Method and apparatus for cooling food and the like

Abstract

To provide a refrigerating method and a continuous refrigerating device capable of maintaining the endurance and space-saving property of the refrigerating device, and excellently refrigerating even foods such as Scallop Adductor Muscle.SOLUTION: A cooler disposed in a space below the forward path, wherein a height between the forward path and an inner upper surface of the housing is reduced while securing passage of food or the like, a plurality of nozzles are provided between the forward path and the cooler, first and second ducts are provided at different positions in a longitudinal direction of the conveyor, and cold air in the cold air treatment space is introduced into both the nozzles and the first duct, in the cooling method, cold air is injected from a nozzle to a lower surface of a forward path of a conveyor, the cold air is sent out from a first duct onto the forward path of the conveyor, and the cold air moves on the forward path of the conveyor toward an intake side of a second duct.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling method for rapidly freezing food and the like, and a continuous cooling device for rapidly freezing food and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a continuous cooling device is known that includes an endless conveyor using large diameter pulleys and reduces the height of the transport space for the food or other object to be cooled (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Jikkai Showa 60-123579 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-mentioned continuous cooling device has the advantages of being able to improve durability by using large diameter pulleys to prevent metal fatigue in the conveyor, and of reducing the height of the transport space for food, etc., to improve the space-saving nature of the continuous cooling device itself.

[0005] On the other hand, when performing quick freezing, it is desirable to be able to achieve good cooling without causing defects such as cracking of the flesh when cooled, even for foods such as scallops, etc. However, the above-mentioned continuous cooling device configuration can only perform a method of monotonically circulating cold air, and is not able to provide good cooling for foods that are prone to cracking.

[0006] The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and while maintaining the conventional advantages of improving the durability of continuous cooling devices and maintaining the space-saving design of the devices, the problem that the invention aims to solve is to provide a cooling method that can achieve good cooling even for foods such as scallops that are prone to problems such as cracking, and a continuous cooling device that can achieve this cooling method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A cooling method using a continuous cooling device comprising: a housing having a cold air circulation space for circulating cold air and a cold air processing space for cooling food or the like in the longitudinal direction; a conveyor having an outgoing path and a returning path, at least the outgoing path being located within the cold air processing space, for loading and transporting food or the like; and a cooler located in the space below the outgoing path, wherein the height dimension between the outgoing path and the interior upper surface of the housing is reduced to ensure the passage of the food or the like, The continuous cooling device is provided with a plurality of nozzles for sending air from below to above the outgoing path into a space between the outgoing path and the cooler, and is provided with a first duct for sucking in cold air from the cold air circulation space and sending it out onto the outgoing path of the conveyor in the cold air treatment space, and a second duct for sucking in cold air on the outgoing path of the conveyor and sending it out to the cooler, and the installation positions of the first duct and the second duct are provided at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor, The cold air in the cold air processing space is introduced into both the plurality of nozzles and the first duct, and the cold air is sprayed from the plurality of nozzles onto a bottom surface of the conveyor's outward path to cool the conveyor's outward path and cool the food or the like on the outward path from its bottom side; Cool air is sent from the first duct onto the forward path of the conveyor to cool the food or the like on the forward path from above, The means for solving the above problem is a method for cooling food, etc., characterized in that the cold air moves on the outward path of the conveyor toward the intake side of the second duct, cooling the food, etc. from its top and sides. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, in addition to having the conventional advantages of preventing metal fatigue of conventional pulleys and maintaining the space-saving design of the device, cold air is sprayed from multiple nozzles onto the underside of the conveyor's outward path to cool the conveyor's outward path and cool food and other items on the outward path from their bottom side, cold air is sent out from the first duct onto the conveyor's outward path to cool food and other items on the outward path from their top side, and the cold air moves along the conveyor's outward path towards the intake side of the second duct to cool the food and other items from their top and side sides, thereby rapidly cooling the food and other items from the bottom side and slowly cooling the food and other items from the top and side sides, thereby achieving stable and good cooling even for foods and other items that are prone to defects such as cracking, such as scallops. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing a continuous cooling device equipped with a continuous cooling module according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a side view showing a continuous cooling device equipped with a continuous cooling module according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a continuous cooling device equipped with a continuous cooling module according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] (a) An oblique view of a continuous cooling device equipped with a continuous cooling module according to Example 1 of the present invention, with some parts omitted (top plate 11, front wall 14, etc.); (b) An explanatory diagram showing the state in which food, etc. on the outbound path is cooled from above by cold air from path y4; (c) An explanatory diagram showing the state in which food, etc. on the outbound path is cooled from the side by cold air from path y5. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a continuous cooling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which is configured by connecting three continuous cooling modules. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A method for cooling food or the like according to an embodiment of the present invention is a cooling method using a continuous cooling device comprising: a housing having a cold air circulation space for circulating cold air and a cold air treatment space for cooling food or the like along the longitudinal direction; a conveyor having an outgoing path and a returning path, at least the outgoing path being located within the cold air treatment space, for placing and transporting food or the like; and a cooler located in a space below the outgoing path, wherein the height dimension between the outgoing path and an upper inner surface of the housing is reduced to ensure passage of the food or the like; The continuous cooling device is provided with a plurality of nozzles for sending air from below to above the outgoing path into a space between the outgoing path and the cooler, and is provided with a first duct for sucking in cold air from the cold air circulation space and sending it out onto the outgoing path of the conveyor in the cold air treatment space, and a second duct for sucking in cold air on the outgoing path of the conveyor and sending it out to the cooler, and the installation positions of the first duct and the second duct are provided at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor, The cold air in the cold air processing space is introduced into both the plurality of nozzles and the first duct, and the cold air is sprayed from the plurality of nozzles onto a bottom surface of the conveyor's outward path to cool the conveyor's outward path and cool the food or the like on the outward path from its bottom side; Cool air is sent from the first duct onto the forward path of the conveyor to cool the food or the like on the forward path from above, This can be a method for cooling food, etc., characterized in that the cold air moves on the outward path of the conveyor toward the intake side of the second duct, cooling the food, etc. from its top and side surfaces (first configuration).

