JPS62205774A - Thawer for frozen food - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To thaw a large amount of frozen foods with a small amount of water, rapidly, by transferring frozen foods along a flow channel of a circulating water tank having both a circulating flow of warm water and a circulating flow of cold water. CONSTITUTION:Warm water and cold water are fed to a warm water zone B and a cold water zone C of a circulating water tank 1, respectively, bubble- containing warm water is jetted from a warm water jetting nozzle 10 and jet stream of warm water toward a partition plate 9 is formed. Then, jet stream of cold water containing air and ozone is jetted from a cold water jetting nozzle 24 toward the partition plate 9 and the partition plate 9 is removed when flow in the warm water zone B and the cold water zone C becomes stable. Then a frozen food F to be thawed is loaded up through a loading conveyer 45 on a traveling and moving food carrier 43, fed to a preliminarily thawing zone A, sprinkled with warm water from a warm water shower 23, preliminarily thawed, fed to the warm water zone B, washed, then sent to the cold water zone C, thawed while being sterilized and sent to a discharge tank 46.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to a thawing device for frozen foods, and in particular, to a device for thawing frozen foods, which circulates hot water in a circulating water tank to circulate hot water and cold water in a stream 71'. The food to be thawed loaded on the food carrier running along the guide rail is moved along the flow path of the circulating water tank, and while the frozen food is moving through the thawing water, This invention relates to a frozen food thawing device that is capable of thawing frozen foods.

(Prior art) Frozen foods such as meat and fish are generally thawed by maintaining the area around them at a temperature higher than the product temperature before cooking. There is an internal heating thawing method, and among these external heating thawing methods there are a natural thawing method in which the frozen food is left in the air, an in-liquid thawing method in which the frozen food is immersed in a liquid, and a heating thawing method. Among these methods, the thawing method in liquid includes a method in which the frozen food is immersed in a water tank for a long time, and a method in which the food to be thawed is immersed in a thawing tank in which running water is run in a stream. The thawing method using tap water is widely used because it washes away dirt and bacteria adhering to the surface of frozen foods and is easy to work with.However, this method requires the use of large amounts of water. The need for water passage increases costs, and the treatment of sewage after use is troublesome, posing a problem from the perspective of pollution prevention.

In order to solve these problems, the applicant first circulated the thawing water in the aquarium using a pump, blew air bubbles into the thawing water to generate ultrasonic waves, and at the same time blew ozone into the thawing water to thaw the food. We would like to provide a thawing device for frozen food that can maintain the freshness of the food.
(see publication).

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The conventional natural thawing method described above takes a long time to thaw, and in particular, there is a large difference in thawing time between winter and summer, resulting in low thawing efficiency. In addition, as mentioned above, the drip thawing method using tap water increases the number of tap water users and increases water bills, while the water after thawing tends to become contaminated, which poses problems from the perspective of sewage treatment and pollution prevention. . In this regard, Japanese Patent Publication No. 59
The thawing device described in the publication No. 169481 was useful in solving the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, but the thawing process m per day was small, for example, 5 times a day.
It was impossible to thaw 20 tons of frozen food from tan.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the object of the present invention is to make it possible to quickly defrost a large amount of frozen food by increasing the cleaning and sterilizing effects with a small amount of water, and to streamline the work by reducing the number of workers engaged in defrosting work. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a thawing device for frozen foods.

[Structure of the invention]

(Means for Solving the Invention) In order to achieve the above object, the frozen food thawing device according to the present invention includes a circulating water tank in which a hot water area and a cold water area coexist, which circulate across a boundary, and a circulating water tank in which a hot water area and a cold water area coexist. a group of dry water injection nozzles installed in the cold water area and ejecting a jet stream of hot water toward the boundary; a group of cold water injection nozzles installed in the cold water area and ejecting a jet stream of cold water toward the boundary; An endless guide rail installed directly above the flow path of the circulation water tank, and a food carrier that is movably suspended from the guide rail and carries the food to be thawed and transports the thawing water from the inlet to the outlet. It is characterized by comprising the following.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of a thawing apparatus for frozen food according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates a circulation water tank for circulating thawing water, and within this circulation water tank 1, a channel 2 having a C-shaped planar shape is formed. In the figure, reference numeral 3 indicates the inlet of the flow path, and reference numeral 4 indicates the outlet of the flow path. Thus, the flow path 2 is formed by configuring the inner wall 5, the bottom wall 6, and the outer wall 7 into a channel shape. A preliminary thawing area A, a warm area B, a cold area C, and a finishing area are sequentially formed between the inlet 3 and the outlet 4 of the flow path 2, and the boundary between the warm area B and the cold area C is marked. Indicated by @8, a partition plate 9 is temporarily installed at this boundary 8, and this partition plate 9 is removed during regular defrosting work.

