KR20230161884A - Food Vacuum Cooling Method and Food Vacuum Cooling Device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for vacuum cooling food that can further shorten the working time. The present invention provides a vacuum cooling device for food that can shorten operating time with simple modifications.
The vacuum cooling method of food and the vacuum cooling device of food of the present invention include a vacuum chamber comprised of a main chamber, a reduced pressure chamber including at least an outer chamber and an inner chamber adjacent to the main chamber, and a return pressure chamber including one or more chambers, and the vacuum chamber is configured to maintain a predetermined pressure from atmospheric pressure. The pressure is preliminarily decompressed in the outer chamber of the decompression chamber up to the pressure required for cooling from the predetermined pressure decompressed in the outer chamber of the decompression chamber. Food brought into the main room via the decompression chamber is cooled for a predetermined period of time in the main room in a state where the degree of vacuum required for cooling is maintained, and then is taken out via the decompression chamber. Opening and closing the doors in each room so that the operation in each room is completed within the allowable processing time calculated in advance based on the predetermined cooling time, depressurizing the room requiring depressurization, increasing pressure in the room requiring increased pressure, and food carry out return.

Description

Food vacuum cooling method and food vacuum cooling device {Food Vacuum Cooling Method and Food Vacuum Cooling Device}

The present invention relates to a method for vacuum cooling food and a vacuum cooling device for food.

There is a vacuum cooling device for food that places food, including raw materials, in a vacuum chamber where the pressure is reduced to a predetermined pressure, evaporates moisture, and cools the food by heat of vaporization. In order to suppress the growth of microorganisms in relatively high-temperature foods, for example, foods immediately after cooking, cooling is performed so that the period in which the food is in the temperature range where microbial growth is active during the process of lowering the temperature of the food is within a predetermined period of time. is required. Vacuum cooling has limitations in the type and temperature of food that can be cooled, but it can uniformly rapidly cool food to the inert temperature range of major harmful microorganisms.

In principle, the vacuum cooling device is configured to set food in a vacuum chamber, depressurize the vacuum chamber to a predetermined pressure using a vacuum pump or ejector, and then restore the pressure in the vacuum chamber to atmospheric pressure after a predetermined time to remove the food. . The evaporated moisture is condensed by the cold trap, collected in the water tank, and then drained. Therefore, the time to reduce the pressure in the vacuum chamber to the degree of vacuum required for cooling to the required temperature substantially corresponds to the waiting time until the vacuum cooling process of the food can be performed.

Since the degree of vacuum required to cool to the required temperature ranges from a low vacuum area of about 100 Pa to a medium vacuum area, the time from setting the food in the vacuum chamber to reducing the pressure to the required pressure is It is short enough to prevent reproduction. However, the larger the vacuum chamber, the longer it takes to depressurize to the required pressure, making it difficult to cool a larger number of foods at once. Additionally, the waiting time for continuous cooling of food is too long.

As disclosed in Patent Document 1, a vacuum cooling device is known that provides a decompression chamber and a return pressure chamber adjacent to the vacuum chamber with a volume sufficiently small compared to the vacuum chamber. According to the vacuum cooling device of the invention in Patent Document 1, the required degree of vacuum can be maintained in the vacuum chamber, and the time to depressurize the decompression chamber to the required pressure is shorter than that of the vacuum chamber, so the vacuum chamber can be made larger and the atmospheric pressure can be maintained. The time can be shortened and work efficiency can be improved.

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-30979

Even in a vacuum cooling device that has a decompression chamber and a return pressure chamber adjacent to the vacuum chamber, the time to decompress to the required pressure in the decompression chamber still exists as a waiting time. Therefore, if the waiting time in such a vacuum cooling device can be shortened, the time for continuously vacuum cooling food can be shortened, and work efficiency can be expected to be further improved.

The present invention is a vacuum cooling method using a vacuum cooling device having a decompression chamber and a return pressure chamber adjacent to the vacuum chamber. A vacuum cooling method that can further shorten the working time and a vacuum cooling device that can shorten the working time by simple improvement. The main purpose is to provide. Several advantages obtainable by the present invention are disclosed in detail each time in the description of specific embodiments.

The vacuum cooling method of food of the present invention includes a main chamber, a decompression chamber including at least an outer chamber and an inner chamber adjacent to the main chamber, and one or more chambers. A vacuum cooling method of food in which the food to be cooled is vacuum cooled by placing the food to be cooled in the main chamber decompressed to the required atmospheric pressure for a predetermined cooling time in a vacuum cooling device including a vacuum chamber composed of a pressure chamber. , the internal pressure is increased to atmospheric pressure in the outer chamber of the pressure reduction chamber, the food inlet is opened, the food is brought in, the inlet is closed, the internal pressure is reduced to a predetermined atmospheric pressure higher than the required atmospheric pressure in the main chamber, and the food is brought in through the discharge port. A process of opening and transporting the food and then closing the outlet, increasing the internal pressure in the inner chamber of the pressure reduction chamber to the predetermined atmospheric pressure in the outer chamber, opening the loading port to transport the food, and A process of closing the loading port to reduce the internal pressure to the necessary atmospheric pressure in the main room, opening the loading port to take out the food, and then closing the loading port; bringing the food into the main room and reducing the internal pressure to the required air pressure; A process of vacuum-cooling the food by leaving the food for the predetermined cooling time while maintaining atmospheric pressure and then taking the food out, opening an inlet in the return pressure chamber to bring in the food, and closing the inlet. It includes the process of increasing the internal pressure to atmospheric pressure, opening the outlet, exporting the food, and then closing the outlet, and each process is performed within the allowable processing time calculated in advance based on the predetermined cooling time. To complete the process, each loading port and each loading port are opened and closed, depressurizing a room requiring pressure reduction, pressurizing a room requiring pressure boosting, and transporting the food.

The vacuum cooling device for carrying out the method of vacuum cooling food of the present invention includes a vacuum chamber consisting of a main chamber, a decompression chamber including at least an outer chamber and an inner chamber adjacent to the main chamber, and a return pressure chamber including one or more chambers. A vacuum cooling device for food that vacuum cools the food to be cooled by depressurizing the main room to the necessary atmospheric pressure and leaving the food to be cooled for a predetermined cooling time, comprising a door installed in each room to open and close the inlet and outlet of the food; , a vacuum device installed in at least the outer chamber and the inner chamber of the main chamber and the decompression chamber to depressurize the interior, a pressure boosting device installed in at least the outer chamber and the inner chamber of the decompression chamber to boost the interior pressure, and a conveyance device for conveying the food. device, and operation of the inlet and outlet, operation of the vacuum device, and pressure boosting so that the work performed in each room is completed within an allowable processing time calculated in advance based on the predetermined cooling time. It is characterized by comprising a control device that controls the operation of the device and the driving of the conveying device.

In the present invention, a vacuum chamber is composed of a main chamber, a decompression chamber including at least an outer chamber and an inner chamber adjacent to the main chamber, and a return pressure chamber including one or more chambers, and the vacuum chamber is preliminarily decompressed in the outer chamber of the decompression chamber from atmospheric pressure to a predetermined atmospheric pressure. , the pressure is preliminarily decompressed in the inner chamber of the decompression chamber from the predetermined atmospheric pressure decompressed in the outer chamber of the decompression chamber to the atmospheric pressure required for cooling. It is possible to further decompress in stages by providing at least one intermediate room between the outer and inner chambers of the decompression chamber. Food brought into the main room via the decompression chamber is cooled for a predetermined period of time in the main room in a state where the degree of vacuum required for cooling is maintained, and then is taken out via the decompression chamber. The pressure room may be divided into two or more rooms and the pressure may be restored in stages. Opening and closing the doors in each room, depressurizing rooms that need to be depressurized, boosting the pressure in rooms that need to be depressurized, and transporting food so that operations in each room are completed within the allowable processing time calculated in advance based on the predetermined cooling time. carry out.

According to the present invention, preparations are completed to send out one cycle of food from the outer and inner chambers of the decompression chamber and at least one return pressure chamber within a predetermined cooling time required for vacuum cooling the food to be cooled in the main chamber of the vacuum chamber. Therefore, the waiting time for continuously vacuum cooling food can be made as short as possible, thereby improving work efficiency.

[Figure 1] A plan view schematically showing the vacuum cooling device of the present invention.
[FIG. 2] A cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1.
[Figure 3] A plan view schematically showing the vacuum cooling device of the present invention.
[Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Figure 3.
[Figure 5] is a block diagram showing the connection relationship between the control device and each device.
[FIG. 6] A flowchart showing the time when food is brought into the main room of the vacuum chamber.
[FIG. 7] A flowchart showing the process until an acceptable number of foods are brought into the main room of the vacuum chamber.
[FIG. 8] is a flowchart showing the time when food in the main chamber of the vacuum chamber is taken out from the vacuum chamber.
[FIG. 9] Another flow chart showing the time when food in the main chamber of the vacuum chamber is taken out from the vacuum chamber.
[FIG. 10] A schematic diagram showing the state in the vacuum chamber at step S35 in FIG. 8.
[FIG. 11] A schematic diagram showing the state in the vacuum chamber at step S35A in FIG. 9.
[FIG. 12] A schematic diagram showing the state in the vacuum chamber at step S35B in FIG. 9.

