JPS6129713B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a storage method and apparatus for the transportation of fresh foods, which are characterized by being able to store and transport fresh foods such as vegetables and fruits without reducing their freshness. It is related to.

Generally, in order to maintain the freshness of fruits and vegetables, it is desirable to store them under as low a temperature as possible within a temperature range that does not cause low-temperature damage.For example, the appropriate storage temperature for cherries is said to be around 2°C. Therefore, if the fruit is rapidly precooled (10 to 15 hours) as soon as possible after harvest and stored in a refrigerator at 2°C, the freshness at the time of harvest can be maintained even after 3 to 4 days.

However, currently, when transporting containers at low temperatures, it is necessary to pre-cool the cargo before loading, rapidly cool it down to 2°C during transport, and maintain that temperature, which requires a cooler capacity larger than usual. In order to prevent condensation during shipping, a heating source is required to raise the temperature of the product from 2°C to around 15°C upon arrival. However, in-vehicle coolers are generally extremely expensive compared to regular coolers, and in addition, they require heating equipment to raise the temperature, so transportation costs for low-temperature transportation are so high that it is impossible to pass on the price to the product. It gets expensive. In addition, condensation, which is commonly observed in low-temperature conditions, causes problems such as a decrease in the freshness of fresh foods and a decrease in the lifespan of storage compartments such as containers.

This invention was made in view of the above circumstances,
By forming a freshness-preserving agent layer in the main cold air flow path that is pumped into the storage room, it absorbs gases such as ethylene and aldehyde generated from fruits that accelerate ripening, and moisture that causes condensation. In addition to purifying the air in the storage room, a forced circulation sub-cooled air flow path is formed in the storage room from a direction almost perpendicular to the main cold air flow path, and ethylene, aldehyde, etc. are added to the whole area of the fresh food in the storage room. By lowering the concentration of aged ingredients, freshness can be maintained, and when used in containers during transportation, the temperature inside the container can be set higher (approximately 10 to 15 degrees Celsius compared to when not in use). This makes it possible to reduce equipment costs by reducing the need for refrigeration equipment, as well as to prevent condensation that occurs when low-temperature transported products are put on the market. Because it is cooled by air, it is possible to provide sufficient ventilation even for perishable foods stored in containers such as cardboard boxes, and the humidity is kept at a low level (60-70%) to prevent pests and diseases. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for storing fresh food, which has characteristics such as being able to suppress the occurrence of food spoilage and spoilage.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention, in which the storage method and apparatus of the present invention are applied to a container for transporting fruits and vegetables.

In the attached drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a container main body, which has a substantially rectangular box shape as a whole and is thermally constructed using a heat insulating material, and is partitioned by a partition wall 2 formed near one end of the container. Relatively large storage room 3
and a narrow machine room 4. The machine room 4 is further divided into upper and lower halves by a horizontal freshness-preserving agent layer 5. In this case, the freshness-preserving agent layer 5 is formed by filling a freshness-preserving agent 5b such as activated carbon into a receiving box 5a with a net bottom 5a' that is slidably inserted into the partition wall 2 in the form of a drawer. At this time, it is desirable to surround the freshness-preserving agent 5b with a restraining material 5c made of a mesh sheet to prevent it from scattering and falling off (see FIG. 10). In this case, the freshness-preserving agent layer may be of a two-layer type, for example, in which activated carbon (ethylene) is laminated on an activated alumina layer (moisture). Although it is convenient that the receiving box 5a can be taken in and out from the storage chamber 3 side, it is not limited to such a configuration. Such a freshness preserving agent layer 5
A cooler 6 as a cooling source is installed across the upper end of the partition wall 2 in the upper part of the machine room 4 having The discharge port 6b opens toward the storage chamber 3, and a cooler 6 is connected to the discharge port 6b.
A main fan 7 for the main cold air flow path is provided as a blowing means for forcefully sending cold air from the inside of the storage room 3 into the storage chamber 3.

On the other hand, at least one side wall of the storage chamber 3 is provided with a perforated plate 8 such as a punching board.
A box-shaped duct 9 with an open top is formed, and at an upper end opening 9a of this duct 9 there are sub-fans which are circulating air blowing means for suctioning and force-feeding cold air in the storage chamber 3 at appropriate intervals. 10,10
is equipped with. The sub-fan 10 has a capacity corresponding to the required air volume for each section formed by the partition wall 9a of the duct 9. Note that even when the duct 9 is configured and the sub-fan 10 is attached to only one side wall, the other side wall is equipped with a lattice or perforated plate to prevent cargo from collapsing, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Consisting of 11 fences,
This fence 11 for preventing cargo collapse and the container body 1
It is preferable to construct a cold air flow path by interposing a spacing holder 12 such as a turnbuckle that can move forward and backward between the inner wall 1a and the inner wall 1a. In this case, if a spacing holder 12' using a pantograph as shown in FIG. 6 is used as a means for moving the cargo collapse prevention fence 11, the entire spacing holder 12' can be moved at one location.
...can be operated. In addition, this interval holder 1
2 and 12' both serve to prevent cargo from collapsing. Additionally, as shown in Figures 7 to 9,
When using the cargo collapse prevention fence 11' formed of a lattice body, vertical and horizontal rollers 11a' and 11b' are provided at the upper end of the fence 11', and these rollers 11a' and 11b' are connected to the storage room 3. A pair of U-shaped guide rails 3a formed in the upper width direction,
The movement of the cargo collapse prevention fence 11' to the inside of the storage chamber 3 is prevented by a positioning stopper 12' which is disposed so as to be able to roll between the guide rails 3a and is clamped and fixed to the lower flange portion 3a' of the guide rail 3a. regulated. The lower end of the fence 11' can be moved without restriction with respect to the lower guide rail 3a'', and the distance between the fence 11' and the side wall of the container body 1 can be adjusted using an arbitrary spacer or retainer. It can be regulated by means.

