JPH02195183A - Food storage box - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To preserve food for a long period by circulating air cooled by a cooler to storage chambers by a blower, maintaining the storage chambers by a blower, maintaining the storage chambers at specific reference temperature ranges by control means, and maintaining at specific moisture by the dehumidifying operation of the cooler. CONSTITUTION:Chilled gas cooled by a cooler 19 is circulated by a blower 20 to cool a storage chamber 8 through a discharge passage 22, returned to the cooler 19 through a return passage 24 to the cooler 19 to cool storage chambers 9, 10 through a discharge passage 23, and returned to the cooler 19 through a return passage 25. On the other hand, operations and stops of a compressor 18, a blower 20 are controlled by a thermostat 21 to maintain the storage chambers 8, 9 10 at 10-15 deg.C of reference temperature range. Simultaneously, moisture is maintained under drying condition of approx. 50% or less by the dehumidifying operation of the cooler 19. Thus, oxidation accelerated under high temperature condition, loss of vitamin C, deterioration of taste, etc. are alleviated. Thus, food can be preserved in a satisfactory state for a long period, and dew-condensation of the food, absorption of moisture are suppressed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a food storage for storing food at a suitable temperature and humidity.

Conventional Technology Traditionally, it has been common practice to store foods that require cooling in the refrigerator, and to store other foods in a food storage cabinet in the kitchen. .

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in the above example, the food stored in the food storage is not controlled for temperature, humidity, etc., and is kept under the temperature and humidity conditions in the kitchen. ing. In recent years, housing structures have become more airtight, which can trap heat and moisture in the kitchen, creating high-temperature and humid conditions.Furthermore, the temperature and humidity can drop significantly at night, causing fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Oxidation and loss of vitamin C during food storage is not uncommon.

This was not a good storage condition for foods, as moisture absorption and flavor deterioration were likely to occur. Furthermore, high-temperature vegetables such as sweet potatoes, and tropical fruits such as bananas, pineapples, and papayas and mangos, which have recently become well-known, are particularly temperature-dependent, and cannot be stored at temperatures below 10℃ in a refrigerator. It has been difficult to find an appropriate storage location because it causes low temperature damage and insufficient ripening, and high humidity conditions are desirable.

On the other hand, due to the unique characteristics of foods, it is difficult to store all kinds of foods in one place. There was also the problem that the two materials migrated, causing mutual deterioration.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems,
Food oxidation, loss of vitamin C, moisture absorption.

The purpose is to prevent flavor deterioration, etc., and to provide food storage that preserves food at appropriate temperature and humidity for long periods of time.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the food storage of the present invention is provided with a heat insulating box body which has a first opening from above. Second. forming a third storage chamber;
A storage container with a lid made of a moisture-permeable membrane is installed in the second storage chamber, a storage container with an open top is installed in the third storage chamber, and a revolving door is installed in the first storage chamber. , 2nd. The third storage chamber is provided with a pull-out door connected to the storage container. A well-known refrigeration cycle, a blower for forcing air into each storage compartment, and a standard temperature range of 10 to 1
5℃, and if the outside air temperature is lower than the reference temperature range, the temperature in each storage room is set to 0-P-15℃, and the first
and a control means for maintaining the humidity in the third storage chamber at about eso% or less.

Function: With the above-described configuration, the present invention circulates air cooled by a cooler in each storage room using a blower, maintains the inside of each storage room at a reference temperature range of 10 to 16°C by means of a control means, and has a dehumidifying effect of the cooler. This suppresses condensation on the food when the door is opened and closed to take out the food. In addition, in the storage container in the second storage chamber, water vapor generated by the transpiration or respiration of the fruits and vegetables to be stored is self-controlled by a moisture permeable membrane to prevent drying. On the other hand, the outside temperature is within the reference temperature range 1 in the storage room.
If it is below 0 to 15 degrees Celsius, the temperature in the storage room should be expanded to 0 to 16 degrees Celsius. The food in the third storage chamber is stored in the refrigerated temperature range to improve its shelf life, and since the difference in temperature from the outside air is small, there is almost no condensation on the food when the door is opened or closed when the food is taken out.