Hereinafter, the description will be made using the embodiment schematically shown in FIGS. 1 to 12. 1 is a plan view schematically showing the vacuum cooling device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1. Figure 3 is a plan view schematically showing the vacuum cooling device of the present invention. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the connection relationship between the control device and each device. Figure 6 is a flow chart showing the time when food is brought into the main room of the vacuum chamber. Figure 7 is a flow chart showing the time when an acceptable number of foods are brought into the main room of the processing chamber. Figure 8 is a flow chart showing the time when food in the main chamber of the vacuum chamber is taken out from the vacuum chamber. Figure 9 is another flow chart showing the time when food in the main chamber of the vacuum chamber is taken out from the vacuum chamber. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the state in the vacuum chamber at step S35 in FIG. 8. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the state in the vacuum chamber at step S35A of FIG. 9. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the state in the vacuum chamber at step S35B in FIG. 9.

The vacuum cooling device 1 for carrying out the vacuum cooling method of food according to the present invention includes a main chamber 10 and a decompression chamber 20 including at least an outer chamber 23 and an inner chamber 21 adjacent to the main chamber 10. ), and a vacuum chamber (2) consisting of a pressure chamber (30) including one or more chambers, and the food (F) to be cooled is placed in the main chamber (10) decompressed to the required atmospheric pressure for a predetermined cooling time (T). ) and vacuum cooled. The vacuum cooling device 1 is equipped with a control device 3 and various controls are performed. The necessary atmospheric pressure in the main chamber 10 is the atmospheric pressure that can vacuum cool the food to be cooled by the vacuum cooling method. Atmospheric pressure can be changed to pressure.

The vacuum cooling device 1 loads the food F that has been transported from a processing device (not shown) in the previous process through the inlet of the vacuum chamber 2 and vacuum cools it within the vacuum chamber 2. Afterwards, the cooled food F is taken out from the discharge port of the vacuum chamber 2. The food F taken out of the vacuum chamber 2 is conveyed to the processing equipment of the next process, etc.

For example, in the vacuum cooling device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, foods F are conveyed in units of four from the processing device in the previous process, so four foods F before vacuum cooling are Four foodstuffs F, which are brought into the vacuum chamber 2 at a time and vacuum cooled to a desired temperature within the vacuum chamber 2, are taken out from the vacuum chamber 2 at a time. At this time, the four foods F are moved in the left-right direction (Y shown in FIG. 1) when the direction in which the food F is loaded and taken out of the vacuum chamber 2 is the front-back direction (X direction shown in FIG. 1). are brought into the vacuum chamber (2) at a time while aligned in one row in the same direction, are vacuum cooled to the desired temperature within the vacuum chamber (2), and are then brought out of the vacuum chamber (2) at once in the same aligned state. is taken out

For example, in the vacuum cooling device 1 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, foods F are conveyed in units of 16 from the processing device in the previous process, so 16 foods F before vacuum cooling are Sixteen foods F, which are brought into the vacuum chamber 2 at a time and vacuum cooled to a desired temperature within the vacuum chamber 2, are taken out from the vacuum chamber 2 at a time. The 16 foods F are positioned in the left-right direction (Y-direction shown in FIG. 3) when the direction in which the food F is loaded and taken out of the vacuum chamber 2 is the front-back direction (X-direction shown in FIG. 3). Eight foods (F) arranged in one row are brought into the vacuum chamber (2) at a time while arranged in two rows, and after being vacuum cooled to the desired temperature within the vacuum chamber (2), they are placed in the same arrangement once. is carried out from within the vacuum chamber 2. It is not limited to a plurality of units such as the above-mentioned 4 units or 16 units, and may be one unit. In other words, it can be expressed as one unit or multiple units. Additionally, it is not limited to 1 or 2 rows as described above, and may be 3 or more rows. In other words, it can be changed to one column or multiple columns.

The vacuum cooling device 1 performs the carrying-in of the food F into the vacuum chamber 2, the transport of the food F within the vacuum chamber 2, and the removal of the food F from the vacuum chamber. For this purpose, a plurality of conveying devices 4 are provided where necessary. The conveying device 4 is, for example, a conveyor made of belts or rollers. Each conveyance device 4 is connected to the control device 3 and is controlled by the control device 3.

The vacuum chamber 2 includes a decompression chamber 20, a main chamber 10, and a return pressure chamber 30 so as to be connected in the direction of transporting the food F within the chamber. The entrance to the vacuum chamber 2 is also the entrance to the decompression chamber 20, and is provided with a door 5 for opening and closing. The outlet of the decompression chamber 20 is also the inlet of the adjacent main chamber 10, and a door 5 for opening and closing is provided. The exit of the main room 10 is also the entrance of the adjacent pressurization room 30, and a door 5 for opening and closing is provided. The outlet of the pressurization chamber 30 is also the outlet of the vacuum chamber 2, and a door 5 for opening and closing is provided. The food F is brought in from the inlet of the vacuum chamber 2, passes through the inside of the decompression chamber 20, the main chamber 10, and the inside of the return pressure chamber 30 in that order, and then comes out of the outlet of the vacuum chamber 2. is taken out

Each door 5 is opened to allow the food F to be taken out and brought in, and closed to create an airtight partition between the room and the room adjacent to the room, and between the room and the outside adjacent to the room. do. Each door 5 is opened and closed by a door opening and closing device 5a. Each door 5 is, for example, a shutter as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The door opening and closing device 5a can employ various driving devices such as pneumatic cylinders and electric actuators, for example. Each door opening and closing device 5a is connected to the control device 3 and is controlled by the control device 3.

The pressure reduction chamber 20 is provided with at least an outer chamber 23 and an inner chamber 21 so as to be connected in the direction of conveying the food F to be cooled. In the decompression chamber 20, at least one intermediate chamber 22 may be provided between the outer chamber 23 and the inner chamber 21. Even in the case where a plurality of intermediate chambers 22 are provided, the plurality of intermediate chambers 22 are installed so as to be connected in the direction in which the food product F to be cooled is conveyed.

For example, the pressure reduction chamber 20 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 consists of an outer chamber 23, an intermediate chamber 22, and an inner chamber 21 so as to be connected in the direction of transporting the food F to be cooled. There are 3 rooms installed. The entrance to the decompression chamber 20 is also the entrance to the outer chamber 23, and as described above, a door 5 for opening and closing is provided. The exit of the outer chamber 23 is also the entrance of the adjacent middle chamber 22, and a door 5 for opening and closing is provided. The outlet of the middle chamber 22 is also the outlet of the adjacent inner chamber 21, and a door 5 for opening and closing is provided. The outlet of the inner chamber 21 is also the outlet of the decompression chamber 20, and as described above, a door 5 for opening and closing is provided. The food F to be cooled is brought in from the inlet of the decompression chamber 20, passes through the outer chamber 23, the middle chamber 22, and the inner chamber 21 in that order, and passes through the outlet of the decompression chamber 20. After being taken out from, it is brought into the main room (10) adjacent to the decompression chamber (20).

The outer chamber 23 includes a pressure boosting device 232 for increasing the internal pressure to atmospheric pressure (P34), a vacuum device 231 for reducing the internal pressure to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33), and an atmospheric pressure sensor for detecting the internal pressure ( 233), a transport device 4 for transporting food F, and a door 5 are provided.

In the outer chamber 23, the internal pressure is increased to atmospheric pressure (P34) by the pressure boosting device 232, then the door 5 on the loading port side is opened to open the loading port to load the food F, and then the food F is brought in. The door 5 is closed to close the delivery port, the internal pressure is reduced to the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33) by the vacuum device 231, and then the door 5 on the discharge port side is opened to open the discharge port to remove the food (F). After the product is unloaded, the door 5 on the outlet side is closed to close the outlet.

The intermediate chamber 22 includes a pressure boosting device 222 for boosting the internal pressure to a predetermined atmospheric pressure P33 in the outer chamber 23, a vacuum device 221 for reducing the internal pressure to a predetermined atmospheric pressure P32, and , an atmospheric pressure sensor 223 for detecting internal pressure, a transport device 4 for transporting food F, and a door 5 are provided.

In the intermediate chamber 22, the internal pressure is boosted by the pressure boosting device 232 to the predetermined atmospheric pressure P33 in the outer chamber 23, and then the door 5 on the loading port side is opened to open the loading port to store the food (F). ) is loaded, the door 5 on the loading port side is closed to close the loading port, and the internal pressure is reduced to the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32) by the vacuum device 221, and then the door 5 on the loading port side is opened. A process of opening the discharge port to take out the food F and then closing the door 5 on the discharge port side to close the discharge port is performed.

