Ultrasonic unfreezing device and unfreezing method

Abstract

The invention provides an ultrasonic unfreezing device and an unfreezing method, and relates to the technical field of frozen product unfreezing. The interior of the box body is used for containing an unfreezing medium, the box body is arranged in the frame body, and an opening is formed in the top of the box body; the transmission chain system is annular, one part of the transmission chain system is in transmission inside the box body through the opening, the other part of the transmission chain system is in transmission outside the box body, and the two sides of the transmission chain system are in transmission on the two sides of the box body respectively; the two ultrasonic vibration plates are arranged in the box body and are respectively arranged above and below one part of the transmission chain system, and each ultrasonic vibration plate is provided with at least three ultrasonic generators with different frequencies; according to the method, the meat in a frozen state is pretreated by utilizing cavitation and micro-jet effects generated by multi-frequency combined ultrasound, so that the melting rate of ice crystals in the meat is increased, and the aim of quickly unfreezing is fulfilled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of thawing frozen products, and more specifically, relates to an ultrasonic thawing device and a thawing method. Background Art

[0002] Frozen livestock and poultry products play a vital role in meat processing and are the main bargaining chip for the country's meat food reserves and macro-control.

[0003] Traditional thawing methods include hot air or water bath thawing. Although they can achieve thawing, they are time-consuming, energy-intensive and inefficient. There are also problems such as low thawing uniformity, enzymatic browning and microbial contamination. Therefore, seeking new efficient and green thawing technologies for livestock and poultry products is very important to maximize the retention of meat quality and improve people's consumption of meat products. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic thawing device and a thawing method to address the deficiencies in the existing technology, so as to solve the problems of the traditional thawing methods proposed in the above background technology, including hot air or water bath thawing. Although thawing can be achieved, it is time-consuming, energy-intensive and inefficient. There are also problems such as low thawing uniformity, enzymatic browning and microbial contamination.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an ultrasonic thawing device, which comprises:

[0006] Frame;

[0007] A box body, the interior of which is used to contain a thawing medium, the box body is arranged inside the frame body, and the top of the box body is provided with an opening;

[0008] A transmission chain system, wherein the transmission chain system is annular, a part of the transmission chain system is transmitted to the inside of the box through the opening, another part of the transmission chain system is transmitted to the outside of the box, and two sides of the transmission chain system are respectively transmitted to two sides of the box;

[0009] Two ultrasonic vibration plates are arranged inside the box and respectively arranged above and below a portion of the transmission chain system. Each ultrasonic vibration plate is provided with at least three ultrasonic generators of different frequencies.

[0010] Preferably, the transmission chain system comprises:

[0011] Six groups of seat bodies, wherein a group of seat bodies are arranged on both sides of the box body at the bottom of the frame body, a group of seat bodies are arranged on both sides of the box body at the top of the frame body, and a group of seat bodies are arranged at the edge positions of both sides of the top of the frame body, and the two seat bodies of each group of seat bodies are rotatably connected to the two ends of a sprocket shaft respectively;

[0012] Two chains, the two chains are arranged at intervals, a plurality of discs are arranged between the two chains, two ends of each disc are respectively connected to a link of one of the chains and a link of the other chain, and each chain is sleeved on the outside of the area surrounded by the plurality of sprocket shafts;

[0013] Six groups of sprockets, each of which is connected to a group of sprockets at intervals on the sprocket shaft, and the two sprockets of each group of sprockets are respectively meshed and connected with the two chains;

[0014] A driving motor, wherein the output end of the driving motor is connected to one end of the sprocket shaft at an edge position on one side of the top of the frame.

[0015] Preferably, the transmission chain system further comprises:

[0016] A frame body, the frame body is arranged at the edge position of the other side of the top of the frame body, a group of the seat bodies at the edge position of the other side of the top of the frame body are slidably connected in the frame body, and two threaded holes are arranged at intervals at a position of the frame body away from the box body;

[0017] Two screw rods are respectively threadedly connected to the two threaded holes, and one end of the two screw rods is respectively connected to a group of the seat bodies.

[0018] Preferably, the ultrasonic vibration plate is a flat plate, and at least three ultrasonic generators of different frequencies are arranged on the ultrasonic vibration plate, each of the ultrasonic generators is provided with at least five vibrators, and at least five vibrators of each ultrasonic generator are arranged inside the ultrasonic vibration plate along the length direction of the ultrasonic vibration plate;

[0019] The ultrasonic thawing device further comprises two first protection boxes, which are respectively arranged above and below a portion of the transmission chain system, and the ultrasonic generators of the two ultrasonic vibration plates are respectively arranged in the two first protection boxes.