On each of the inner wall 5 and outer wall 7 of the hot water IffB, eight hot water injection nozzles 10 are provided which eject a jet stream of drought water that is a mixture of air and hot water toward the downstream side of the flow of thawing water. They are arranged at predetermined intervals. As shown in FIG. 2, the hot water injection nozzle 10 has a nozzle body 11 provided with a nozzle hole 11. Hot water is supplied to this nozzle body 11, and the body 11 near the nozzle hole 11a Air is mixed in at a predetermined ratio through an air supply pipe 12, and hot water containing air bubbles is supplied to the thawing water in the drought area B from the nozzle hole 11a. In this way, the nozzle hole 1 of the hot water injection nozzle 10
When a jet of hot water is ejected from 1a into the thawing water, air bubbles are created in the thawing water, and when the bubbles burst, cavitation generates ultrasonic waves to perform the cleaning work.

Further, the hot water jet causes the thawing water in the hot water area B to flow toward the outlet 4.

Therefore, the bottom wall 6 at a position close to the partition plate 9 of the warm area B
A suction port 16 is opened at the. Between this suction port 16 and the inlet of the nozzle body 11 of the hot water injection nozzle 10,
They are connected via a hot water suction pipe 17. Although not shown, the hot water intake pipe 17 is connected to each hot water injection nozzle 10.

FIG. 3 schematically shows a hot water circulation supply system, in which a filter 18 and a pump 1 are disposed on the hot water suction pipe 17.
9 is incorporated, and the outlet side of this pump 19 is connected to a heat exchanger 2.
0, and hot water heated within the heat exchanger 20 is supplied to the nozzle body 11. Note that heated hot water heated by a boiler 21 is circulated and supplied to the heat exchanger 20 via a pipe 22A. Further, a part of the heated hot water from the boiler 21 is guided to the hot water jaw 23 provided above the preliminary thawing area A via the hot water supply line 22B, and is supplied to the food to be thawed F in this preliminary thawing area FdA. On the other hand, warm water is poured from above.

On the other hand, on the outside of the inner wall 5 and outer wall '7 of the cold water area C, three cold water injection nozzles 24 are arranged at predetermined intervals. This cold water injection nozzle 24 is for ejecting a jet stream of a mixture of air and ozone in thawed water toward the upstream side of the flow. This cold water injection nozzle 24
As is clear from FIG. 3, it has a nozzle body 25, an ozone generator 26 is connected to this nozzle body 25, an air tank 27 and an ozone tank 28 are connected to this ozone generator 26, and air and ozone are mixed and supplied at a predetermined ratio. This ozone and oxygen are used to sterilize thawed foods and maintain freshness. Referring again to FIG. 1, a suction port 29 is opened in the bottom wall 6 of the cold water area C near the partition plate 9. A cold water suction pipe 3 is connected between this suction port 29 and the cold water injection nozzle 24.
0, and a filter 31 and a pump 32 are installed on this cold water suction pipe 30. This pump 32
The discharge side of
It is supplied to the nozzle body 25 of No. 4.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the cooling water from the cooler 33 is supplied to the cold water shower 35 in the finishing area through the conduit 34 and sprayed onto the food F to be thawed. Note that tube number 36 in FIG. 3 indicates a tap water source.

Next, a description will be given of the configuration of a frozen food conveying device that conveys the food F to be thawed from the inlet 3 of the flow path 2 of the above-mentioned circulation water tank 1 toward the outlet 4 while immersing it in thawing water.

This frozen food conveying device has a guide rail 37 fixedly installed in the space above the flow path 2 of the circulation water tank 1. It is constructed in an endless manner in the upper space.

A pair of hanger stand stays 38A and 38B are erected at both ends to hold the guide rail 37 in space, and a plurality of hanger stands 39 are erected at appropriate intervals J3. Further, the guide rail 37 is provided with an appropriate inclination in the inlet and outlet regions of the circulating water tank 1, and is configured so as not to interfere with the loading and unloading of the food F to be thawed. A food carrier 40 is suspended from the guide rail 37, and this food carrier 40 is
As shown in FIG. 5 and 'PS6, the running wheels 41 and the hanger frame 42 move on the guide rail 37.
and a food packet 43 carried on the lower end thereof.

In the illustrated embodiment, a loading conveyor 45 is installed near the inlet 3 of the circulating water tank 1, and the food F to be thawed is sent to the loading port via this loading conveyor 45, and the food chyrelia 40 is transported by an operator. food packets 43. On the other hand, near the outlet 4 of the circulating water tank 1, there is installed a carry-out tank 46 from which thawed food is unloaded.

Next, the operation of the above-mentioned frozen food thawing device will be explained.

