JPH10281621A - Cylindrical type flow freezing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a freezing equipment having high processing capability which can freeze foods within the minimum time efficiently by freezing individually floating and dropping the foods repeatedly regardless of the shapes and the weight of the foods to be frozen. SOLUTION: A freezing equipment comprises a freezing unit comprising a cooler 31 and a blower 33 inside a freezing chamber 1 surrounded by thermally insulated walls 2 and a freeze processing part freezing the particle form foods to be frozen by circulating cold wind from the freezing unit transferring them. The freeze processing part is provided with a cold air flowing space securely between an inner drum 12 having multiple ventilating holes on the peripheral wall and spiral guide plates 13 on the inner surface of it arranged rotatively inside a not rotating outer drum 11 connected to the cold air flowing pipe 34 from the freezing unit and the freezing equipment is installed longitudinally.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a freezing apparatus for rapidly freezing solid particles, such as food, in a state of being individually separated.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Today, all kinds of foods are infiltrated into ordinary households as frozen foods. Among them, mixed vegetables such as green peas, sliced carrots and corn, and frozen foods such as French fries and peeled shrimp (hereinafter referred to as frozen foods) (hereinafter referred to as frozen foods) are necessary when necessary. It is important that cooking can be done simply by dividing the amount, and if it is sold in a block-shaped frozen form, it is difficult for consumers to separate the amount necessary for cooking. Yes, and if they are separated in a frozen state, a part of the frozen food is lost or crushed, the original outer shape is lost, and the aesthetic appearance and flavor of the dish are greatly deteriorated. For this reason, frozen foods will significantly impair the commercial value if there is a part frozen in a block shape even in a part thereof, so when performing freeze processing on these frozen foods, do not freeze in a block shape, Completely frozen separately (hereinafter IQF.
(Individual Quick Freezin
g).

Conventionally, I.I. Q. F. As a typical means for carrying out the above, a fluidized bed freezing apparatus is used. In the fluidized bed freezing device, the frozen food transport unit is in the form of a horizontally long box,
It has a fluidized bed with many ventilation holes at the bottom of the box, and a freezing unit consisting of a cooler and a blower is installed below the fluidized bed, and cool air around minus 35 degrees is blown up on the fluidized bed and put on the fluidized bed. By repeatedly floating and falling the individual solid-free food products in the form of solid particles by wind pressure, cold air is evenly passed, heat is exchanged uniformly and frozen, and freezing in the form of blocks is prevented. Also,
Since the frozen food in the form of solid particles that floats and moves freely has fluidity, the fluidized bed is installed with a slight inclination and vibration is applied to transport the frozen food to the frozen food delivery port. The freezing process time is adjusted by changing the inclination angle or changing the height of a weir provided in the vicinity of the frozen food carry-out port.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional fluidized-bed freezing apparatus, if the food to be frozen is relatively small and light, it can be used without any problem. Q. F. However, depending on the shape, weight, etc. of the food to be frozen, even if the cold air is blown up from below the fluidized bed, it cannot be floated individually, so it freezes in a block shape while remaining on the fluidized bed. And
I. Q. F. There is a disadvantage that cannot be performed. Furthermore, since the movement of the frozen food also uses the liquidity of the frozen food that has surfaced and does not force it to move,
On the fluidized bed, the frozen food to be frozen in a block shape is generated, so that the frozen food cannot be smoothly moved toward the frozen food carry-out port, and there is a disadvantage that efficient freezing cannot be performed.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks, and has been made by repeatedly floating and falling independently of the shape and weight of the food to be frozen. . Q. F. An object of the present invention is to provide a freezing apparatus capable of performing a freezing process on a food to be frozen in a minimum necessary time and improving a processing ability.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a freezing unit comprising a cooler and a blower in a freezing chamber surrounded by a heat insulating wall, and cooling air from the freezing unit while transferring solid particulate food to be frozen. In a freezing device having a freezing processing unit that freezes by circulating wind, in the non-rotating outer drum connected to the freezing processing unit by a cool air ventilation pipe from the freezing unit, has a number of ventilation holes in the peripheral wall, A cylinder characterized in that an inner drum provided with a spiral guide plate on the inner surface is rotatably arranged with a cool air ventilation space secured between the inner drum and the outer drum, and this is installed in a horizontally long direction. The gist is a fluidized freezing device.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND

【Example】

(Embodiment 1) Next, Embodiment 1 of a cylindrical fluidized freezing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a cylindrical fluidized freezing apparatus embodying the present invention, and FIG. FIG.
2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 3, and FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG.