[0011] The first configuration described above has the conventional advantages of preventing metal fatigue in the pulleys and maintaining the space-saving design of the device, and, unlike the prior art described above, cool air is sprayed from multiple nozzles onto the underside of the conveyor belt's outward path to cool the conveyor belt's outward path and cool food items on the outward path from their bottom sides, cool air is sent from the first duct onto the conveyor belt's outward path to cool food items on the outward path from their top sides, and the cool air moves along the conveyor belt's outward path toward the intake side of the second duct, cooling the food items from their top and sides. This increases the cooling efficiency on the bottom side of the food items, allowing the food items to be rapidly cooled from the bottom side and slowly cooled from the top and sides, thereby achieving stable and good cooling even for food items that are prone to defects such as cracking, such as scallop adductor muscle.

[0012] The present invention also provides a continuous cooling device comprising a housing having a cold air circulation space for circulating cold air and a cold air treatment space for cooling food or the like in the longitudinal direction, a conveyor having an outgoing path and a returning path, with at least the outgoing path being located within the cold air treatment space, and a cooler located in the space below the outgoing path, wherein the height between the outgoing path and the upper surface of the interior of the housing is reduced to ensure the passage of the food or the like, the continuous cooling device further comprising a plurality of nozzles for sending air from below to above the outgoing path into the space between the outgoing path and the cooler, a first duct having a cold air suction port within the cold air circulation space and a delivery port to the cold air treatment space onto the outgoing path of the conveyor, and a second duct having a cold air suction port on the outgoing path of the conveyor and a delivery port to the cooler, the installation positions of the first duct and the second duct being different in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor (second configuration).

[0013] The second configuration described above has the conventional advantages of preventing metal fatigue in the pulleys and maintaining the space-saving design of the device, and also provides the functional effects of the first configuration by introducing cold air from the cold air processing space into both the multiple nozzles and the first duct, spraying cold air from the multiple nozzles onto the underside of the conveyor's outward path to cool the conveyor's outward path and cooling the food items, etc. on the outward path from their bottom sides, sending cold air from the first duct onto the conveyor's outward path to cool the food items, etc. on the outward path from their top sides, and moving the cold air along the conveyor's outward path toward the intake side of the second duct to cool the food items, etc. from their top and side sides, thereby achieving the functional effects of the first configuration described above.