Prior to the thawing process, first, the dry area B in the circulating water tank 1 is
A pump 19 and a boiler 2, which are each component of the hot water and cold water circulation system, supply hot water and cold water to the cold water area C and the cold water area C, respectively.
9 and pump 32 are operated. Then, hot water is showered from the hot water java 23, the hot water in the hot water area B flows toward the partition plate 9, and jets of hot water are blown downstream from the wet water injection nozzle 10, and at the same time, the hot water in the hot water area B flows toward the partition plate 9. A jet stream of cold water is blown out from the cold water jet nozzle 10 toward the partition plate 9. In this way, drought area B
When the flow in the cold water area C becomes stable, the partition plate 9 is removed and the preparation work for the thawing process is completed. Then, a chain conveyor that drives a group of food carriers is driven, and the food carriers 40 are driven to run from the entrance 3 toward the exit 4 at a predetermined speed.

Thus, the worker sequentially loads an appropriate amount of the food to be thawed F sent from the loading conveyor 45 into the food packets 43 of each food carrier 40 that is traveling. The food to be thawed F loaded in the food packet 43 is showered with hot water from the hot water java 23 in the preliminary thawing area A, and then gradually immersed in the hot water in the hot area B as it progresses through the hot water to a predetermined point. Proceed at speed. Note that it is appropriate for the advancing speed of the food to be thawed F to be 175th of the speed of the running water. During this time, the food to be thawed F
is subjected to a cleaning operation by ultrasonic waves caused by the bursting of bubbles blown out from the hot water injection nozzle 10. The food to be thawed F eventually enters the cold water area C and moves through the cold water area C. During this time, the food to be thawed is sterilized and sterilized by ozone and oxygen from the ozone generator 26, and the freshness of the food to be thawed F is maintained. .

Then, in the final stage, cold water from the cold water Java 35 is poured, and the thawing process is completed. Thawed food F after thawing process
is discharged into the discharge tank 46 by overturning the food packet 43. After this, food packet 43
is washed with cleaning java and ready for loading the next food F to be thawed.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, a circulating flow of hot water and a circulating flow of cold water coexist in a circulating water tank, and bubbles are blown into the thawing water in the warm area through a nozzle to cause the bubbles to burst. While generating ultrasonic waves, ozone is supplied to the thawing water in the cold water area, and the food to be thawed loaded in the food carrier is moved through the thawing water in the circulating water tank. A large amount of frozen foods ranging from 5 tons to 20 tons per day can be thawed quickly with a small number of workers. In addition, since the thawing water is circulated by a pump, the thawing water can be saved and the cost of tap water used can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, since the ultrasonic waves can be expected to cleanse the food to be thawed in the warm water area, and ozone is blown into the cold water area, it is possible to sufficiently sterilize and sterilize the thawed food.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a frozen food thawing apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view taken along line [-II in FIG. 1, and FIG. A circulation system diagram showing the circulation system of dry water and cold water in the circulating water tank, Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing the hot water injection nozzle, Fig. 5 is a front view showing the food carrier, and Fig. 6 is the same. FIG. 2 is a side view of the food carrier. 1... Circulating water tank, 2... Channel, A... Pre-thawing area, B... Warm area, C... Cold area, D... Finishing area,
8... Boundary, 10... Drought injection nozzle, 24...
Cold water injection nozzle, 37... Guide rail, 40...
food carrier. Applicant's agent Mr. Sato Figure 6

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A circulating water tank in which a hot water area and a cold water area coexist that circulate across a boundary, and a group of hot water installed in the warm water area and spouting a jet stream of hot water toward the boundary. an injection nozzle, a group of cold water injection nozzles installed in the cold water area and ejecting a jet stream of cold water toward the boundary, an endless guide rail installed directly above the flow path of the circulating water tank;
A thawing device for frozen food comprising a food carrier that is movably suspended on the guide rail and carries food to be thawed and transports the food from the inlet to the outlet through thawing water. 2. The circulating water tank is characterized in that the inner wall, the bottom wall, and the outer wall are configured in the shape of a channel, and the planar shape is configured in a substantially C-shape. Frozen food thawing equipment. 3. The frozen food according to claim 1, wherein the group of hot water injection nozzles is arranged at a predetermined interval on the inner wall and outer wall of the hot water area of the circulating water tank. Thawing device. 4. A patent claim characterized in that each of the hot water injection nozzles has a nozzle body with a nozzle hole opened at the tip, and an air supply pipe is open-connected in the nozzle body immediately before the nozzle hole. A thawing device for frozen food according to item 3. 5. The cold water injection nozzle has a nozzle body with a nozzle hole opened at its tip, and air and ozone are mixed at a predetermined ratio and supplied immediately before the nozzle hole. A thawing device for frozen food according to claim 1.