The inner chamber 21 includes a pressure boosting device 212 for boosting the internal pressure to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32) in the intermediate chamber 22, and a vacuum for reducing the internal pressure to the required atmospheric pressure (P31) in the main chamber 10. It is provided with a device 211, an atmospheric pressure sensor 213 for detecting internal pressure, a transport device 4 for transporting food F, and a door 5.

In the inner chamber 21, the internal pressure is boosted to the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32) in the middle chamber 22 by the pressure boosting device 212, and then the door 5 on the loading port side is opened to open the loading port to store the food (F). ) is brought in, the door (5) on the loading port side is closed to close the loading port, and the internal pressure is reduced to the required atmospheric pressure (P31) in the main room (10) by the vacuum device (211), and then the loading port side door ( 5) is opened to open the discharge port to take out the food (F), and then the door 5 on the discharge port side is closed to close the discharge port.

The main chamber 10 is equipped with a vacuum device 211 for maintaining the internal pressure at the required atmospheric pressure P31 and a conveyance device 4 for conveying the food F. The main chamber 10 may be equipped with a pressure boosting device 102 for boosting the internal pressure to atmospheric pressure (P34), for example, after completing the work of vacuum cooling food and when performing maintenance work, etc. The main room 10 may be equipped with an atmospheric pressure sensor 103 for detecting internal pressure.

In the main room 10, the door 5 on the loading port side is opened to open the loading port to bring in the food F, and then the loading port side is closed to close the loading port, and the internal pressure is reduced to the necessary atmospheric pressure ( P31) is maintained, the food (F) is placed for a predetermined cooling time (T), the food (F) is vacuum cooled, and then the food (F) is taken out. That is, in the main room 10, the door 5 on the loading port side is opened to open the loading port to bring in the food F, and then the loading port side is closed to close the loading port, and internal pressure is required. After vacuum cooling the food (F) by placing it in a room maintained at atmospheric pressure (P31) for a predetermined cooling time (T), open the door (5) on the discharge port side and open the discharge port. After opening the food (F), a process of closing the door (5) on the outlet side is performed to close the outlet. The necessary atmospheric pressure in the main chamber 10 is the atmospheric pressure that can vacuum cool the food to be cooled by the vacuum cooling method.

The volume of the main chamber 10 is determined by the volume of the outer chamber 23 of the decompression chamber 20, the volume of the intermediate chamber 22 of the decompression chamber 20, and the volume of the inner chamber 21 of the decompression chamber 20. It may be formed larger than that. The volume of the outer chamber 23 of the decompression chamber 20, the volume of the intermediate chamber 22 of the decompression chamber 20, and the volume of the inner chamber 21 of the decompression chamber 20 may be formed to have the same size. The volume of the main chamber (10) is the same size as the volume of the outer chamber (23) of the decompression chamber (20), the volume of the intermediate chamber (22) of the decompression chamber (20), and the volume of the inner chamber (21) of the decompression chamber (20). It may be formed as The time from when the food F to be cooled is brought in from the loading port of the main room 10 until it is taken out from the loading port is the predetermined cooling time T.

The required atmospheric pressure (P31) in the main room 10 is lower than the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32) in the intermediate room 22 (P31<P32). For example, the required atmospheric pressure P31 is set to 17 hPa in absolute pressure. The predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32) in the middle chamber 22 is lower than the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33) in the outer chamber 23 (P32<P33). For example, the predetermined atmospheric pressure P32 is set to 350 hPa in absolute pressure. The predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33) in the outer room 23 is lower than the atmospheric pressure (P34) (P33<P34). For example, the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33) is set to 680hPa in absolute pressure. Atmospheric pressure (P34) is 1013hPa in absolute pressure. The increase/decrease amplitude of the internal pressure of each chamber 21, 22, and 23 in the decompression chamber 20 decreases as the number of chambers increases. In particular, since the time taken to reduce the internal pressure of each room 21, 22, and 23 can be shortened, the process time performed in each room can be shortened.

The compression chamber 30 includes one or more chambers. The pressure chamber 30 may include at least an inner chamber 31 and an outer chamber 33 so that they are connected in the direction of conveying the food F to be cooled. In the pressure chamber 30, at least one intermediate chamber 32 may be provided between the inner chamber 31 and the outer chamber 33. Even in the case where a plurality of intermediate chambers 22 are provided, the plurality of intermediate chambers 32 are installed so as to be connected in the direction in which the food product F to be cooled is conveyed. For example, if it is not necessary to restore the internal pressure in a short period of time, the one-room restoration chamber 30 or each chamber 31, 32, and 33 in the restoration chamber 30 is equipped with a boosting device and a vacuum device. There are times when you do not need to connect. However, it is not limited thereto, and a pressure boosting device (not shown) may be connected to a single decompression chamber 30 or to each room 31, 32, or 33 within the decompression chamber 30. A pressure boosting device (not shown) and a vacuum device (not shown) may be connected to the single-room decompression chamber 30 or to each room 31, 32, and 33 within the decompression chamber 30.

For example, the pressure chamber 30 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 consists of an inner chamber 31, an intermediate chamber 32, and an outer chamber 33 so that they are connected in the direction of transporting the food F to be cooled. There are 3 rooms installed. The entrance to the decompression chamber 30 is also the entrance to the inner chamber 31, and as described above, a door 5 for opening and closing is provided. The outlet of the inner chamber 31 is also the inlet of the adjacent middle chamber 32, and a door 5 for opening and closing is provided. The exit of the middle chamber 32 is also the entrance of the adjacent outer chamber 33, and a door 5 is provided for opening and closing. The outlet of the outer chamber 33 is also the outlet of the decompression chamber 30, and as described above, a door 5 for opening and closing is provided. The food F to be cooled is brought in from the inlet of the pressure chamber 30, passes through the inner chamber 31, the middle chamber 32, and the outer chamber 33 in that order, and then flows out of the discharge port of the pressure chamber 30. After being taken out, it is transported to another device that performs the process following the vacuum cooling process.

In the inner room 31, the door 5 on the loading port side is opened to open the loading port to bring in the food F, and then the loading port is closed by closing the door 5 on the loading port side, and the loading port side is opened. A process of opening (5) to open the discharge port to take out the food (F) and then closing the door (5) on the discharge port side to close the discharge port is performed.

In the intermediate room 32, the door 5 on the loading port side is opened to open the loading port to bring in the food F, and then the door 5 on the loading port side is closed to close the loading port, and the loading port side is opened. A process of opening the door 5 to open the discharge port to take out the food F and then closing the door 5 on the side of the discharge port to close the discharge port is performed.

In the outer room 33, the door 5 on the loading port side is opened to open the loading port to bring in the food F, and then the loading port is closed by closing the door 5 on the loading port side, and the loading port side is opened. A process of opening (5) to open the discharge port to take out the food (F) and then closing the door (5) on the discharge port side to close the discharge port is performed.

When a vacuum device (not shown) and a pressure booster device (not shown) are installed in the inner chamber 31, the middle chamber 32, and the outer chamber 33 of the pressure chamber 30, for example, they are configured as follows.

The inner chamber 31 includes a vacuum device (not shown) for reducing the internal pressure to the required atmospheric pressure (P31) in the main chamber (10), a pressure booster (not shown) for boosting the internal pressure to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32), and an internal pressure device (not shown). It is equipped with an air pressure sensor (not shown) for detecting, a transport device 4 for transporting food F, and a door 5. The predetermined atmospheric pressure P32 in the inner chamber 31 of the decompression chamber 30 may be set to the same atmospheric pressure as the predetermined atmospheric pressure P32 in the middle chamber 22 of the decompression chamber 20 described above, or may be set to another atmospheric pressure. It may be set to atmospheric pressure.

In the inner chamber 31, the internal pressure is increased to the required atmospheric pressure P31 of the main chamber 10 by a vacuum device (not shown), and then the door 5 on the loading port side is opened to open the loading port to load the food F. After that, close the door (5) on the inlet side to close the inlet, increase the internal pressure to the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32) using a pressure boosting device (not shown), and then open the door (5) on the outlet side to open the outlet. A process is performed to open the food (F) and then close the door (5) on the outlet side to close the outlet.

The intermediate chamber 32 includes a vacuum device (not shown) for reducing the internal pressure to the required atmospheric pressure (P32) in the inner chamber (31), a pressure boosting device (not shown) for boosting the internal pressure to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33), It is equipped with an air pressure sensor (not shown) for detecting internal pressure, a transport device 4 for transporting food F, and a door 5. The predetermined atmospheric pressure P33 in the middle chamber 32 of the decompression chamber 30 may be set to the same atmospheric pressure as the predetermined atmospheric pressure P33 in the outer chamber 23 of the decompression chamber 20, or may be set to another atmospheric pressure. It may be set to atmospheric pressure.