[0014] The present invention also provides a cooling system comprising one continuous cooling module or two or more continuous cooling modules connected in series, The continuous cooling module has a cold air circulation space for circulating cold air and a cold air processing space for cooling food or the like in the longitudinal direction, and is equipped with a cylindrical module housing with open front and rear longitudinal ends, a conveyor belt having an outgoing path and a returning path, at least the outgoing path being disposed within the cold air processing space, and a cooler disposed in a space below the outgoing path, and the height dimension between the outgoing path and the inner upper surface of the housing is reduced to a height dimension that ensures the passage of the food or the like. the cooling system is provided with a plurality of nozzles in a space between the outgoing path and the cooler that send air from below to above the outgoing path, a first duct for sucking in cold air from the cold air circulation space and sending it out onto the outgoing path of the conveyor belt in the cold air treatment space, and a second duct for sucking in cold air on the outgoing path of the conveyor belt and sending it out to the cooler, and the installation position of the first duct and the installation position of the second duct are provided at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt, A method for cooling food or the like using a continuous cooling device configured by closing the openings at the front end and the rear end of the continuous cooling module while allowing an inlet, an outlet, and a conveyor belt to pass through, This method for cooling food, etc. is characterized in that cold air from the cold air processing space is introduced into both the multiple nozzles and the first duct, cold air is sprayed from the multiple nozzles onto the underside of the conveyor's outward path to cool the conveyor's outward path and cool the food, etc. on the outward path from their bottom side, cold air is sent from the first duct onto the conveyor's outward path to cool the food, etc. on the outward path from their top side, and the cold air moves along the conveyor's outward path toward the intake side of the second duct, cooling the food, etc. from their top and side sides (third configuration).

[0015] According to the third configuration, in addition to achieving the same effects as the first configuration of the invention, by modularizing the device itself, it is possible to configure a continuous cooling device according to the installation space, production scale, etc.

[0016] The present invention also provides a continuous cooling module comprising one continuous cooling module or two or more continuous cooling modules connected in front and behind, the continuous cooling module having a cold air circulation space for circulating cold air and a cold air processing space for cooling food or the like in the longitudinal direction, a cylindrical module housing with open front and rear longitudinal ends, a conveyor belt having an outgoing path and a returning path, with at least the outgoing path being located within the cold air processing space, and a cooler located in a space below the outgoing path, the height dimension between the outgoing path and the inner upper surface of the housing being a reduced height dimension ensuring the passage of the food or the like, and the outgoing path being located in the space between the outgoing path and the cooler. A continuous cooling device can be provided which is equipped with a plurality of nozzles that blow air from below upward, a first duct having a cold air suction port in the cold air circulation space and a discharge port on the forward path of the conveyor belt in the cold air processing space, and a second duct for sucking in cold air on the forward path of the conveyor belt and sending it out to the cooler side, the installation positions of the first duct and the second duct being different in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt, and the openings at the front end and the rear end of the continuous cooling module being closed while allowing the inlet, outlet, and conveyor belt to pass through (fourth configuration).

[0017] The fourth configuration has the conventional advantages of preventing metal fatigue in the pulleys and maintaining the space-saving design of the device, and also provides the functional effects of the third configuration by introducing cold air from the cold air processing space into both the multiple nozzles and the first duct, spraying cold air from the multiple nozzles onto the underside of the conveyor's outward path to cool the conveyor's outward path and cooling the food items on the outward path from their bottom sides, sending cold air from the first duct onto the conveyor's outward path to cool the food items on the outward path from their top sides, and moving the cold air along the conveyor's outward path toward the intake side of the second duct to cool the food items from their top and side sides, thereby achieving the functional effects of the third configuration. [Example]

[0018] A continuous cooling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the drawings, identical or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated. To facilitate understanding, the drawings referred to below show simplified or schematic configurations, and some components are omitted. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of the components shown in each drawing do not necessarily represent actual dimensional ratios. For the purpose of explanation, the term "front" or "front end" refers to the side of the continuous cooling module 1A or the continuous cooling device 1 where food or the like is introduced, and the term "rear" or "rear end" refers to the side of the continuous cooling module 1A or the continuous cooling device 1 where food or the like is introduced.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the continuous cooling device 1 of this embodiment 1 is equipped with one continuous cooling module 1A, with large diameter pulleys 20, 20 arranged on the outside of the front and rear ends of the module, a conveyor belt is hung between them, and both ends of the continuous cooling module 1A are appropriately closed.

[0020] The continuous cooling module 1A comprises a housing module, a conveyor belt (outgoing path 2A and returning path 2B) arranged longitudinally within the housing module, a cooler 6, a blower fan 5, a cooling nozzle 7, a first duct 3, and a second duct 4.

