree sensor is composed of a deformable bag body in which a gas of a predetermined pressure is sealed, and the depressurized state inside the container can be known by the deformed state of the bag body. Rice storage container.