JPH11155540A - Food storage chamber - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a food storage chamber, capable of realizing prevention of deterioration of food without depending on lowering of a temperature in the chamber. SOLUTION: This food storage chamber having a storage chamber body 1 for storing foods has an ion generator 3 for supplying negative ion in the storage chamber body 1 and a pair of electrodes 21a and 22a to which direct current voltage is applied and an anode 21a among each electrode 21a and 22a is arranged on food housing side and a cathode 22a is arranged at a prescribed interval. Thereby, minus ion (O2 <-> and CO4 <-> ) is fed to the storage chamber body 1 from the ion generator 3 and the minus ion is sucked to the anode side, namely a food housing side in electrodes. Then, bacteria, etc., which float in the circumference of the food and bacteria, etc., attached to foods are sterilized by the minus ion and deterioration of foods due to oxidation is suppressed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a general household or business-use food storage for preventing deterioration of food quality.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, causes of food deterioration include decomposition by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi, chemical effects such as oxidation, and physical effects such as drying. As a means for suppressing such an effect of food deterioration, cooling of food is an effective means. That is, the decomposing action by microorganisms is considerably slowed down by lowering the temperature to about 0 ° C.
Even when pasteurization, mold, or yeast resistant to low temperatures is carried out at -10 ° C or lower, the decomposition action is almost stopped, and the reaction rate is lowered by lowering the chemical action, whereby food deterioration can be slowed.

[0003] For such reasons, when food is generally stored, a cooling means, generally a cooling device using a chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant, is mounted in the food storage, thereby suppressing food deterioration.

[0004]

In recent years, food contamination by O-157 and the like has become a social problem in terms of epidemics prevention. In order to suppress the propagation of these bacteria, the temperature range of the food storage is further reduced. The situation has to be shifted to the side. On the other hand, when the temperature range is shifted to the lower temperature side, the cooling energy is increased by that amount, and there is a problem that the energy consumption is reversed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a food storage which can prevent the deterioration of food without depending on the low temperature inside the food in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a food storage having a storage main body for storing food, wherein negative ions are supplied into the storage main body. It has a negative ion generating means and a pair of electrodes to which a DC voltage is applied. The anode is arranged on the food storage side of each electrode, and the cathode is arranged with a predetermined gap from the anode.

According to this invention, the negative ion generating means is driven, and a DC voltage is applied to each electrode. Accordingly, negative ions in the storage cabinet body from the negative ion generating means _{^{(O 2 -, C0 4 -}} ) is supplied, the negative ions are attracted anode side of the electrode, i.e., the food storage side. This allows
Bacteria floating around the food or bacteria adhering to the food are sterilized by negative ions, and oxidative deterioration of the food is suppressed.

To explain the bactericidal action, for example, oxygen (O ₂ ⁻ ) ionized negatively acts on the energy metabolism system (electron transfer system) of the microorganism, causing physiological disorders in the microorganism and inhibiting the growth. This sterilizes microorganisms and the like. In addition, to explain the oxidative alteration, the negative ion is an electron donor in a broad sense and has a reducing action, so that it exerts an action of suppressing oxidative alteration of food.

[0009] In addition, ethylene gas generated during storage of vegetables and the like is decomposed by the negative ions by the supply of the negative ions, and the ripening of the vegetables can be delayed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the food storage of the first aspect, heat exchange means for cooling or heating the inside of the storage main body is arranged. Thereby, it becomes suitable for preservation of cooled foods or warmed foods.

In the invention of claim 7, a humidifying means for supplying fine particles or vapor of liquid such as water is provided. Accordingly, negative ions _{^{(O 2 -, C0 4 -}} ) and bound water, O ₂ ^- ·
(H ₂ O) _n and _{^{C0 4 - · (H 2 O}} ) n are generated, thereby preventing the drying of the food, these negative ion particles are attracted to the food storage side, efficiently food sterilization, etc. be able to.