[0021] Although not shown, the continuous cooling module 1A is equipped with a control device that can control temperature, speed, and air volume. The continuous cooling module 1A is also connected to an external refrigerator, and the cooler can cool the air (generate cold air) by exchanging heat with the refrigerant sent from the refrigerator.

[0022] The housing module is configured as a unit without walls at the front and rear ends. That is, the housing module is configured with a top plate 11, a bottom plate 12, and left and right side plates 13, 13, and has a rectangular cylindrical shape.

[0023] The housing 10 is formed by blocking the front and rear end sides of the cylindrical module with a front wall 14 and a rear wall 15, while allowing the conveyor belt's outbound path 2A and inbound path 2B to pass through and ensuring an inlet 140 and an outlet 150.

[0024] The inlet 140 and outlet 150 provided in the front wall 14 and the rear wall 15 are provided facing the cold air processing space F2 of the housing 10 of the continuous cooling device 1. The inlet 140 and outlet 150 can be provided with openable and closable shutters.

[0025] A partition wall 100 is provided along the longitudinal direction of the space within the housing 10, and a front partition wall 101 and a rear partition wall 102 are further provided in front of and behind the partition wall 100. The partition wall 100, the front partition wall 101, and the rear partition wall 102 separate the space into a cold air circulation space F1 and a cold air processing space F2. The heights of the front partition wall 101 and the rear partition wall 102 are set smaller than the diameter of the large-diameter pulley 20 so that the front partition wall 101 and the rear partition wall 102 do not interfere with the conveyor belt 20.

[0026] Large diameter pulleys 20 are used at the front and rear ends of the conveyor. The large diameter pulleys 20 have a diameter of about 1 m. As described above, the conveyor belt is suspended in an endless loop between the large diameter pulleys 20 at the front and rear ends. The conveyor belt (outbound path 2A and inbound path 2B) passes through the cold air processing space F2.

[0027] The conveyor belt of the conveyor 2 is a steel belt. Steel belts are not breathable. A gap equivalent to the diameter of the large diameter pulley 20 is provided between the outgoing path 2A and the returning path 2B of the conveyor belt. The bearing of the large diameter pulley is not shown.

[0028] The height dimension of the housing 10 from the top of the conveyor belt outward path 2A is set to a height dimension that ensures the passage and airflow required for cooling of the scallop adductor muscle, which is the food product, while reducing unnecessary space. In this embodiment, the height dimension is specifically set to approximately 100 mm. This configuration reduces the volume of the cooling space, lowers the cost required for cooling, improves the efficiency of the cooling effect, and enables space-saving of the continuous cooling device 1.

[0029] A cooler 6 is provided between the outgoing path 2A and the returning path 2B of the conveyor belt, closer to the returning path 2B. In this embodiment, two coolers 6 are provided side by side in the longitudinal direction. A first installation hole (not shown) is provided in the partition wall 100 corresponding to the installation location of the cooler 6, and a blower fan 5 is provided at a corresponding position in the cool air circulation section F1. With this configuration, air cooled by the cooler 6 moves from the cool air processing space F2 through the first installation hole 103 to the cool air circulation space F1 when the blower fan 5 is operated.

[0030] A plurality of nozzles 7 are arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction above the cooler 6 and below the forward path. An outlet 70 is provided on the top surface of the nozzle 7. The internal space of the nozzle 7 is connected to the cool air circulation space F1 through a second installation hole 104 provided in the partition wall 100. With this configuration, cool air from the cool air circulation space F1 side is taken into the nozzle 7 and is ejected from the outlet 70 on the top surface.

[0031] A first duct 3 is installed on the outer top surface of the housing 10. The first duct 3 is configured to connect the cool air circulation space F1 and the cool air processing space F2. One end of the first duct 3 is a first air intake port 30, and the other end is a first air exhaust port 31. The first air intake port 30 of the housing 11 is located on the cool air circulation space F1 side. The first air exhaust port 31 is located on the cool air processing space F2 side. An opening 110 is provided in the top plate 11 so that the space inside the first duct 3 connects to the space inside the housing 10. In this embodiment, the first ducts 3 are provided at two positions in the longitudinal direction, one near the front end and the other near the rear end.