EXAMPLE Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Reference numeral 1 denotes a food storage main body, which is composed of an outer box 2, an inner box 3, and a heat insulating material 4 filled between these two boxes 2 and 3. Reference numerals 5 and 6 denote first and second partition plates that vertically divide the front opening of the main body 1 into three parts, and the second partition plate 6 is attached below the first partition plate 5. Reference numeral 7 denotes a partition wall whose front end is connected to the first partition plate 6 to partition the interior of the main body 1 into upper and lower sections, which partitions and forms a first storage chamber 8 in the upper part, and which is connected to the second partition plate 6. There is a second storage room 9 between
is formed. Further, a third storage chamber 1o is formed below the second partition plate 6. A storage container 11 is provided in the second storage chamber 9, and is composed of a container 12 and a lid 13 mainly composed of a moisture permeable membrane. Reference numeral 14 denotes a storage container with an open upper surface provided in the third storage chamber 1o. Next, reference numeral 16 indicates a revolving door provided at the front opening of the first storage chamber 8, and numerals 16 and 1 are provided at the front openings of the second and third storage chambers, respectively, for the storage container 11. These are pull-out doors connected to 14, respectively.

18 is a compressor installed at the bottom of the main body 1, and 19 is a cooler installed at the back of the first storage chamber S, which is a conventional refrigeration system that includes a condenser and a pressure reducer (none of which are shown). constitutes a cycle. 2o supplies the air cooled by the cooler 19 to the first . A blower for forcing air into each of the second and third storage compartments 8, 9 and 10; 21 is the cooler 1e;
This control means (hereinafter referred to as a thermostat) is provided with a temperature-sensing section on the leeward side of and controls the operation of the compressor 18 and the blower 2o. Further, 22 is a discharge air path leading into the first storage chamber 8, 23 is a discharge air path leading into the second storage chamber 9 and the third storage chamber 1o, and 24 is a discharge air path leading into the first storage chamber 8. A return air passage 25 is provided on the back surface of the lower part and communicates with the cooler 19; It is a road.

In this configuration, the air cooled by the cooler 1e is circulated by the blower 20, cools the first storage chamber 8 through the five discharge air passages 22, is returned to the cooler 19 through the return air passage 24, and is returned to the cooler 19 through the return air passage 24. 23 through the second storage chamber 9. The third storage chamber 10 is cooled through the return air passage 25 to the cooler 1.
Returned to 9.

On the other hand, the compressor 18. Blower 2
The operation and stopping of the 1st. Second. The interior of each of the third storage chambers 8, 9, and 10 is maintained at a standard temperature range of 10 to 16°C, and at the same time, the humidity is approximately 50% due to the dehumidifying action of the cooler 19.
The following dry conditions are maintained: For this reason, stored foods are not exposed to high temperature conditions, and oxidation, loss of vitamin C, and flavor deterioration are suppressed, making it possible to store them for a long time. However, by storing fruits and vegetables that are not desirable and require high humidity conditions in the storage container 11 of the second storage chamber 9, the lid made of a moisture-permeable membrane can prevent water vapor generated by the transpiration or respiration of the stored contents. Good storage can be achieved because the humidity is controlled by the body 13 and maintained at high humidity. On the other hand, the first storage chamber 8
．． The inside of the third storage room 1o is maintained under dry conditions, which prevents oxidation, moisture absorption, and flavor deterioration of stored foods, and also prevents odors caused by moisture transfer, so various foods can be stored in the same place. It is possible to store it in

Furthermore, unlike low-temperature storage, when refrigerated at 10° C. or lower, the difference in temperature from the outside air is small, so condensation on the food is suppressed when the stored food is taken out or when the door is opened and closed, so the food does not spoil.

On the other hand, the outside temperature is the first. 2nd and 3rd storage chambers 8, 9.
When the temperature becomes lower than the reference temperature range of 10 to 16 degrees Celsius, since the temperature sensing part of the thermostat 21 is provided downstream of the cooler 19, the heat load entering the main body 1 due to the decrease in outside air temperature is reduced. As the indoor temperature decreases, the first storage room 8
, the food preservation in the third storage room 1o is rather good, and because the outside temperature is low, there is little temperature difference between the food and the food when it is taken out.
There is no need to worry about condensation or moisture absorption when opening and closing the door. Although it is not preferable for the second storage chamber 9 to have a lower indoor temperature, for example, the first and third storage chambers 8, 1o may be
Differentiation is possible by setting a higher temperature or supplementing with heating means such as a heater.