In addition, a large number of ribs 13, 13, parallel to each other along the longitudinal direction are laid on the floor of the storage room 3, and between these ribs 13, 13, the bottom of the storage room 3 and the machine room 4 is Cold air flow path section 14,1 that communicates with
4...... is formed.

In the storage device of the present invention configured as described above, the cold air that passes through the freshness preserving agent 5b and is sent out from the cooling air 6 by the main fan 7 is stored in the storage chamber 3.
A main cold air flow path A is formed which is forced from above, and a part of the cold air in this main cold air flow path is transported from a direction substantially perpendicular to the main cold air flow path A in the storage chamber 3 by means of a sub fan 10. A circulation-type auxiliary cold air flow path B is formed in which the perforated cargo flows through the perforated plate 11, is sucked from the surface of the perforated plate 8, and is again forced into the upper part of the storage chamber 3. The stored fruits and vegetables can be exposed to cold air over the entire area, and the freshness preserving agent 5b contained in the cold air can
It is possible to purify the air in the storage chamber 3 by adsorbing gases such as ethylene and aldehyde generated from fruits and moisture that promote ripening, and to purify the air in the storage chamber 3. Since the purified air can be returned to the machine room 4 from the cold air flow path sections 14, 14, . It is now possible to preserve the food without losing its freshness. Note that the top and rear surfaces of the stacked perforated cargo boxes are covered with sheets to prevent cold air from escaping.

11 to 13 show a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the storage method and apparatus of the present invention are used in a general refrigerated warehouse. In this case, a cooler 6 and a main fan 7 are disposed above and below the freshness retaining layer 5, and a duct 9 and a sub-fan 1 are provided on both side walls of the storage room 3.
In addition, a hollow pallet 15 is provided on the floor of the storage room 3 in place of the ribs 13, 13... of the first embodiment. The hollow portions form cold air flow path portions 14', 14', and the sub cold air flow path B connects a part of the main cold air flow path A that is force-fed from the cooler 6 to the upper part of the warehouse between the packages in the center. In this case, the cold air flows through the perforated baggage through a passage formed in the hole, and is returned to the main flow path A from the duct 9 on both side walls by the sub-fans 10, 10. In addition, since the other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same parts are given the same reference numerals and the explanation thereof is omitted.

As explained above, according to the storage method and apparatus of the present invention, the main cold air stream is pumped from a cooling source to a storage room containing fresh foods, with the composition of a freshness preserving agent being included in the cold air. In the storage room, some of the cold air in the main cold air flow path is sucked in from a surface in a direction almost perpendicular to the main cold air flow path, and after circulating in the perforated cargo box, it is sucked in again from above the duct on the side wall. The pressure-fed circulation-type secondary cold air flow path allows the cold air to be uniformly distributed over the entire area of the fresh food stored in the storage chamber, and by passing it through the freshness-preserving agent layer, the air in the circulating air is Harmful components can be removed, and as a result, the set temperature in the storage room can be raised, equipment costs can be reduced by reducing the need for refrigerator equipment, and dew condensation can be prevented. Because of this, it can maintain humidity at a low level (60-70%) and has excellent hygienic effects, such as suppressing the occurrence of pests and rot, so its utility value is remarkable.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional perspective view showing a first embodiment of the storage device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken along lines - and - in FIG. 1, respectively. , FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another spacing holder of the fence for preventing load collapse according to the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a fence for preventing load collapse according to the present invention. Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the main part, Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing another structure of
8 is a side view of FIG. 8, FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a cross-sectional view of essential parts of the freshness-preserving layer according to the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a side view of FIG.
Figures 1 to 13 are a front sectional view, a side sectional view, and a plan sectional view, respectively, showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 2...partition wall, 3...storage room, 4
... Machine room, 5 ... Freshness preservation agent layer, 6 ... Cooler (cooling source), 7 ... Main fan (main air blowing means), 8 ...
...Perforated plate, 9...Duct, 10...Sub-fan (air circulation means), 13...Rib, 14, 14'...
Cold air flow path section, 15...Pallet, A...Main cold air flow path, B...Sub cold air flow path.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A freshness-preserving agent layer is formed in a main cold air flow path in which cold air from a cooling source is pumped by a blowing means toward a storage room that stores fresh food, and in the storage room, the A circulation type system using suction/pressure feeding means that sucks some of the cold air in the main cold air flow path from a surface in a direction almost perpendicular to the main cold air flow path, circulates it inside the perforated cargo box, and returns it to the main cold air flow path. A fresh food product characterized by forming a sub-cold air flow path so that the freshness of the fresh food is maintained by the cold air in the main cold air flow path and the sub-cold air flow path and a freshness-preserving agent composition contained in the cold air. storage method. 2 A storage room for storing fresh food and a machine room are separated by a partition wall, and a freshness-preserving agent layer is formed in the machine room to partition the machine room almost horizontally, and a freshness-preserving agent layer that passes through this freshness-preserving agent layer is formed in the machine room. Equipped with a cooling source of cold air and a main blowing means for pumping the cold air from the cooling source from above the storage chamber, at least one side of the storage chamber is open at the upper side, and the storage chamber side is made of a perforated plate. Along with forming a duct,
The duct is equipped with a circulating air blowing means for sucking and forcing a part of the cold air in the storage room at the upper part of the duct, and a cold air flow path toward the machine room is formed on the floor of the storage room. Fresh food storage equipment. 3. The fresh food storage device according to claim 2, wherein the cold air flow path portion is formed by a large number of vertical ribs. 4. The fresh food storage device according to claim 2, wherein the cold air passage portion is formed by a hollow portion of a pallet.