In the intermediate chamber 32, the internal pressure is reduced to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32) in the inner chamber 31 using a vacuum device (not shown), and then the door 5 on the loading port side is opened to open the loading port to open the food (F) ) is brought in, the door 5 on the inlet side is closed to close the inlet, and the internal pressure is increased to the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33) by a pressure boosting device (not shown), and then the door 5 on the outlet side is opened. A process of opening the discharge port to take out the food F and then closing the door 5 on the discharge port side to close the discharge port is performed.

The outer chamber 33 includes a vacuum device (not shown) for reducing the internal pressure to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33) in the middle chamber (32), a pressure booster (not shown) for increasing the internal pressure to atmospheric pressure (P34), and an internal pressure device (not shown). It is equipped with an air pressure sensor (not shown) for detecting, a transport device 4 for transporting food F, and a door 5.

In the outer chamber 33, the internal pressure is reduced to the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33) in the middle chamber 32 by a vacuum device (not shown), and then the door 5 on the loading port side is opened to open the loading port to open the food (F) ) is brought in, close the door (5) on the inlet side to close the inlet, increase the internal pressure to atmospheric pressure (P34) using a pressure boosting device (not shown), and then open the door (5) on the discharge side. A process is performed to open the food (F) and then close the door (5) on the outlet side to close the outlet.

The required atmospheric pressure (P31) in the main chamber 10 is lower than the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32) in the inner chamber 31 (P31<P32). For example, the required atmospheric pressure P31 is set to 17 hPa in absolute pressure. The predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32) in the inner chamber 31 is lower than the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33) in the middle chamber 32 (P32<P33). For example, the predetermined atmospheric pressure P32 is set to 350 hPa in absolute pressure. The predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33) in the intermediate room 32 is lower than the atmospheric pressure (P34) (P33<P34). For example, the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33) is set to 680hPa in absolute pressure. Atmospheric pressure (P34) is 1013hPa in absolute pressure. Similar to the decompression chamber 20 described above, the increase/decrease amplitude of the internal pressure of each chamber 31, 32, and 33 in the decompression chamber 30 decreases as the number of chambers increases. In particular, since the time required to reduce the internal pressure of each room 31, 32, and 33 can be shortened, the process time performed in each room can be shortened.

Each of the boosting devices 102, 212, 222, and 232, for example, opens one port to the atmosphere, and opens the other port to the corresponding chambers 10, 21, ( It may be an on-off valve connected to 22) and (23). Control of each opening/closing valve is performed by the control device 3, for example. For example, when the control device 3 increases the internal pressure of the outer chamber 23 in the decompression chamber 20, it opens the opening/closing valve connected to the outer chamber 23, and the outer chamber (233) detected by the atmospheric pressure sensor 233 When the internal pressure of 23) reaches atmospheric pressure (P34), the open/close valve connected to the external chamber is controlled to close. For example, when the control device 3 increases the internal pressure of the intermediate chamber 22 in the decompression chamber 20, it opens the opening/closing valve connected to the intermediate chamber 22 and detects it by the atmospheric pressure sensor 223. When the internal pressure of the intermediate chamber 22 reaches a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33), the opening/closing valve connected to the intermediate chamber 22 is controlled to close. For example, when the control device 3 increases the internal pressure of the inner chamber 21 in the decompression chamber 20, it opens the opening/closing valve connected to the inner chamber 21, and the inner chamber detected by the atmospheric pressure sensor 213 When the internal pressure of (21) reaches a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32), the opening/closing valve connected to the internal chamber (21) is controlled to close. For example, when the control device 3 increases the internal pressure of the main chamber 10, it opens the open/close valve connected to the main chamber 10, and the internal pressure of the main chamber 10 detected by the atmospheric pressure sensor 103 is atmospheric pressure. When (P34) is reached, the open/close valve is controlled to close. The case where a vacuum device (not shown) and a pressure booster device (not shown) are installed in the inner chamber 31, the middle chamber 32, and the outer chamber 33 of the decompression chamber 30 are the same as the case of the decompression chamber 20.

Each vacuum device 101, 231, 221, and 211 is, for example, a vacuum pump. The vacuum device 101 connected to the main chamber 10 cools the food F by the heat of vaporization when moisture is evaporated from the food F by reducing the internal pressure of the main chamber 10 to the required atmospheric pressure P31. Since it is used for this purpose, it is provided with a cold trap (not shown) that condenses evaporated moisture and returns it to water, and a water receiving tank (not shown) that accommodates the water. The vacuum device 211 connected to the inner chamber 21 of the decompression chamber 20 is connected to the main chamber 10 because the lower limit of the internal pressure of the inner chamber 21 is the required atmospheric pressure P31 in the main chamber 10. Like the vacuum device 101, a cold trap and a water receiving tank may be provided. If necessary, a cold trap and a water receiving tank may be provided for each vacuum device connected to other rooms.

The internal pressure of the inner chamber (21) in the decompression chamber (20) is increased from the required atmospheric pressure (P31) in the main chamber (10) to the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32) in the intermediate chamber (22). The pressure is reduced from the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32) in the main room 10 to the required atmospheric pressure (P31), and the corresponding pressure increase and corresponding pressure reduction are alternately repeated. The required atmospheric pressure (P31) in the main room 10 is a high degree of vacuum. The time for depressurizing from the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32) in the intermediate chamber 22 to the required atmospheric pressure (P31) in the main chamber 10 is preferably as short as possible.

For example, the vacuum device 211 connected to the inner chamber 21 of the decompression chamber 20 includes two vacuum pumps 211A and 211B in the inner chamber 21 of the decompression chamber 20 to increase the exhaust volume. ) may be connected separately.

For example, the vacuum device 211 connected to the inner chamber 21 of the pressure reduction chamber 20 includes a vacuum pump 211A that can reduce pressure in a short time if the vacuum degree is low or medium, and a vacuum pump that can reduce pressure in a short time if the degree of vacuum is high. A configuration in which (211B) can be switched may be used.

For example, the vacuum device 211 may be provided with a plurality of buffer tanks 211C, 211D, and 211E. Each of the buffer tanks 211C, 211D, and 211E is equipped with a vacuum pump to depressurize the tank to an atmospheric pressure that can reduce the internal pressure of the inner chamber 21 of the decompression chamber 20. For example, each time the internal pressure of the inner chamber 21 of the pressure reduction chamber 20 is reduced, one of the plurality of buffer tanks 211C, 211D, and 211E is sequentially connected to the inner chamber 21. Quickly reduce the internal pressure in (21). By installing a plurality of buffer tanks 211C, 211D, and 211E, for example, when buffer tank 211C is connected to the inner chamber 21, the remaining buffer tanks 211D, 211E are each The tank pressure is reduced by a vacuum pump. Next, when the buffer tank 211D is connected to the inner chamber 21, the remaining buffer tanks 211C and 211E depressurize the inside of the tank by their respective vacuum pumps. Also, when the buffer tank 211E is connected to the inner chamber 21, the remaining buffer tanks 211C and 211D have their tank pressures reduced by their respective vacuum pumps. When connecting the buffer tanks 211C, 211D, and 211E to the inner chamber 21 by repeating this, the internal pressure of the buffer tanks 211C, 211D, and 211E can be sufficiently reduced in advance. . The connection switching between each buffer tank (211C), (211D), and (211E) and the inner chamber (21) is made by a control valve, and the control valve is also connected to the control device (3) and controlled by the control device (3). can do.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the transfer device 4 is installed inside the outer chamber 23 of the decompression chamber 20, other than the loading port of the outer chamber 23 in the decompression chamber 20, Inside the intermediate chamber 22 of the decompression chamber 20, within the inner chamber 21 of the decompression chamber 20, within the main chamber 10, within the inner chamber 31 of the decompression chamber 30, and in the middle of the decompression chamber 30. They are installed inside the chamber 32, inside the outer chamber 33 of the decompression chamber 30, and in addition to the discharge port of the outer chamber 33 from the decompression chamber 30. As described above, the disturbance at the entrance of the outer chamber 23 in the decompression chamber 20 is outside the entrance into the decompression chamber 20 and outside the entrance into the vacuum chamber 2. The discharge port of the outer chamber 33 in the pressurization chamber 30 is outside the discharge port of the pressurization chamber 30, and is outside the discharge port of the vacuum chamber 2.

As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 5, the control device 3 includes each vacuum device 101, 211, 221, and 231, and each pressure booster device 102, 212, and 222. ), 232, each atmospheric pressure sensor 103, 233, 223, 213, each conveyance device 4, and each door opening and closing device 5a are connected to control them. If the pressure chamber 30 is also equipped with a vacuum device (not shown), a pressure booster (not shown), and an atmospheric pressure sensor (not shown), they are also connected to the control device 3 and controlled.