[0012] When a liquid having antibacterial or bactericidal properties is used as the liquid for the humidifying means, the bactericidal action of the food is further improved. Further, when the cooling means is used as the heat exchanging means and the water circuit for supplying the condensed water generated by the cooling means to the humidifying means is provided, the work of replenishing the water can be reduced. Further, the food storage structure according to the present invention can be employed in a cooling showcase or a warm storage showcase.

[0013]

1 to 4 show a first embodiment of a food storage according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a food storage, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a food storage case, FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of the ion generator, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the negative ion generating action.

As shown in FIG. 1, this food storage has a heat-insulating box-shaped storage main body 1 having an open upper surface, a food storage case 2 installed at the bottom, and ion storage at the upper side. Generator 3 is installed. In addition, the storage main body 1
Is opened and closed by a lid 11.

As shown in FIG. 2, the food storage case 2 has a case 21 for storing food and a case 21 for storing the food.
And a lid portion 22 for opening and closing the upper surface of the case portion 21. An electrode (anode 21a) formed of a conductive material is adhered to an inner inner surface of the case portion 21. On the other hand, the lid 22 has an electrode (cathode 22a) adhered to the inner surface thereof, and
The side of one set is opened to allow air to flow into the case 21. The side of the other set faces the side of the case 21 with a predetermined gap (about 10 mm) A1. . In the food storage case 2 thus configured, the case portion 21 and the lid portion 22 are connected at their side portions by hinges 23, and the lid portion 22 can be freely opened and closed as shown by a broken line. The electrodes 21a and 22a are connected to an external power supply by connection terminals 21b and 22b.

On the other hand, the ion generator 3 has a blower 32 in a ventilation path 31 as shown in FIG. 3, and is configured to ventilate the air in the storage main body 1 therethrough. Also,
The ventilation passage 31 has a needle electrode 33 connected to a negative DC high-voltage power supply and a ceramic dielectric ground electrode 34 facing the needle electrode 33. The air blown by the blower 32 is supplied to each electrode 3.
There is ventilation between 3,34.

The operation of the ion generator 3 will be described with reference to FIG. By applying a negative high voltage to the needle electrode 33, corona discharge occurs, and both positive and negative ions are generated. Of these ions, positive ions are attracted to the needle electrode 33 and disappear. On the other hand, the negative ions move toward the electrode 34, but the path is longer than the positive ions, so that the blower 32 overcomes the force attracted by the electrode 34 and the storage main body 1
It is blown in. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, negative ions _{^{(O 2 -, C0 4 -}} ) is supplied to the storage chamber body 1, the storage box body 1 has a negative ion-rich.

According to the food storage according to this embodiment, the ion generator 3 is driven and the electrodes 21a, 2
A DC voltage is applied to 2a. Thus, the negative ions generated in the ion generator ^{_{3 (O 2 -, C0 4}} -) is supplied into the storage chamber body 1. Since the case 21 of the food storage case 2 serves as an anode, this negative ion
It is sucked to one side and moves toward the food placed on the case 21. Thereby, bacteria floating around the food and bacteria adhering to the food are sterilized. In addition, as described above, since a positive potential voltage is applied to the electrode 21a of the case portion 21, the metabolic function of bacteria is impaired, and the growth of bacteria and the like can be suppressed. Further, by supplying the negative ions, ethylene gas generated during storage of vegetables and the like is decomposed by the negative ions, and the ripening of vegetables can be delayed.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the food storage according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a cooling device 4 is installed as heat exchange means in the storage main body 2 of the first embodiment. The food is cooled by the cooling device 4,
The bactericidal effect is further improved, and the decomposing action and chemical action of the food are suppressed, and the effect of maintaining the freshness of the food is further improved. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the food storage according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the food storage case 5 has an upper surface opening without a lid portion, and an anode 51 on the anode side is provided on the bottom surface, and an electrode 52 on the cathode side is provided on the side surface. . Each of these electrodes 51,
Between the members 52, a water-retentive material made of resin or cotton, having a thickness of 10 mm, is provided as a partition member 53 (or a diaphragm member) through a porous insulator through which moisture and ions can pass. According to the present embodiment, since there is no lid portion, negative ions are efficiently sucked into the food side, the sterilizing action and the freshness maintaining action are further improved, and the wiring of the electrodes 51 and 52 is also very simple. . Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the second embodiment.