In the figure, (1) is a freezing chamber formed by a heat insulating wall (2), and an outer drum (11) and an inner drum (12) are formed by a freezing chamber.
It is installed at a distance from the bottom of (1) and has a freezing room (1)
The end of the carry-in conveyor (4) for carrying the food to be frozen (F) from the outside of the inner drum (12) to the inner drum (12), and the start of the carry-out conveyor (5) for carrying out the frozen matter from the inner drum (12). Insulation wall
(2) penetrates into the freezing chamber (1). The carry-in conveyor (4) is connected to the inner drum from outside the freezing chamber (1).
(12) extends substantially toward the center of the inner drum (12).
2) Supply frozen food (F). The unloading conveyor
(5) is installed so that the frozen food coming out of the inner drum (12) after being frozen is received by the hopper (6) and then carried out of the freezing chamber (1).

The outer drum (11) is a hollow cylinder made of a stainless steel plate and having a diameter of 1300 mm. It is installed and fixed on a stand (27). The outer drum (11)
Inside there is an inner drum (12) with a diameter of 1000 mm made of stainless steel punching metal and a diameter of 3 mm on the peripheral wall.
Are formed at intervals of 7 mm along the length and the periphery (see FIG. 3), and the inner drum (12) has an inner wall surface having a blade height of 100 mm, a pitch of 600 mm, and stainless steel. The ribbon-shaped screw blade-shaped guide plate (13) is continuously continuous from a position slightly inside the frozen food carrying port (24) of the inner drum (12) to the frozen food carrying port (25). And is fixed to the inner wall of the inner drum (12) by welding means.

At the center of the inner drum (12), an inner drum penetration space (14) is formed from the frozen material carry-in port (24) to the frozen food carry-out port (25). Drum (1
2) has a length protruding from both ends of the outer drum (11), and an inner drum supporting bush (26) made of nylon with flange end faces (11a) formed inward at both ends of the outer drum (11). It is rotatably supported coaxially with the outer drum (11).

Two sets of rubber rollers supported in parallel at regular intervals below both ends where the inner drum (12) protrudes from the outer drum (11) are parallel to the center axis of the inner drum (12). A driving rubber roller (17), which is in contact with the outer surface of the inner drum (12) and is supported by the support column (15) on the side of the frozen food carry-in port (24), is a stepless speed change motor (16). The driving force is transmitted from the driven food roller, and the driven-side rubber roller on the side of the frozen food carry-out port (25) is
(20) is rotatably supported by the support column (19). When the driving rubber rollers (17) rotate in the same direction at a very low speed, the inner drum (12) is rotated coaxially with the outer drum (11) by about 0.7 rotation per minute in the direction of the arrow (R). Rotate at a very slow speed.

At the lower part of the outer drum (11), a cool air ventilation pipe is provided.
The outer drum (11) is provided with a chamber (18) that is long in the longitudinal direction of the outer drum (11) so that cold air pumped from (34) can be uniformly supplied into the inner drum (12). A cooler circulating device comprising a cooler (31), a blower (33) and a cool air duct (32) is disposed adjacent to the blower (33) and the chamber (18).
Means that the cold air flows through the cold air ventilation pipe (34) to the chamber (1).
It is connected so that it is introduced into the side of 8) and then supplied to the cool air ventilation space (S).

The supplied cold air is supplied to the inner drum (12).
Is dispersed into the inner drum (12) from the vent hole (12a) formed in the inner drum (12), and is blown vigorously by the pressure difference, thereby
After the food to be frozen inside is floated and frozen by the heat exchange action, it is discharged into the freezing chamber (1) from the openings at both ends through the inner drum penetration space (14), and the cool air is cooled by the cooler (31). ) And is discharged from the blower (33) again and circulated.

In the first embodiment, the cooler (31) and the blower (33) are installed adjacent to the outer drum (11). However, when it is necessary to reduce the occupied floor area due to the installation space or the like. The cooler (31) and the blower (33) may be installed above or below the outer drum, and the installation inclination angle of the outer drum is fixed at 5 degrees, but is not limited thereto. It may be changed as needed, including horizontal installation.

Further, in order to make it possible to change the installation angle at any time, the outer drum (11), the drum support (27), the support pillar (19) of the rubber roller and the like are supported by a height adjusting device or the like to adjust the inclination angle. It is installed on an adjustable drum mounting table (not shown), and the cold air ventilation pipe (34) and the chamber (18) may be flexibly piped through a flexible pipe, or a cooler (31). ),
By installing the blower (33) and the like on the same drum mounting table as the outer drum (11) and the like, the installation angle may be changed at any time.

The means for rotating the inner drum (12) is not limited to the above-described means using the driving rubber roller (17), but may be a gear or rubber band on the periphery near the end of the inner drum (12). Body (not shown), and a pinion gear installed so as to mesh with the gear or the rubber band,
You may use the rotation transmission drive means which drives and rotates using a continuously variable transmission motor etc.