The control device 3 processes each room 10, 21, 22, 23, and 31 within an allowable processing time (Td) calculated in advance based on a predetermined cooling time (T). , (32), and (33), the operation of each door opening and closing device (5a) to open and close each door (5) installed at each loading port and each loading port and each vacuum device to complete the work of each process performed respectively. The operation of (211), (221), and (231), the operation of each pressure boosting device (212), (222), and (232), and the driving of each conveying device (4) are controlled. Control of the vacuum device 101, which reduces the internal pressure of the main chamber 10, and control of the booster 102, which boosts the internal pressure of the main chamber 10, basically reduces the internal pressure of the main chamber 10 to the required atmospheric pressure (P31). Since it only needs to be controlled to maintain it, it is excluded from the control target in the process performed in the main room 10 within the allowable processing time (Td). However, if necessary, control of the vacuum device 101 for reducing the internal pressure of the main chamber 10 and control of the boosting device 102 for boosting the internal pressure of the main chamber 10 may be performed within the allowable processing time Td. It may be added to the control object in the process performed in 10). In the process work carried out in the main room 10, the work that needs to be performed within the allowable processing time (Td) is to open the door 5, open the entry port, bring in the food F, and then open the door 5 ) is closed to close the entry port, the door (5) is opened to open the exit port, and the vacuum-cooled food (F) is taken out by leaving it in the main room (10) for a predetermined cooling time (T) and then opening the door ( 5) is the task of closing the discharge port. However, if there are other necessary operations, they may be included in the operations performed within the allowable processing time (Td) in the process performed in the main room 10.

The predetermined cooling time T is the time required to cool the food F from the temperature before cooling to the desired cooling temperature when vacuum cooling the food F in the main chamber 10. For example, if it takes 3 minutes to vacuum cool food F at 70°C to 10°C in the main room 10, the predetermined cooling time T is 3 minutes.

The allowable processing time (Td) corresponds to the predetermined cooling time (T) when multiple foods (F) are placed in the main room (10) at the same time in the order in which they are brought in and returned from the main room (10). It is calculated in advance as the time divided by the number (N) of multiple foods (F) placed at the same time (Td = T÷N). The allowable processing time Td may be calculated in advance by the operator and then set in advance in the control device 3 by the operator using an input device (not shown) connected to the control device 3. The operator uses an input device connected to the control device 3 to input a predetermined cooling time (T) and the number (N) of the above-described plurality of foods (F) placed at the same time into the control device (3), thereby allowing the operator to You may have the control device 3 calculate and set the processing time Td in advance.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the number of foods (F) (N) that can be placed in plural at the same time are arranged in order in the direction in which the foods (F) are sequentially brought in and transported within the main room 10. ) is 9. If the desired cooling time (T) is 3 minutes, the allowable processing time (Td) is 20 seconds.

For example, when the food F brought into the main chamber 10 by one unloading from the inner chamber 21 of the decompression chamber 20 is arranged in one or more pieces in the conveyance direction, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. There is. For example, the number (M) of foods (F) arranged in the transport direction in the food (F) brought into the main chamber (10) by one unloading from the inner chamber (21) of the decompression chamber (20) is allowed. It can be used to calculate the processing time (Td). The allowable processing time (Td) corresponds to the predetermined cooling time (T) when multiple foods (F) are placed in the main room (10) at the same time in the order in which they are brought in and returned from the main room (10). The time may be calculated in advance by dividing the result by the number (N) of a plurality of foods (F) placed at the same time and multiplying the result by the above-mentioned number (M) (Td = (T÷N) × M)

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the number of foods (F) (N) that can be placed in plural at the same time are arranged in order in the direction in which the foods (F) are sequentially brought in and transported within the main room 10. ) is 18. The number M of food items F, which are brought into the main room 10 by one unloading from the inner room 21 of the decompression chamber 20, arranged in the transport direction is two. If the desired cooling time (T) is 3 minutes, the allowable processing time (Td) is 20 seconds.

From here on, in the vacuum cooling device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the food F is brought in from the inlet of the vacuum chamber 2 and then placed in the vacuum chamber. The flow from the discharge port in (2) until discharge will be explained. In the main room 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, nine food items F can be placed simultaneously in the direction of transport of the food items F, but in the following description, this number is set to three.

The flow chart shown in FIG. 6 shows the flow until food is brought into the main chamber of the vacuum chamber. As a preparation step, the internal pressure of the outer chamber 23 (hereinafter referred to as the outer chamber 23) of the decompression chamber 20 is increased to atmospheric pressure (P34), and the intermediate chamber 22 (hereinafter referred to as the middle) of the decompression chamber 20 is increased. The internal pressure of the chamber 22 (hereinafter referred to as the inner chamber 21) is reduced to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33), and the internal pressure of the inner chamber 21 (hereinafter referred to as the inner chamber 21) of the decompression chamber 20 is reduced to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32). The pressure is reduced, and the internal pressure of the main chamber 10 is reduced to the required atmospheric pressure (P31). Here, the required atmospheric pressure (P31) in the main room 10 is lower than the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32) (P31<P32). For example, the required atmospheric pressure P31 is set to 17 hPa in absolute pressure. The predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32) is lower than the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33) (P32<P33). For example, the predetermined atmospheric pressure P32 is set to 350 hPa in absolute pressure. The predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33) is lower than the atmospheric pressure (P34) (P33<P34). For example, the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33) is set to 680hPa in absolute pressure.

(Step S1) Food F arrives outside the loading port of the vacuum chamber 2.

(Step S2) Since the internal pressure of the outer chamber 23 has already been increased to atmospheric pressure (P34), the door 5 between the outside of the vacuum chamber 2 and the outer chamber 23 is opened to allow food to enter the outer chamber 23 from the outside. Return (F).

(Step S3) The door 5 between the outside of the vacuum chamber 2 and the outer chamber 23 is closed.

(Step S4) The internal pressure of the outer chamber 23 is reduced to a predetermined atmospheric pressure P33.

(Step S5) Since the internal pressure of the middle chamber 22 has already been reduced to the predetermined atmospheric pressure P33, the door 5 between the outer chamber 23 and the middle chamber 22 is opened to open the middle chamber from the outer chamber 23. Return the food (F) to (22).

(Step S6) Close the door 5 between the outer chamber 23 and the middle chamber 22.

(Step S7) Food F arrives outside the loading port of the vacuum chamber 2. The internal pressure of the outer chamber (23) is increased to atmospheric pressure (P34). The internal pressure of the intermediate chamber 22 is reduced to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32).

(Step S8) The door 5 between the outside of the vacuum chamber 2 and the outer chamber 23 is opened to transport the food F from the outside to the outer chamber 23. Since the internal pressure of the inner chamber (21) has already been reduced to the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32), the door (5) between the middle chamber (22) and the inner chamber (21) is opened to allow food to pass from the middle chamber (22) to the inner chamber (21). Return (F).

(Step S9) The door 5 between the outside of the vacuum chamber 2 and the outer chamber 23 is closed. Close the door (5) between the middle room (22) and the inner room (21).

(Step S10) The internal pressure of the outer chamber 23 is reduced to a predetermined atmospheric pressure P33. The internal pressure of the intermediate chamber 22 is increased to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33). The internal pressure of the internal chamber (21) is reduced to the required atmospheric pressure (P31).

(Step S11) The door 5 between the outer chamber 23 and the middle chamber 22 is opened to transport the food F from the outer chamber 23 to the middle chamber 22. Since the internal pressure of the main chamber (10) has already been reduced to the required atmospheric pressure (P31), open the door (5) between the inner chamber (21) and the main chamber (10) to transfer the food (F) from the inner chamber (21) to the main chamber (10). returns.

(Step S12) The door 5 between the outer chamber 23 and the middle chamber 22 is closed. Close the door (5) between the inner room (21) and the main room (10).

(Step S13) Food F arrives outside the loading port of the vacuum chamber 2. The internal pressure of the outer chamber (23) is increased to atmospheric pressure (P34). The internal pressure of the intermediate chamber 22 is reduced to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32). The internal pressure of the inner chamber (21) is increased to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32).

The flow chart shown in FIG. 7 shows the flow until an acceptable number of foods are brought into the main chamber of the vacuum chamber.

(Step S14) The door 5 between the outside of the vacuum chamber 2 and the outer chamber 23 is opened to transport the food F from the outside to the outer chamber 23. The door 5 between the middle chamber 22 and the inner chamber 21 is opened to transport the food F from the middle chamber 22 to the inner chamber 21.

(Step S15) The door 5 between the outside of the vacuum chamber 2 and the outer chamber 23 is closed. Close the door (5) between the middle room (22) and the inner room (21).

(Step S16) The internal pressure of the outer chamber 23 is reduced to a predetermined atmospheric pressure P33. The internal pressure of the intermediate chamber 22 is increased to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33). The internal pressure of the internal chamber (21) is reduced to the required atmospheric pressure (P31).

(Step S17) The door 5 between the outer chamber 23 and the middle chamber 22 is opened to transfer the food F from the outer chamber 23 to the middle chamber 22. The door 5 between the inner chamber 21 and the main chamber 10 is opened to transport the food F from the inner chamber 21 to the main chamber 10. At this time, the elapsed time from step S11 to step S17 can be said to be the allowable processing time (Td).