Furthermore, food that requires drying is stored in the first storage chamber 8 on the upper level, but since most of the food items are generally light, the user's convenience is not affected even if the food is on the upper level, and the door is a revolving door 15. It is also convenient for storing and taking out food. Also, the second in the middle
There are many relatively heavy foods such as high-temperature vegetables and tropical fruits stored in the third storage compartment 9, and beverages and seasonings stored in the third storage compartment 10 at the bottom. , since it is located at a low position on the lower level and the door is a pull-out type door, this also does not impair the user's usability.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) When the outside air temperature is relatively high, the temperature inside each storage room is set to the standard temperature range of 10 to 15°C, and when the outside temperature falls below the standard temperature range, it is set to the temperature range of 0 to 16°C. By maintaining this temperature, oxidation, loss of vitamin C, deterioration of flavor, etc. promoted by high-temperature conditions are reduced, and food can be stored in good condition for a long period of time. Condensation and moisture absorption on food is suppressed when the door is opened and closed.

(2) By maintaining the humidity in the first and third storage chambers at a dry condition of approximately 50% or less, food oxidation, moisture absorption,
Deterioration of flavor can be prevented.

(3) By maintaining the inside of the first and third storage chambers under dry conditions, the transfer of odors between foods is reduced, and various foods can be stored in the same place, making inventory management easier.

(4) Even with high-temperature vegetables and tropical fruits that would cause low-temperature damage or underripening if stored in the vegetable compartment of a conventional refrigerator, they can be kept at high humidity in the second storage compartment at 10-16°C using a moisture-permeable membrane. Good storage is possible.

(5) Light foods that require drying can be stored in the upper tier with a revolving door, while other heavy items such as fruits and vegetables, drinks, and seasonings can be stored in the middle or lower tier with a pull-out door. Food can be conveniently stored and taken out without sacrificing usability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a food storage warehouse showing an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the food storage shown in FIG. 1. 1...Storage body, 2...Outer box, 3.
...Inner box, 4...Insulation material, 5...
・First partition plate, 6...Second partition plate, 7...
...Division wall, 8...First storage room, 9...
...Second storage chamber, 10...Third storage chamber, 11...Storage container, 13...Lid made of a moisture permeable membrane, 14. ...Storage container, 16...
...Rotating door, 16,17...Pull-out door, 1
8...Compressor, 19...Cooler, 20
...Blower, 21...Thermostat (control means). Name of agent: Patent attorney Shigetaka Awano and 1 other person1
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Claims (1)

[Claims] A storage main body that is made up of an outer box, an inner box, and a heat insulating material filled between the outer box and the inner box, and has an open front, and a first partition that divides the opening of the storage main body into three vertically. a second partition plate provided below the first partition plate; a partition wall that is connected to the first partition plate and partitions the inside of the storage chamber vertically; and a partition above the partition wall. a second storage chamber formed below the partition wall and above the second partition plate; and a third storage chamber formed below the second partition plate. a storage chamber, a storage container provided in the second storage chamber and having a substantially airtight structure and having a lid made of a moisture permeable membrane on the top surface; a storage container provided in the third storage chamber and having an open top surface; A revolving door provided at the front opening of the first storage chamber, a pull-out door provided at the front openings of the second and third storage chambers and connected to the storage container, a compressor, and a condenser. a refrigeration cycle consisting of a container, a pressure reducer, a cooler, etc., a blower for forcing air cooled by the cooler into each of the first, second, and third storage chambers;
, the reference temperature range in each of the third storage chambers is set to 10 to 15°C, and when the outside air temperature is lower than the reference temperature range, the temperature in each of the storage rooms is set to 0 to 15°C; and a control means for maintaining the humidity in the storage room at about 50% or less.