In the cylindrical flow freezing apparatus according to the first embodiment, the freezing process is performed in the following process. That is, the cool air blown by being pressurized into the cool air ventilation space (S) is passed through the ventilation holes (12a) formed on the peripheral surface of the inner drum (12) from above, below, right and left inside the inner drum (12). Since the blown food is blown into the inner drum (12), the frozen food (F) that has been conveyed inside by the rotation of the inner drum (12) undergoes heat exchange while repeatedly floating and falling apart due to the wind pressure of the cool air. Performed I. Q. F. Progresses. Further, even when the frozen food (F) which freezes in a block shape and cannot float due to the rotation of the inner drum (12) at a low speed occurs, the frozen food (F) gradually rises together with the inner wall of the inner drum (12). When it reaches a certain height, it falls due to the action of gravity in addition to the wind pressure of the cool air and collides with the inner wall of the inner drum (12) to divide the frozen block into pieces.
By this repetition, a two-stage stirring action is performed, so that the frozen food (F) is surely subjected to I.V. Q. F. It can be performed.

After the freezing process is completed, washing of the freezing portion can be easily performed by spraying washing water through a washing water pipe (7) with a spray nozzle provided above the cool air ventilation space (S). . That is, the washing water is spread not only outside but also inside the inner drum (12) by spraying the washing water from above while rotating the inner drum (12).
(12) The outside and inside are washed, and unnecessary substances such as fragments of the frozen food (F) are poured down to the bottom of the chamber (18). Further, a drain port is provided on the bottom surface of the chamber (18), and water and unnecessary substances that have been washed by a water pipe installed in the drain port are stored in a freezing chamber.
(1) It is discharged outside. By the above means, the freezing processing part can be washed without trouble, not only keeping the freezing processing part clean, but also transferring color and smell even when changing the type of frozen food (F). The freezing process can be performed without any need.

(Embodiment 2) As shown in FIG.
In the inner drum (12), a guide plate (13) is provided on the inner wall of the inner drum (12) at an angle of 90 degrees or less with respect to the rotation direction of the inner drum (12) as a scooping plate to assist the above stirring action. A scooping plate member (21a) having a length of about 1/2 of the pitch is attached so as to abut against the front surface of (2). This allows frozen food (F)
Can be transported to a high position by the rotation of the inner drum (12), and the food to be frozen (F) that has started to agitate and block freeze due to dropping from the high position can be effectively performed.

The scooping plate is made of stainless steel, but may be resin, synthetic rubber, or the like which can be used at a low temperature. The shape of the scooping plate is not limited to a flat plate, and a plurality of projections may be attached. Further, the scooping plate may be formed on the guide plate (13) surface, and in this case, similarly, the inner drum (1
Attach a plate member or a similar protrusion at a plurality of positions at an angle of 90 degrees or less with respect to the rotation direction of 2).

(Embodiment 3) As shown in FIG. 5, a part of the guide plate (13) is cut and bent to form the scooping plate portion (21b).

On the top of the guide plate (13), a separate plate member is angled with respect to the guide plate (13) in order to adjust the floating of the frozen food (F) and the circulation of cool air. Alternatively, the end of the guide plate (13) may be deformed to form a flap shape (not shown).

Regarding the installation of the scooping plate, the frozen food (F) is not sufficiently frozen at the beginning of the freezing process and the mechanical strength is generally low, so that the inner drum (12) is located near the entrance of the frozen food (24). When the scooping plate is formed, the collision and the compressing action of the frozen foods (F) increase, and there is a possibility that the deformation and damage of the frozen foods (F) may be increased. It is preferable that the scooping plate is not formed in the vicinity of 24) but formed from the middle of the inner drum (12) where the freezing proceeds to the frozen food carry-out port (25).

Further, according to any of the above means,
If a large number of scooping plates are formed, the shape is complicated, or if the number of protrusions increases due to the mounting means, the frozen food (F) may be damaged or deformed during the freezing process, or a cylindrical floating freezing apparatus may be used. Since it is conceivable that the number of operations is increased in the cleaning work after the end of the operation, it is preferable that the number to be formed be kept to a minimum and an attachment means such as a welding means with few projections is selected.

(Embodiment 4) In the cylindrical freezing apparatus described in Embodiments 1 and 2, the lowermost portion of the outer drum (11)
The chamber (18) is formed, and cool air from a duct (34) piped to the chamber (18) is blown from the bottom of the inner drum (12) and flows through the cool air ventilation space (S). The air is blown from a vent hole (12a) formed on the peripheral surface of the inner drum (12), but the wind pressure differs depending on the portion of the inner drum (12). The wind pressure is low in the part far from

Since the wind pressure varies depending on the diameter of the vent hole (12a), the output of the blower (33), etc., the relatively small blower (33) is used for the frozen food (F). The frozen food only by floating air from below,
(F), as shown in FIG. 6, the distance between the outer drum (11) and the inner drum (12) is reduced, and a baffle plate (23) for restricting the flow of cool air is attached to the outer drum (11). ) Installed on the inner wall in parallel with the axis of the inner drum (12).