(Step S18) The door 5 between the outer chamber 23 and the middle chamber 22 is closed. Close the door (5) between the inner room (21) and the main room (10).

(Step S19) Food F arrives outside the loading port of the vacuum chamber 2. The internal pressure of the outer chamber (23) is increased to atmospheric pressure (P34). The internal pressure of the intermediate chamber 22 is reduced to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32). The internal pressure of the inner chamber (21) is increased to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32).

(Step S20) The door 5 between the outside of the vacuum chamber 2 and the outer chamber 23 is opened to transport the food F from the outside to the outer chamber 23. The door 5 between the middle chamber 22 and the inner chamber 21 is opened to transport the food F from the middle chamber 22 to the inner chamber 21.

(Step S21) The door 5 between the outside of the vacuum chamber 2 and the outer chamber 23 is closed. Close the door (5) between the middle room (22) and the inner room (21).

(Step S22) The internal pressure of the outer chamber 23 is reduced to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33). The internal pressure of the intermediate chamber 22 is increased to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33). The internal pressure of the internal chamber (21) is reduced to the required atmospheric pressure (P31).

(Step S23) The door 5 between the outer chamber 23 and the middle chamber 22 is opened to transport the food F from the outer chamber 23 to the middle chamber 22. The door 5 between the inner chamber 21 and the main chamber 10 is opened to transport the food F from the inner chamber 21 to the main chamber 10. At this time, the elapsed time from step S17 to step S23 can be said to be the allowable processing time (Td). Also, at this time, the main room 10 is filled with an acceptable number of foods F. The food F in the main room 10 is listed in order from the longest time it has been stored.

(Step S24) The door 5 between the outer chamber 23 and the middle chamber 22 is closed. Close the door (5) between the inner room (21) and the main room (10).

(Step S25) Food F arrives outside the loading port of the vacuum chamber 2. The internal pressure of the outer chamber (23) is increased to atmospheric pressure (P34). The internal pressure of the intermediate chamber 22 is reduced to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32). The internal pressure of the inner chamber (21) is increased to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32).

The flow chart shown in FIG. 8 shows the flow until the food in the main chamber of the vacuum chamber is taken out from the vacuum chamber. The inner chamber 31 of the compression chamber 30 (hereinafter referred to as the inner chamber 31), the intermediate chamber 32 of the compression chamber 30 (hereinafter referred to as the intermediate chamber 32), and the compression chamber 30. The outer chamber 33 (hereinafter referred to as the outer chamber 33) is described as one in which the vacuum device and the pressure booster device are not connected.

(Step S26) The door 5 between the outside of the vacuum chamber 2 and the outer chamber 23 is opened to transport the food F from the outside to the outer chamber 23. The door 5 between the middle chamber 22 and the inner chamber 21 is opened to transport the food F from the middle chamber 22 to the inner chamber 21.

(Step S27) The door 5 between the outside of the vacuum chamber 2 and the outer chamber 23 is closed. Close the door (5) between the middle room (22) and the inner room (21).

(Step S28) The internal pressure of the outer chamber 23 is reduced to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33). The internal pressure of the intermediate chamber 22 is increased to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33). The internal pressure of the internal chamber (21) is reduced to the required atmospheric pressure (P31).

(Step S29) The door 5 between the outer chamber 23 and the middle chamber 22 is opened to transport the food F from the outer chamber 23 to the middle chamber 22. Open the door 5 between the inner chamber 21 and the main chamber 10 and the door 5 between the main chamber 10 and the inner chamber 31 to transfer the food F from the main chamber 10 to the inner chamber 31. In addition, food (F) is returned from the inner room (21) to the main room (10). At this time, the food F taken out of the main room 10 is the food F brought into the main room 10 in step S11. Therefore, the elapsed time from step S11 to step S29 can be said to be a predetermined cooling time (T). Also, at this time, the elapsed time from step S23 to step S29 can be said to be the allowable processing time (Td).

(Step S30) Close the door 5 between the outer chamber 23 and the middle chamber 22. Close the door 5 between the inner chamber 21 and the main chamber 10 and the door 5 between the main chamber 10 and the inner chamber 31.

(Step S31) Food F arrives outside the loading port of the vacuum chamber 2. The internal pressure of the outer chamber (23) is increased to atmospheric pressure (P34). The internal pressure of the intermediate chamber 22 is reduced to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32). The internal pressure of the inner chamber (21) is increased to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32).

(Step S32) The door 5 between the outside of the vacuum chamber 2 and the outer chamber 23 is opened to transport the food F from the outside to the outer chamber 23. The door 5 between the middle chamber 22 and the inner chamber 21 is opened to transport the food F from the middle chamber 22 to the inner chamber 21. The door 5 between the inner chamber 31 and the middle chamber 32 is opened to transport the food F from the inner chamber 31 to the middle chamber 32.

(Step S33) The door 5 between the outside of the vacuum chamber 2 and the outer chamber 23 is closed. Close the door (5) between the middle room (22) and the inner room (21). Close the door (5) between the inner room (31) and the middle room (32).

(Step S34) The internal pressure of the outer chamber 23 is reduced to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33). The internal pressure of the intermediate chamber 22 is increased to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33). The internal pressure of the internal chamber (21) is reduced to the required atmospheric pressure (P31).

(Step S35) The door 5 between the outer chamber 23 and the middle chamber 22 is opened to transfer the food F from the outer chamber 23 to the middle chamber 22. Open the door 5 between the inner chamber 21 and the main chamber 10 and the door 5 between the main chamber 10 and the inner chamber 31 to transfer the food F from the main chamber 10 to the inner chamber 31. In addition, food (F) is returned from the inner room (21) to the main room (10). The door 5 between the middle chamber 32 and the outer chamber 33 is opened to transfer the food F from the middle chamber 32 to the outer chamber 33. At this time, the food F taken out of the main room 10 is the food F brought into the main room 10 in step S17. Therefore, the elapsed time from step S17 to step S29 can be said to be a predetermined cooling time (T). Also, at this time, the elapsed time from step S29 to step S35 can be said to be the allowable processing time (Td). Figure 10 schematically shows the state in the vacuum chamber at this time.

(Step S36) The door 5 between the outer chamber 23 and the middle chamber 22 is closed. Close the door 5 between the inner chamber 21 and the main chamber 10 and the door 5 between the main chamber 10 and the inner chamber 31. Close the door (5) between the middle room (32) and the outer room (33).

(Step S37) Food F arrives outside the loading port of the vacuum chamber 2. The internal pressure of the outer chamber (23) is increased to atmospheric pressure (P34). The internal pressure of the intermediate chamber 22 is reduced to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32). The internal pressure of the inner chamber (21) is increased to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32).

(Step S38) The door 5 between the outside of the vacuum chamber 2 and the outer chamber 23 is opened to transport the food F from the outside to the outer chamber 23. The door 5 between the middle chamber 22 and the inner chamber 21 is opened to transport the food F from the middle chamber 22 to the inner chamber 21. The door 5 between the inner chamber 31 and the middle chamber 32 is opened to transport the food F from the inner chamber 31 to the middle chamber 32. The door 5 between the outer chamber 33 and the outside of the vacuum chamber 2 is opened to transport the food F from the outer chamber 23 to the outside.

(Step S39) The door 5 between the outside of the vacuum chamber 2 and the outer chamber 23 is closed. Close the door (5) between the middle room (22) and the inner room (21). Close the door (5) between the inner room (31) and the middle room (32). Close the door 5 between the outer chamber 33 and the outside of the vacuum chamber 2. The food F transported out of the discharge port of the vacuum chamber 2 is transported to another device that performs the next processing step. Afterwards, it returns to step S34 and repeats steps S34 to S39.

The flow chart shown in FIG. 9 shows another flow until the food in the main chamber of the vacuum chamber is taken out from the vacuum chamber. The difference is that step S29 in the above-described flow is replaced with step S29A and step S29B, step S35A in the above-described flow is replaced with step S35A and step S35B, and the inner chamber 31 of the decompression chamber 30 , a vacuum device (not shown) and a pressure booster (not shown) are connected to the middle chamber (32) and the outer chamber (33), respectively, to increase or decrease the internal pressure of each chamber (31), (32), and (33), and then to open each door. The point is to open and close (5).

In steps S29A and S35A, the door 5 between the inner chamber 21 and the main chamber 10 is closed, and the door 5 between the main chamber 10 and the inner chamber 31 is opened to enter the inner chamber (10). Return the food (F) to 31). The state within the vacuum chamber at this time is shown in a schematic diagram of FIG. 11. In steps S29B and S35B, the door 5 between the main chamber 10 and the inner chamber 31 is closed, and the door 5 between the inner chamber 21 and the main chamber 10 is opened to access the inner chamber 21 from the main chamber. Return the food (F) to (10). The state within the vacuum chamber at this time is shown in a schematic diagram of FIG. 12. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, steps S29A, S29B, S35A, and S35B are performed by dividing the transfer device 4 provided in the main room 10 into at least two transfer devices on the inlet and outlet sides. This is possible by configuring it as (4) and driving and controlling it separately.