[0020] Preferably, the ultrasonic vibration plate is provided with a plurality of bending portions and forms at least three plate surfaces, wherein two ends of one of the ultrasonic vibration plates are respectively connected to two ends of another ultrasonic vibration plate, and at least three ultrasonic generators of different frequencies on the ultrasonic vibration plate are respectively arranged on the three plate surfaces, each of the ultrasonic generators is provided with at least five vibrators, and at least five vibrators of each ultrasonic generator are distributed in one of the plate surfaces;

[0021] The ultrasonic thawing device also includes a second protective box, which is ring-shaped. The transmission chain system passes through the inner ring of the second protective box. The inner ring of the second protective box is connected to the outer side of the area surrounded by the two ultrasonic vibration plates. The ultrasonic generator is arranged in the second protective box.

[0022] Preferably, the ultrasonic thawing device further comprises a material storage box, which is arranged at a position of the frame close to the end of the transmission chain system and is used for receiving the thawed meat on the transmission chain system.

[0023] Preferably, the ultrasonic thawing device also includes a controller, which is electrically connected to a plurality of ultrasonic generators, and is used to send working instructions to an ultrasonic generator of a single frequency, or to send synchronous working instructions or sequential cycle working instructions to at least two ultrasonic generators of different frequencies.

[0024] An ultrasonic thawing method, using an ultrasonic thawing device, the thawing method comprises:

[0025] Inject thawing medium into the box to immerse the ultrasonic vibration plate;

[0026] Controlling the operation of an ultrasonic generator of a single frequency, or controlling at least two ultrasonic generators of different frequencies to operate synchronously or in a sequential cycle;

[0027] The meat to be thawed is placed at the initial end of the transmission chain system, and the transmission chain system is controlled to operate so that the meat to be thawed is transmitted between the two ultrasonic vibration plates to achieve thawing of the meat.

[0028] Preferably, the synchronous operation of at least two ultrasonic generators of different frequencies is the synchronous operation of a dual-frequency ultrasonic generator, the synchronous operation of a triple-frequency ultrasonic generator, or the synchronous operation of a quad-frequency ultrasonic generator;

[0029] The sequential cyclic operation of at least two ultrasonic generators with different frequencies is the sequential cyclic operation of a dual-frequency ultrasonic generator, the sequential cyclic operation of a triple-frequency ultrasonic generator, or the sequential cyclic operation of a quadruple-frequency ultrasonic generator.

[0030] Preferably, the temperature of the thawing medium is controlled at 10-40°C.

[0031] The present invention provides an ultrasonic thawing device and a thawing method, and the beneficial effects are as follows: when the ultrasonic thawing device of the present invention is working, meat to be thawed is placed at the initial end of a transmission chain system, and the meat to be thawed is continuously transported to between two ultrasonic vibration plates through the transmission chain system. After receiving ultrasonic treatment, the thawed meat will continue to be transported to the end through the transmission chain system. When receiving ultrasonic treatment, since a single frequency ultrasonic generator working mode or a synchronous working mode or a sequential cycle working mode of at least two ultrasonic generators with different frequencies can be implemented, the ultrasonic frequencies of different modes can be adjusted to obtain the best combined frequency mode for thawing meat, and then the cavitation and microjet effects generated by the multi-frequency combined ultrasound are used to pre-treat the meat in a frozen state, so as to increase the melting rate of ice crystals inside the meat, thereby achieving the purpose of rapid thawing, and providing a new idea of ​​multi-frequency and multi-mode ultrasonic thawing for the processing of frozen meat products.

[0032] When the ultrasonic thawing method of the present invention is implemented, the meat to be thawed is transported between two ultrasonic vibration plates and immersed in a thawing medium, and an ultrasonic generator of a single frequency is controlled to work, or at least two ultrasonic generators of different frequencies are controlled to work synchronously or sequentially in a cycle to achieve working modes with different combinations of ultrasonic frequencies. When receiving ultrasonic treatment, the best combined frequency mode for thawing the meat can be obtained by adjusting the ultrasonic frequencies of different modes, thereby achieving a precise combination of thawing parameters at the ultrasonic frequency level.