By installing the baffle plate (23), it is difficult for the cool air blown into the ventilation space to escape upward and the downward wind pressure is relatively increased, so that the frozen food (F) can float. In this case as well, the frozen food (F) can be repeatedly floated and dropped by the wind pressure of the cold air while repeating the I.F. Q. F. Progresses.

Further, since the inner drum (12) is rotating at a low speed, the frozen food (F) which is frozen in a block shape and cannot float is gradually lifted upward together with the inner wall of the inner drum (12). When it reaches a certain height, it falls due to the action of gravity in addition to the wind pressure of cold air, collides with the inner wall of the inner drum (12), and the block-shaped frozen part is divided apart, and this repetition causes a two-stage stirring action. Is performed, so that I.I. Q. F. It can be performed.

(Embodiment 5) The inner drum (12) is indicated by an arrow (R).
The frozen food (F) placed on the inner wall of the inner drum (12) is slightly unevenly distributed due to the rotation in the direction of rotation of the inner drum (12). As the food (F) becomes more unevenly distributed,
As shown in the figure, rather than blowing from just below the inner drum (12),
If air is blown from the slightly offset position through the chamber (18), the frozen food (F) can be efficiently floated.

[0030]

As described above, the inner drum having a large number of vent holes on its surface is rotatably supported inside the outer drum installed in the freezing chamber, and the inner drum has a guide on the inner wall. The plate is formed in a spiral shape, and the inner drum is rotated by the driving means to convey the fed frozen food, and the cool air pressure-fed from a freezing unit including a cooler and a blower adjacent to the outer drum. From below the outer drum, blow into the cool air ventilation space, discharge cold air from both ends of the inner drum through the inner drum penetration space, and let the freezing unit suck again, so that it is thrown into the inner drum, The frozen food conveyed inside by the rotation of the inner drum floats and falls apart by the wind pressure of the cool air blown from the air holes formed on the peripheral surface of the inner drum. Performs heat exchange while repeating, I.
Q. F. As the food advances, frozen foods that cannot be lifted by the wind pressure are also gradually lifted upward together with the inner drum inner wall as the inner drum rotates, and when it reaches a certain height, it falls by the action of gravity in addition to the wind pressure and agitates. Can be individually lifted and dropped regardless of the shape and weight of the food to be frozen. Q. F. It can be performed.

Further, since all the frozen foods rise and fall individually, it is possible to smoothly pass the cold air, not only to exhibit a high cooling efficiency, but also to rotate the inner drum, thereby rotating the inner drum inner wall. Since the spiral guide plate formed in the step (1) reliably transports the food to be frozen in the set processing time, it is possible to perform necessary and sufficient freezing processing on the food to be frozen, and to provide a freezing apparatus having a high processing capability. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a cylindrical flow freezing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a drum portion of a cylindrical fluidized-freezing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a drum unit of a cylindrical fluidized-bed freezing apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a drum portion of a cylindrical fluidized-bed freezing apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a drum portion of a cylindrical fluidized-bed freezing apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of a frozen food transporting section of a conventional fluidized bed freezing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Freezing chamber (2) Insulated wall (11) Outer drum (12) Inner drum (12a) Vent (13) Guide plate (14) Inner drum penetration space (23) Baffle plate (31) Cooler (33) Blower (34) Cool air vent (34a) Cool air outlet (S) Cool air vent (F) Food to be frozen

Claims (3)

[Claims] [Claim 1] In a freezing room (1) surrounded by a heat insulating wall (2),
A freezing apparatus comprising: a freezing unit including a cooler (31) and a blower (33); and a freezing processing unit that freezes the frozen food (F) in the form of solid particles while being cooled by circulating cool air from the freezing unit. In the non-rotating outer drum (11) in which the freezing processing section is connected by a cool air ventilation pipe (34) from the freezing unit, a number of ventilation holes (12a) are provided in the peripheral wall, and a spiral shape is formed on the inner surface. The inner drum (12) with the guide plate (13) is rotatably arranged with a cool air ventilation space (S) between it and the outer drum (11). A cylindrical flow freezing device characterized by the following. 2. A baffle plate (23) is formed around a cool air outlet (34a) formed in the inner wall of the outer drum (11) to form a cool air ventilation space.
2. The cylindrical flow freezing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circulation of the cool air to (S) is restricted, and the wind pressure near the cool air outlet (34a) is increased. 3. On the inner wall or guide plate (13) of the inner drum (12),
3. A cylindrical fluidized freezing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a scooping plate is formed on both of them for effectively stirring the frozen food (F).