FIGS. 7 to 11 show a food storage according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment,
The humidifier 6 is installed in the storage main body 1 according to the third embodiment. As a first example of the humidifier 6, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, a humidifier 6 has a tank 61a containing water or a liquid having antibacterial or bactericidal properties, and a water pipe 61b extending upward is arranged in the tank 61a. A nozzle 61c in which high-pressure fluid is sprayed near the upper end of the water pipe 61b.
Is used. By spraying the high-pressure fluid, water or the like in the tank 61a is sucked up through the water pipe 61b,
Fine particles are supplied into the storage main body 1.

As a second example, as shown in FIG. 9, a tank 62a containing water or a liquid having antibacterial or bactericidal properties and a heater 6 connected to the tank 62a are provided on the high-pressure fluid side.
2b is used. Here, the heater 62b
The pressure in the tank 62a is increased by heating, and water or the like in the tank 62a is sucked up and turned into steam to be blown out from the tip of the nozzle 61c. With this steam blowing, the tank 6
Water or the like in 1a is sucked up through the water pipe 61b, and is supplied as fine particles into the storage main body 1.

Further, as a third example, as shown in FIG. 10, a water circuit 7 for supplying condensed water of the cooling device 4 to the tank 61a.
1 is used. According to this embodiment, since this condensed water is supplied to the tank 61a, the tank 61a
No work such as water replenishment is required or the number of replenishments is significantly reduced.

Furthermore, as a fourth example, as shown in FIG.
A device provided with water circuits 71 and 72 for supplying to a is used.
Thereby, water supply to each of the tanks 61a and 62a is not required or the number of times of supply is significantly reduced.

By installing the first to fourth humidifiers 6, steam is supplied into the storage main body 1,
In addition to preventing food from drying out, this water is a negative ion (O
₂ ^-, C0 ₄ ^-) bond ^{_{and, O 2 - · (H 2}} O) n and C0 ₄ ^- ·
(H ₂ O) _n is produced. Then, the negative ion particles (10 μm or less) are attracted to the food storage side, and the food can be sterilized efficiently. In order to remove substances such as calcium and magnesium contained in the water, an ion exchange filter (not shown) may be provided in the path.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a fifth embodiment of the food storage according to the present invention. This embodiment shows an example in which a refrigerated showcase is used as a food storage. That is, a storage main body 82 in which food placing shelves 81 are arranged in a plurality of upper and lower stages, and an air passage 83 around the storage main body 82 communicating with the inside of the storage are provided. The generator 3 and the humidifier 6 are installed, and the air (humidified and cooled air containing negative ions) generated by these devices 3, 4, and 6 is circulated in the refrigerator by the circulation blower 84. (Solid arrows in FIG. 12). Also,
As shown in FIG. 13, the food placing shelf 81 is an anode-side electrode formed of a conductive member.
Reference numeral 5 denotes a cathode-side electrode similarly formed of a conductive member, and a porous insulator or a porous member through which moisture or ions can pass as a partition member 86 (or a diaphragm member) between the electrodes 81 and 85. Water-retentive material made of resin or cotton with a thickness of 10
mm. Thus, even in the refrigerated showcase, the stored food can be sterilized, kept fresh, and the like.

FIG. 14 shows a sixth embodiment of the food storage according to the present invention. This embodiment shows an example in which a warm storage showcase is employed as a food storage. That is, an electric heater 87 is provided instead of the cooling device 4 according to the fifth embodiment, and the humidified / negative ion air heated by the electric heater 87 is circulated in the refrigerator. Thus, food sterilization and the like can be similarly performed in the warm storage showcase, and ethylene gas generated from vegetables and the like can be decomposed by negative ions. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the fifth embodiment.