[0033] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent through a more detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals generally represent like components throughout the exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 1 A flow chart of an ultrasonic thawing method according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0036] Figure 2 The schematic diagram of the front cross-sectional structure of an ultrasonic thawing device according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 ;

[0037] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a cross-sectional top view of an ultrasonic vibration plate of an ultrasonic thawing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0038] Figure 4 The schematic diagram of the front cross-sectional structure of an ultrasonic vibration plate of an ultrasonic thawing device according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 ;

[0039] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the side structure of a second protective box of an ultrasonic vibration plate of an ultrasonic thawing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0040] Figure 6 A schematic side cross-sectional structure diagram of a second protective box of an ultrasonic vibration plate of an ultrasonic thawing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0041] Description of reference numerals:

[0042] 1. Frame; 2. Box; 3. Ultrasonic vibration plate; 4. Ultrasonic generator; 5. Sprocket shaft; 6. Chain; 7. Sprocket; 8. Driving motor; 9. Frame; 10. Screw; 11. Vibrator; 12. First protective box; 13. Second protective box; 14. Storage box; 15. Base. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below. Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below, it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited by the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided to make the present invention more thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

[0044] like Figure 2 The present invention provides an ultrasonic thawing device, which comprises:

[0045] Frame 1;

[0046] A box body 2, the interior of the box body 2 is used to accommodate a thawing medium, the box body 2 is arranged inside the frame body 1, and an opening is provided on the top of the box body 2;

[0047] The transmission chain system is annular, a part of the transmission chain system is transmitted inside the box body 2 through the opening, another part of the transmission chain system is transmitted outside the box body 2, and both sides of the transmission chain system are respectively transmitted on both sides of the box body 2;

[0048] Two ultrasonic vibration plates 3 are arranged inside the box 2 and are respectively arranged above and below a part of the transmission chain system. Each ultrasonic vibration plate 3 is provided with an ultrasonic generator 4 of at least three different frequencies.

[0049] Specifically, in order to solve the problem that the traditional thawing methods include hot air or water bath thawing, although thawing can be achieved, it takes a long time, consumes a lot of energy and is not efficient, and there are also problems such as low thawing uniformity, enzymatic browning and microbial contamination, the present invention provides an ultrasonic thawing device, the box 2 of the thawing device is trapezoidal, the inside of the frame 1 of the thawing device and the outside of the box 2 are filled with sound-absorbing cotton to reduce the noise generated by vibration, the inside of the box 2 of the thawing device is welded and polished to obtain a smooth surface, the frame 1 of the thawing device is a stainless steel frame, and foot pads are provided at the four corners of the bottom of the frame 1. When the thawing device is working, the meat to be thawed is placed at the initial end of the transmission chain system, and the transmission chain The system continuously transports the meat to be thawed to between two ultrasonic vibration plates 3. After receiving ultrasonic treatment, the thawed meat will continue to be transported to the end through the transmission chain system. When receiving ultrasonic treatment, since a single frequency ultrasonic generator 4 working mode, or at least two ultrasonic generators 4 with different frequencies can be implemented in a synchronous working mode or a sequential cycle working mode, the ultrasonic frequencies of different modes can be adjusted to obtain the best combined frequency mode for thawing meat, and then the cavitation and microjet effects generated by the multi-frequency combined ultrasound are used to pre-treat the frozen meat to increase the melting rate of the ice crystals inside it, thereby achieving the purpose of rapid thawing, providing a new idea for the processing of frozen meat products based on multi-frequency and multi-mode ultrasonic thawing.

[0050] Preferably, the transmission chain system comprises:

[0051] Six groups of seat bodies 15, a group of seat bodies 15 are arranged on both sides of the box body 2 at the bottom of the frame body 1, a group of seat bodies 15 are arranged on both sides of the box body 2 at the top of the frame body 1, and a group of seat bodies 15 are arranged at the edge positions of both sides of the top of the frame body 1, and the two seat bodies 15 of each group of seat bodies 15 are respectively rotatably connected to the two ends of a sprocket shaft 5;

[0052] Two chains 6 are arranged at intervals, a plurality of discs are arranged between the two chains 6, two ends of each disc are respectively connected to a link of one chain 6 and a link of the other chain 6, and each chain 6 is sleeved on the outside of the area surrounded by the plurality of sprocket shafts 5;

[0053] Six groups of sprockets 7, each sprocket shaft 5 is connected with a group of sprockets 7 at intervals, and the two sprockets 7 of each group of sprockets 7 are respectively meshed and connected with two chains 6;

[0054] A driving motor 8 , the output end of which is connected to one end of a sprocket shaft 5 at an edge position on one side of the top of the frame 1 .