[0032] A second duct 4 is installed from the outer top surface of the housing 10 to the outer side surface. The second duct 4 is configured to connect the space above the conveyor belt outgoing path 2A in the cool air processing space F2 to a space below the cool air processing space F2 near the cooler 6. One end of the second duct 4 is a second air intake port 40, and the other end is a second air exhaust port 41. The second air intake port 40 is located on the side of the space above the conveyor belt outgoing path 2A. The second air exhaust port 41 is located on the side of the space below the cool air processing space F2 near the cooler 6. The top panel 11 and the side panel 13 are provided with openings 110 and 130 so that the space within the second duct 4 connects to the space within the housing 10. In this embodiment, the second duct 4 is installed between the two first ducts 3, 3 in the longitudinal direction.

[0033] With the above-described configuration, the method for cooling food or the like according to the embodiment of the present invention is carried out. When the blower fan 5 is operated, the pressure becomes high on the cold air circulation space F1 side and low on the cold air processing space F2 side, and the cold air generated by the cooler 6 is drawn in along both path y2 from path y1 to the nozzle 7 and path y3 to the first air intake 30 of the first duct 3. The cold air drawn into the nozzle 7 side is ejected from the nozzle 7 outlet 70 and cools the underside of the conveyor belt on its outgoing path 2A. Because the conveyor belt is made of steel, the conveyor belt on its outgoing path 2A is cooled, and the bottoms of the food items s placed on the outgoing path 2A are rapidly cooled.

[0034] The cold air sucked into the first duct 3 is discharged along path y4 from the first exhaust port 30 located on the outward path 2A of the conveyor belt on the low-pressure side of the cold air processing space F2, and cools food items s placed on the outward path 2A of the conveyor belt from their top side (see Figures 3, 4(a) and (b)).

[0035] The cold air discharged from the first duct 3 moves on the conveyor belt toward the second air intake 40 of the second duct 4 (see FIG. 4(a)). At this time, the top and sides of the food items s are cooled (FIG. 4(c)). The cold air moves from the front side of the first duct 3 toward the second air intake 40 of the second duct 4 in the direction of conveyor travel (path y5). The cold air moves from the rear side of the first duct 3 toward the second air intake 40 of the second duct 4 in the direction of conveyor retreat (path y6). Therefore, the rear side and top (and left and right side) of the food items s are mainly cooled by the cold air from the front side of the first duct 3 (see FIG. 4(c)), and the front side and top (and left and right side) are mainly cooled by the cold air from the rear side of the first duct 3.

[0036] The cooling of the food items s by the cold air (paths y4, y5, y6) discharged from each of the first ducts 3, 3 is slow, unlike the underside of the food items s that is in direct contact with the cooled steel conveyor belt, and the food items can be cooled in a manner that does not cause problems such as cracking.

[0037] The air used as cold air to cool food etc. s is sucked in from the second intake port 40 side of the second duct 4 (path y7) and discharged from the second exhaust port 41 side of the second duct 4 located near the cooler 6 in the cold air processing space F2 (path y8).

[0038] The air discharged from the second exhaust port 41 side of the second duct 4 (path y8) is cooled again by the cooler 6, and sent from the cooler 6 to the blower fan 5 in the cool air circulation space F1, where it circulates (path y1).

[0039] In this embodiment, the first exhaust port 31 of the first duct 3 is located near the inlet 140 and outlet 150 of the housing 10, the second intake port 40 of the second duct 4 is located in the center of the conveyor in the longitudinal direction, and cool air flows from the first exhaust port 31 of the first duct 3 to the second intake port 40 of the second duct 4, making it difficult for cool air to leak from the inlet 14 and outlet 15. This contributes to the stability and high efficiency of the cooling temperature within the continuous cooling module 1A. [Example]

[0040] Second Embodiment A continuous cooling device 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The continuous cooling system 1 according to the second embodiment is a continuous cooling system configured using three continuous cooling modules 1A, 1B, 1A, as shown in the plan view of Figure 5. The cooling module 1A according to the first embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the "first continuous cooling module" 1A) is arranged at both ends, and another cooling module 1B (hereinafter referred to as the "second continuous cooling module" 1B) is arranged in the center and connected to each other, and a conveyor 2 is provided that passes through these three continuous cooling modules 1A, 1B, 1A. The conveyor 2 is equipped with large diameter pulleys 20, 20, which are arranged on the outside front of the housing of the front first continuous cooling module 1A and on the outside rear of the housing of the rear first continuous cooling module 1A, respectively. The conveyor belt passes through the three continuous cooling modules 1A, 1B, 1A and is hung on the large diameter pulley 20, and an outgoing path 2A and a returning path 2B are arranged between the large diameter pulleys 20, 20.