In the above embodiments, the control of the ion generator 3, the humidifier 6, and the electrodes 33 and 34 is not described. For example, when the inside of the refrigerator main body 1 is opened (when food is stored). May be stopped and controlled to be driven when closed, or the start and stop may be intermittently driven by a timer. Further, the voltage to each device 3, 6, 33, 34 may be arbitrarily changed by a selection switch or the like. Furthermore, a temperature / humidity sensor may be provided to detect the temperature and humidity in the refrigerator, and drive the voltages of the devices 3, 6, 33, and 34. Furthermore, when the food is placed on a tray such as Styrofoam or packed, the voltage is not applied to the food itself, so that the bacteriostatic effect cannot be expected, but the food storage case 2 or the food placing shelf 81 It is effective in sterilizing adhered bacteria and the like, and the negative ion concentration near the food is increasing, which is effective in sterilizing airborne bacteria near the food.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Bacteria floating around the food or bacteria adhering to the food are sterilized by negative ions, and oxidative deterioration of the food is suppressed. In addition, ethylene gas generated during storage of vegetables and the like is decomposed by negative ions, so that ripening of vegetables can be delayed. Furthermore, since the food deterioration is slowed by negative ions, the cooling temperature can be slightly increased,
It is excellent in energy saving, and when stored at the conventional cooling temperature, the freshness retention period is extended.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a food storage according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a food storage case according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of an ion generator.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the negative ion generating action of the ion generator.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a food storage according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a food storage according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a food storage according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a first example of a humidifier.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a second example of a humidifier.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a third example of the humidifier.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a fourth example of a humidifier.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a food storage according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing a food placing shelf;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a food storage according to a sixth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Storage main body, 2, 5 ... Food storage case, 3 ... Ion generator, 4 ... Cooling device, 6 ... Humidifier.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI F25D 23/00 302 F25D 23/00 302F H01T 23/00 H01T 23/00

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A food storage having a storage main body for storing food, comprising: negative ion generating means for supplying negative ions into the storage main body; and a pair of electrodes to which a DC voltage is applied. A food storage box, wherein an anode of the electrodes is arranged on the food storage side, and a cathode is arranged at a predetermined gap from the anode. 2. The food storage according to claim 1, further comprising voltage control means for controlling a voltage of at least one of said negative ion generating means and said electrode. 3. The food storage according to claim 1, further comprising timer means for controlling the start and stop of at least one of the negative ion generating means and the electrode. 4. A food storage case having an upper surface opening for storing food is disposed in the storage main body, and the food storage case is opened and closed by a lid, and the anode side electrode is disposed in the food storage case. The food storage according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a cathode-side electrode is disposed on the lid. 5. A food storage case having an upper surface opening for storing food is disposed in the storage main body, the anode electrode is disposed on a bottom surface of the food storage case, and a food storage case is disposed on a side surface of the food storage case. The food storage according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a cathode-side electrode is arranged, and a separating member formed of a porous insulator or the like is interposed between the electrodes. 6. The food storage according to claim 1, further comprising heat exchange means for cooling or heating the inside of the storage main body. 7. The food storage according to claim 1, further comprising a humidifier for supplying liquid fine particles such as water or vapor to the storage main body. 8. The food storage according to claim 7, wherein a liquid having antibacterial or bactericidal properties is used as the liquid of the humidifying means. 9. A food storage, characterized by using a cooling means as the heat exchange means of claim 6, and having a water circuit for supplying condensed water generated by said cooling means to the humidification means of claim 8. 10. A food storage having a storage main body for storing food, wherein the storage main body includes a food mounting shelf to which an anode electrode is connected, a food mounting shelf and a porous insulator. A cathode-side electrode interposed therebetween; and forming an air passage communicating with the inside of the storage main body around the storage main body, and cooling or heating the air in the air passage to blow the air. A food storage, comprising: heat exchange means; negative ion generating means for supplying negative ions; and humidifying means for supplying liquid fine particles or vapor such as water.