In this flow, after reducing the internal pressure of the inner chamber 31 to the required atmospheric pressure P31, the door 5 between the main chamber 10 and the inner chamber 31 is opened to allow food (F) to enter the inner chamber 31 from the main chamber 10. ) must be returned. In this flow, the internal pressure of the inner chamber 31 is increased to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32), and the internal pressure of the intermediate chamber 32 is reduced to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P32), and then the inner chamber 31 and the intermediate chamber 32 are The food (F) is transported from the inner chamber (31) to the middle chamber (32) by opening the door (5) in between. In this flow, the internal pressure of the middle chamber 32 is increased to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33), and the internal pressure of the outer chamber 33 is increased to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P33), and then the intermediate chamber 32 and the outer chamber 33 The food (F) is transported from the middle chamber (32) to the outer chamber (33) by opening the door (5) in between. In this flow, the internal pressure of the outer chamber 33 is increased to atmospheric pressure, and then the door 5 between the outer chamber 33 and the outside of the vacuum chamber 2 is opened to transport the food F from the outer chamber 33 to the outside. .

Up to this point, the embodiment of the decompression chamber 20 consisting of three chambers, the outer chamber 23, the middle chamber 22, and the inner chamber 21, has been described as an example, but it is not limited thereto. The embodiment of the decompression chamber 30 consisting of three chambers, the inner chamber 31, the middle chamber 32, and the outer chamber 33, has been described as an example, but is not limited thereto. Hereinafter, other embodiments will be described. Descriptions of configurations and operations similar to those described above will be omitted.

For example, the pressure reduction chamber 20 may be composed of two chambers, an outer chamber and an inner chamber, so that they are connected in the direction of transporting the food F. In the outer chamber of the decompression chamber 20, the internal pressure is increased to atmospheric pressure (P23), the loading port is opened, the food F is brought in, the loading port is closed, and the internal pressure is reduced to the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P22). A process of opening the discharge port to transport the food (F) and then closing the discharge port is performed. In the inner chamber of the decompression chamber 20, the internal pressure is increased to the predetermined atmospheric pressure P22 in the outer chamber, the inlet is opened, the food F is brought in, and the inlet is closed, and the internal pressure is increased to the predetermined atmospheric pressure P22 in the main chamber 10. A process of reducing the pressure to the required atmospheric pressure (P21), opening the discharge port, discharging the food (F), and then closing the discharge port is performed. That is, when the internal pressure of the adjacent outer chamber and the internal pressure of the inner chamber are both at a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P22) in the outer chamber, the food F moves from the outer chamber to the inner chamber. Here, the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P22) in the outer room is lower than the atmospheric pressure (P23) (P22<P23). The required atmospheric pressure (P21) of the main room 10 is lower than the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P22) (P21<P22).

For example, the pressure reduction chamber 20 may be composed of four chambers: an outer chamber, a second intermediate chamber, a first intermediate chamber, and an inner chamber, so that they are connected in the direction of transporting the food F. In the outer chamber of the decompression chamber 20, the internal pressure is increased to atmospheric pressure (P45), the inlet is opened, the food F is brought in, the inlet is closed, and the internal pressure is reduced to the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P44). A process of opening the discharge port to transport the food (F) and then closing the discharge port is performed. In the second intermediate chamber of the decompression chamber 20, the internal pressure is increased to the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P44) in the external chamber, the inlet is opened, the food F is brought in, and the inlet is closed, and the internal pressure is set to a predetermined level. A process of reducing the pressure to atmospheric pressure (P43), opening the discharge port, discharging the food F, and then closing the discharge port is performed. In the first intermediate chamber of the decompression chamber 20, the internal pressure is increased to the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P43) in the second intermediate chamber, the inlet is opened, the food F is brought in, and then the inlet is closed, and the inlet is closed. A process is performed of decompressing to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P42), opening the discharge port, discharging the food F, and then closing the discharge port. In the inner room of the decompression chamber 20, the internal pressure is increased to the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P42) in the first intermediate room, the inlet is opened, the food F is brought in, and the inlet is closed, and the internal pressure is reduced to the main room ( After reducing the pressure to the required atmospheric pressure (P41) in 10), the discharge port is opened, the food (F) is transported out, and then the discharge port is closed. That is, when the internal pressure of the adjacent outer chamber and the internal pressure of the second intermediate chamber are both at a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P44) in the outer chamber, the food F moves from the outer chamber to the second intermediate chamber. When the internal pressure of the adjacent second intermediate chamber and the internal pressure of the first intermediate chamber are both at a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P43) in the second intermediate chamber, the food F moves from the second intermediate chamber to the first intermediate chamber. When the internal pressure of the adjacent first intermediate chamber and the internal pressure of the inner chamber are both at a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P42) in the first intermediate chamber, the food F moves from the first intermediate chamber to the inner chamber. Here, the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P44) in the outer room is lower than the atmospheric pressure P45 (P44<P45). The predetermined atmospheric pressure (P43) in the second intermediate room is lower than the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P44) in the outer room (P43<P44). The predetermined atmospheric pressure (P42) in the first intermediate room is lower than the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P43) in the second intermediate room (P42<P43). The required atmospheric pressure (P41) in the main room 10 is lower than the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P42) in the first intermediate room (P41<P42).

For example, there may be only one decompression room 30. In the one-room compression chamber 30, even if the process of opening the loading port to bring in the food (F) and closing the loading port, then opening the loading port to take out the food (F) and closing the shipping port is carried out. good night. In the one-room pressurization chamber 30, a pressure boosting device is provided, the loading port is opened, food F is brought in, the loading port is closed, and the internal pressure is boosted to atmospheric pressure by the pressure boosting device, and then the loading port is opened. Thus, a process of taking out the food (F) and closing the outlet may be performed. In the one-room decompression chamber 30, a vacuum device and a pressure booster are provided, and the internal pressure is reduced to the required atmospheric pressure in the main room 10 by the vacuum device, and then the inlet is opened to bring in the food F. After closing, a process of increasing the internal pressure to atmospheric pressure by a pressure boosting device, opening the discharge port, discharging the food F, and closing the discharge port may be performed.

For example, the pressure chamber 30 may be composed of two chambers, an inner chamber and an outer chamber, so that they are connected in the direction of transporting the food F. The two rooms do not need to be equipped with a vacuum device and a pressure boosting device, respectively. The two rooms may be equipped with a boosting device. The two rooms may each be equipped with a vacuum device and a pressure boosting device. For example, in the case where a vacuum device and a pressure booster are provided, it is as follows. In the inner room of the pressurization chamber 30, the internal pressure is increased to the required atmospheric pressure (P21) of the main room 10, the loading port is opened, the food F is brought in, and the loading port is closed, and the internal pressure is set to a predetermined atmospheric pressure ( A process of increasing the pressure to P22), opening the discharge port, discharging the food (F), and then closing the discharge port is performed. In the outer chamber of the abdominal pressure chamber 30, the internal pressure is reduced to the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P22) in the inner chamber, the inlet is opened, food F is brought in, the inlet is closed, and the internal pressure is increased to atmospheric pressure (P23). Then, the process of opening the outlet to take out the food (F) and then closing the outlet is performed. That is, when the internal pressure of the adjacent outer chamber and the internal pressure of the inner chamber are both at a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P22) in the inner chamber, the food F moves from the inner chamber to the outer chamber. Here, the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P22) in the inner room is lower than the atmospheric pressure (P23) (P22<P23). The required atmospheric pressure (P21) in the main room 10 is lower than the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P22) in the inner room (P21<P22).