[0041] The second continuous cooling module 1B differs from the first continuous cooling module 1A in that it has one first duct 3 in the center of the longitudinal direction, and two second ducts 4, 4 of the first continuous cooling module 1A at the front and rear ends, respectively. By placing the second continuous cooling module 1B between the two first continuous cooling modules 1A, 1A, the first ducts 3 and second ducts 4 are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction.

[0042] In the second embodiment, the method for cooling food or the like according to the embodiment of the present invention is carried out as follows. The cool air that moves from the first air intake 30 side of each first duct 3 to the first air exhaust 31 side of the first duct 3 is discharged onto the conveyor belt, and then moves on the conveyor belt toward the second air intake 40 side of the second ducts 4 arranged in the front-to-rear direction.

[0043] For this reason, even when the food product s is moved a long distance by the conveyor 2 (approximately the length of multiple cooling modules connected together), the food product s is cooled by the cold air from the first duct 3 on both the front side and top surface (and also the left and right sides) facing one second duct 4, and the rear side and top surface (and also the left and right sides) facing the other second duct 4. As a result, the food product s is cooled rapidly by the cooled steel conveyor belt, and the front, rear, left and right sides, and top surfaces are all cooled slowly, allowing the food product s to be cooled without causing problems such as cracking.

[0044] Furthermore, in the continuous cooling system 1 according to the second embodiment, the first continuous cooling modules 1A are disposed at both ends, so that the first exhaust port 31 of the first duct 3 is disposed near both the inlet 140 and the outlet 150, and cold air flows from the first exhaust port 30 of the first duct 3 to the second exhaust port 41 of the second duct 4, making it difficult for cold air to leak from the inlet 140 or the outlet 150. This contributes to the stability and high efficiency of the cooling temperature within the continuous cooling system 1.

[0045] In both of the above-mentioned Examples 1 and 2, both the outgoing path 2A and the returning path 2B of the conveyor belt are provided to pass through the housing 10, but the present invention is not limited to the configurations of Examples 1 and 2, and it is also possible that only the outgoing path 2A of the conveyor belt is arranged inside the housing 10 and the returning path 2B of the conveyor belt is arranged outside and below the housing 10.

[0046] Furthermore, in the present invention, the height dimension that is reduced to ensure the passage of food, etc. is not limited to the specific dimensions shown in the examples, and can be set appropriately as long as it ensures the air volume necessary for the passage and cooling of food, etc. (s) and reduces unnecessary space.

[0047] Furthermore, although both of the above-mentioned Examples 1 and 2 are continuous cooling devices using cooling modules, the present invention is not limited to this configuration and also includes continuous cooling devices that do not use cooling modules (i.e., the components are not modularized). [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] F1 Cool air circulation space F2 Cool air processing space s Food etc. y1~y8 route 1. Continuous cooling device 1A Continuous Cooling Module (First Continuous Cooling Module) 1B Continuous Cooling Module (Second Continuous Cooling Module) 10. Cabinet 100 Partition Wall 101 Front partition wall 102 Rear partition wall 103 First installation hole 104 Second mounting hole 11 Top plate 110 Opening 12 Bottom plate 13 Side panel 130 Opening 14 Front wall 140 Loading entrance 15 Back wall 150 Loading entrance 2 Conveyor 2A Outbound 2B Return journey 20 Large diameter pulley 3 First Duct 30 First intake 31 First exhaust outlet 4 Second Duct 40 Second intake 41 Second exhaust port 5. Blower fan 6 Cooler 7 nozzles 70 Air Outlet