For example, the pressure chamber 30 may be composed of four chambers: an inner chamber, a first intermediate chamber, a second intermediate chamber, and an outer chamber so as to be connected in the direction in which the food F is transported. Each of the four rooms does not need to be equipped with a vacuum device and a pressure booster device. The four rooms may be equipped with a boosting device. The four rooms may each be equipped with a vacuum device and a pressure boosting device. For example, in the case where a vacuum device and a pressure booster are provided, it is as follows. In the inner room of the pressurization chamber 30, the internal pressure is increased to the required atmospheric pressure (P41) of the main room 10, the loading port is opened, the food F is brought in, and the loading port is closed, and the internal pressure is set to a predetermined atmospheric pressure ( A process of increasing the pressure to P42), opening the discharge port, discharging the food (F), and then closing the discharge port is performed. In the first intermediate chamber of the pressurization chamber 30, the internal pressure is increased to the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P42) in the inner chamber, the loading port is opened, the food F is brought in, and the loading port is closed, and the internal pressure is set to a predetermined level. A process of increasing the pressure to atmospheric pressure (P43), opening the discharge port, discharging the food F, and then closing the discharge port is performed. In the second intermediate chamber of the pressurization chamber 30, the internal pressure is reduced to the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P43) in the first intermediate chamber, the inlet is opened, food F is brought in, and then the inlet is closed, and the internal pressure is reduced to the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P43) in the first intermediate chamber. A process of increasing the pressure to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P44), opening the discharge port, discharging the food F, and then closing the discharge port is performed. In the outer chamber of the pressurization chamber 30, the internal pressure is reduced to the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P44) in the second intermediate chamber, the inlet is opened, the food F is brought in, and the inlet is closed, and the internal pressure is reduced to atmospheric pressure (P44). A process of increasing the pressure to P45), opening the discharge port, discharging the food (F), and then closing the discharge port is performed. That is, when the internal pressure of the adjacent inner chamber and the internal pressure of the first intermediate chamber are both at a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P42) in the inner chamber, the food F moves from the inner chamber to the first intermediate chamber. Also, when the internal pressure of the adjacent first intermediate chamber and the internal pressure of the second intermediate chamber are both at a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P43) in the first intermediate chamber, the food F moves from the first intermediate chamber to the second intermediate chamber. When both the internal pressure of the adjacent second intermediate chamber and the internal pressure of the outer chamber are at a predetermined atmospheric pressure (P44) in the second intermediate chamber, the food F moves from the second intermediate chamber to the outer chamber. Here, the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P44) in the second intermediate chamber is lower than the atmospheric pressure (P45) (P44<P45). The predetermined atmospheric pressure (P43) in the first intermediate room is lower than the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P44) in the second intermediate room (P43<P44). The predetermined atmospheric pressure (P42) in the inner chamber is lower than the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P43) in the first intermediate chamber (P42<P43). The required atmospheric pressure (P41) in the main room 10 is lower than the predetermined atmospheric pressure (P42) in the inner room (P41<P42).

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and several specific examples have already been shown, but the embodiments can be modified and members replaced and combined with known devices without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. You can.

The present invention can be applied to a food vacuum cooling method and a food vacuum cooling device.

1 Vacuum cooling unit
2 vacuum chamber
3 control unit
4 conveying device
5 door
5a door opener
10 main room
20 Decompression chamber
21 Inside the decompression chamber
22 Middle room of decompression chamber
23 The outer room of the decompression chamber
30 Stress room
31 Inside the compression room
32 Middle room of compression chamber
33 The outer room of the compression room
101 vacuum device
102 Booster
103 barometric pressure sensor
211 vacuum device
211A vacuum pump
211B vacuum pump
211C buffer tank
211D buffer tank
211E Buffer tank
212 booster
213 barometric pressure sensor
221 vacuum device
222 booster
223 barometric pressure sensor
231 Vacuum device
232 Booster
233 barometric pressure sensor
F food

Claims (8)

It consists of a main room, a decompression room containing at least an outer room and an inner room adjacent to the main room, and a decompression room containing one or more rooms. A vacuum cooling method of food in which the food to be cooled is vacuum cooled by placing the food to be cooled in the main chamber depressurized to the required atmospheric pressure for a predetermined cooling time in a vacuum cooling device having a vacuum chamber, comprising:
In the outer chamber of the pressure reduction chamber, the internal pressure is increased to atmospheric pressure, the loading port is opened, the food is brought in, the loading port is closed, the internal pressure is reduced to a predetermined atmospheric pressure higher than the required atmospheric pressure in the main chamber, and the loading port is opened. A process of opening the outlet to transport the food and then closing the outlet;
After increasing the internal pressure in the inner chamber of the pressure reduction chamber to the predetermined atmospheric pressure in the outer chamber, the loading port is opened to bring in the food, and the loading port is closed to reduce the internal pressure to the required atmospheric pressure in the main chamber. A process of opening the outlet to take out the food and then closing the outlet,
A process of bringing the food into the main room and leaving the food for the predetermined cooling time while maintaining the internal pressure at the necessary atmospheric pressure to vacuum cool the food and then taking the food out;
A process of opening an inlet in the pressurization chamber to bring in the food, closing the inlet to increase the internal pressure to atmospheric pressure, opening an outlet to take out the food, and then closing the outlet,
To ensure that each process is completed within the allowable processing time calculated in advance based on the above predetermined cooling time, opening and closing each inlet and each outlet, depressurizing the room requiring decompression, and boosting the pressure of the room requiring boosting. , A vacuum cooling method for food, characterized in that the food is returned. In claim 1,
When a plurality of foods are placed in the main room at the same time, arranged in order in the direction in which the foods are sequentially introduced and transported in the main room, the processing time is calculated in advance as the predetermined cooling time divided by the number of the foods simultaneously placed. A vacuum cooling method for food, characterized in that. In claim 1,
When at least one intermediate chamber is provided between the outer chamber and the inner chamber in the decompression chamber, the internal pressure in the intermediate chamber of the decompression chamber is increased to a predetermined atmospheric pressure in a room adjacent to the outer chamber side, and then the inlet is opened. Opening to bring in the food, closing the inlet to reduce the internal pressure to a predetermined atmospheric pressure in a room adjacent to the inner chamber side, opening the outlet to take out the food, and then closing the outlet. A vacuum cooling method for food, characterized in that. In claim 1,
In the process of opening the inlet in the pressurization chamber to bring in the food, closing the inlet to increase the internal pressure to atmospheric pressure, opening the outlet to take out the food, and then closing the outlet, the inlet is opened. A vacuum cooling method for food, comprising the step of reducing the internal pressure to the required atmospheric pressure in the main chamber before opening. In claim 1,
When at least an outer chamber and an inner chamber are provided in the compression chamber, the internal pressure in the inner chamber of the compression chamber is reduced to the necessary atmospheric pressure in the main chamber, then the inlet is opened to bring in the food, and the inlet is closed. A process of increasing the internal pressure to a predetermined atmospheric pressure higher than the necessary atmospheric pressure in the main chamber, opening the discharge port, exporting the food, and then closing the discharge port, and increasing the internal pressure in the outer chamber of the return pressure chamber to the return pressure chamber. After reducing the pressure in the inner chamber to a predetermined atmospheric pressure, the inlet is opened to bring in the food, the inlet is closed, the internal pressure is increased to atmospheric pressure, the outlet is opened, the food is taken out, and the outlet is closed. A vacuum cooling method for food, comprising the process of: In claim 5,
When at least one intermediate chamber is provided between the outer chamber and the inner chamber in the decompression chamber, the internal pressure in the intermediate chamber of the decompression chamber is reduced to a predetermined atmospheric pressure in a room adjacent to the inner chamber side, and then the inlet is opened. Opening to bring in the food, closing the loading port to increase the internal pressure to a predetermined atmospheric pressure in a room adjacent to the outer chamber, opening the loading port to take out the food, and then closing the loading port. A vacuum cooling method for food characterized by: It is provided with a vacuum chamber composed of a main chamber, a decompression chamber including at least an outer chamber and an inner chamber adjacent to the main chamber, and a back pressure chamber including one or more chambers, and depressurizes the inside of the main chamber to a required air pressure to cool the food for a predetermined cooling time. A vacuum cooling device for food that is left to vacuum cool, comprising:
A door installed in each room to open and close the inlet and outlet of the food,
a vacuum device installed in at least the outer and inner chambers of the main chamber and the decompression chamber, respectively, to depressurize the interior;
At least a pressurization device installed in the outer and inner chambers of the decompression chamber to boost the pressure inside the room;
A conveying device for conveying the food,
Operation of the inlet and outlet, operation of the vacuum device, and operation of the pressure booster so that the work performed in each room is completed within the allowable processing time calculated in advance based on the predetermined cooling time. A vacuum cooling device for carrying out the vacuum cooling method for food according to claim 1, comprising: a control device for controlling the operation of the transport device; A vacuum chamber is provided with a main chamber, a decompression chamber including at least an outer chamber and an inner chamber adjacent to the main chamber, and a backpressure chamber including one or more chambers, and at least one intermediate chamber is installed between the outer chamber and the inner chamber in the decompression chamber. A vacuum cooling device for food that depressurizes the inside of the main chamber to a necessary atmospheric pressure and vacuum cools the food to be cooled by leaving it there for a predetermined cooling time,
A door installed in each room to open and close the inlet and outlet of the food,
a vacuum device installed in at least an outer chamber, an intermediate chamber, and an inner chamber of the main chamber and the decompression chamber to depressurize the interior;
A pressurizing device installed in at least the outer chamber, the middle chamber, and the inner chamber of the decompression chamber to boost the pressure inside the room;
A conveying device for conveying the food,
Operation of the inlet and outlet, operation of the vacuum device, and operation of the pressure booster so that the work performed in each room is completed within the allowable processing time calculated in advance based on the predetermined cooling time. A vacuum cooling device for carrying out the vacuum cooling method for food according to claim 3, comprising: a control device for controlling the operation of the transport device;