Claims

1. A cooling method using a continuous cooling device comprising: a housing having a cold air circulation space for circulating cold air and a cold air processing space for cooling food or the like in the longitudinal direction; a conveyor having an outgoing path and a returning path, at least the outgoing path being located within the cold air processing space, for loading and transporting food or the like; and a cooler located in the space below the outgoing path, wherein the height dimension between the outgoing path and the interior upper surface of the housing is reduced to ensure the passage of the food or the like, The continuous cooling device is provided with a plurality of nozzles for sending air from below to above the outgoing path into a space between the outgoing path and the cooler, and is provided with a first duct for sucking in cold air from the cold air circulation space and sending it out onto the outgoing path of the conveyor in the cold air treatment space, and a second duct for sucking in cold air on the outgoing path of the conveyor and sending it out to the cooler, and the installation positions of the first duct and the second duct are provided at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor, The cold air in the cold air processing space is introduced into both the plurality of nozzles and the first duct, and the cold air is sprayed from the plurality of nozzles onto a bottom surface of the conveyor's outward path to cool the conveyor's outward path and the food or the like on the outward path from its bottom side; cold air is blown from the first duct onto the outward path of the conveyor to cool the food or the like on the outward path from above; A method for cooling food, etc., characterized in that the cold air moves on the outward path of the conveyor toward the intake side of the second duct, cooling the food, etc. from its top and sides.

2. a housing having a cold air circulation space for circulating cold air and a cold air processing space for cooling food or the like, along the longitudinal direction; a conveyor having an outgoing path and a returning path, at least the outgoing path being disposed within the cold air treatment space; a cooler disposed in a space below the outgoing path, In a continuous cooling device, the height dimension between the outgoing path and the inner upper surface of the housing is a reduced height dimension that ensures the passage of food or the like, a first duct having a plurality of nozzles for supplying air from below to above the outgoing path in a space between the outgoing path and the cooler, the first duct having a cold air suction port in the cold air circulation space and a cold air delivery port in the cold air treatment space onto the outgoing path of the conveyor; a second duct having a cold air suction port on the outgoing path of the conveyor and a discharge port to the cooler side; A continuous cooling device characterized in that the first duct and the second duct are installed at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor.

3. The cooling system includes one continuous cooling module or two or more continuous cooling modules connected in series, The continuous cooling module has a cold air circulation space for circulating cold air and a cold air processing space for cooling food or the like in the longitudinal direction, and is equipped with a cylindrical module housing with open front and rear longitudinal ends, a conveyor belt having an outgoing path and a returning path, at least the outgoing path being disposed within the cold air processing space, and a cooler disposed in a space below the outgoing path, and the height dimension between the outgoing path and the inner upper surface of the housing is reduced to a height dimension that ensures the passage of the food or the like. the cooling system is provided with a plurality of nozzles in a space between the outgoing path and the cooler that send air from below to above the outgoing path, a first duct for sucking in cold air from the cold air circulation space and sending it out onto the outgoing path of the conveyor belt in the cold air treatment space, and a second duct for sucking in cold air on the outgoing path of the conveyor belt and sending it out to the cooler, and the installation position of the first duct and the installation position of the second duct are provided at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt, A method for cooling food or the like using a continuous cooling device configured by closing the openings at the front end and the rear end of the continuous cooling module while allowing an inlet, an outlet, and a conveyor belt to pass through, A method for cooling food, etc., characterized in that cold air from the cold air processing space is introduced into both the multiple nozzles and the first duct, cold air is sprayed from the multiple nozzles onto the underside of the conveyor's outward path to cool the conveyor's outward path and cool the food, etc. on the outward path from their bottom sides, cold air is sent from the first duct onto the conveyor's outward path to cool the food, etc. on the outward path from their top sides, and the cold air moves along the conveyor's outward path toward the intake side of the second duct, cooling the food, etc. from their top and side sides.

4. The continuous cooling module is provided with one continuous cooling module or two or more continuous cooling modules connected in front and behind, the continuous cooling module having a cold air circulation space for circulating cold air and a cold air processing space for cooling food or the like in the longitudinal direction, and is provided with a cylindrical module housing with open front and rear longitudinal ends, a conveyor belt having an outgoing path and a returning path, with at least the outgoing path being located within the cold air processing space, and a cooler located in the space below the outgoing path, the height dimension between the outgoing path and the inner upper surface of the housing being a height dimension reduced to ensure the passage of the food or the like, and the space between the outgoing path and the cooler a first duct having a plurality of nozzles for blowing air from below to above the outgoing path of the conveyor belt, the first duct having a cold air suction port in the cold air circulation space and a discharge port in the cold air processing space onto the outgoing path of the conveyor belt, and a second duct for sucking in cold air on the outgoing path of the conveyor belt and sending it out to the cooler, the installation positions of the first duct and the second duct being different in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt, and the openings at the front end and the rear end of the continuous cooling module being closed while allowing the inlet, outlet, and conveyor belt to pass through.

Images