[0055] Specifically, the chain 6 is made of SUS304 stainless steel. The chain 6 in the box 2 is suspended inside the box 2 by gravity. The drive motor 8 is electrically connected to the frequency converter. The drive motor 8 can be a variable frequency reduction motor. When the drive motor 8 is working, the frequency converter can be adjusted to set the rotation speed of the sprocket shaft 5, and then under the transmission action of the sprocket 7, the moving speed of the chain 6 can be controlled.

[0056] Each link of the chain 6 is provided with a baffle, which is perpendicular to the tray body and can prevent the meat from being separated from the tray body.

[0057] Preferably, the transmission chain system further comprises:

[0058] The frame 9 is arranged at the edge of the other side of the top of the frame 1, a group of seats 15 at the edge of the other side of the top of the frame 1 are slidably connected in the frame 9, and two threaded holes are arranged at intervals at a position of the frame 9 away from the box 2;

[0059] Two screw rods 10 are respectively threadedly connected to the two threaded holes, and one end of the two screw rods 10 is respectively connected to a group of seat bodies 15.

[0060] Specifically, by rotating the screw rod 10 , the chain 6 can be tensioned to prevent the chain 6 from being separated from the sprocket 7 .

[0061] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, preferably, the ultrasonic vibration plate 3 is a flat plate, and at least three ultrasonic generators 4 of different frequencies are arranged on the ultrasonic vibration plate 3, each ultrasonic generator 4 is provided with at least five vibrators 11, and at least five vibrators 11 of each ultrasonic generator 4 are arranged inside the ultrasonic vibration plate 3 along the length direction of the ultrasonic vibration plate 3;

[0062] The ultrasonic thawing device further comprises two first protection boxes 12 , which are respectively arranged above and below a portion of the transmission chain system, and the ultrasonic generators 4 of the two ultrasonic vibration plates 3 are respectively arranged in the two first protection boxes 12 .

[0063] Specifically, each ultrasonic vibration plate 3 is provided with three ultrasonic generators 4 of different frequencies, and the center points of the three ultrasonic generators 4 of different frequencies are arranged at intervals of 90 mm. Each ultrasonic generator 4 is provided with five vibrators 11, which are arranged in a line along the length of the ultrasonic vibration plate 3. The vibrators 11 of the same frequency are 80 mm apart. The upper vibrator 11 vibrates downward, and the lower vibrator 11 vibrates upward and fits with the bottom of the box 2. The upper ultrasonic vibration plate 3 is provided with ultrasonic generators 4 of three frequencies of 22, 28 and 40 kHz, and the lower ultrasonic vibration plate 3 is provided with ultrasonic generators 4 of three frequencies of 22, 28 and 50 kHz.

[0064] The first protection box 12 is connected to the inner side of the box body 2 , and is used to protect the ultrasonic generator 4 to prevent the thawing medium from soaking the ultrasonic generator 4 .

[0065] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, preferably, the ultrasonic vibration plate 3 is provided with a plurality of bending portions and forms at least three plate surfaces, wherein two ends of one ultrasonic vibration plate 3 are respectively connected to two ends of another ultrasonic vibration plate 3, and at least three ultrasonic generators 4 of different frequencies on the ultrasonic vibration plate 3 are respectively arranged on the three plate surfaces, and each ultrasonic generator 4 is provided with at least five vibrators 11, and at least five vibrators of each ultrasonic generator 4 are distributed in one plate surface;

[0066] The ultrasonic thawing device also includes a second protective box 13, which is ring-shaped. The transmission chain system runs through the inner ring of the second protective box 13. The inner ring of the second protective box 13 is connected to the outer side of the area surrounded by the two ultrasonic vibration plates 3. The ultrasonic generator 4 is arranged in the second protective box 13.

[0067] Specifically, the two ultrasonic vibration plates 3 can form a hexagon, and six ultrasonic generators 4 can be evenly distributed, which can ensure that the ultrasonic energy is evenly distributed in the box 2, with higher directionality and a larger effective coverage area. Each ultrasonic generator 4 can completely cover the meat slices to be thawed, thereby improving the thawing efficiency.

[0068] The second protection box 13 is connected to the inner side of the box body 1 . The second protection box 12 is used to protect the ultrasonic generator 4 to prevent the thawing medium from soaking the ultrasonic generator 4 .

[0069] Preferably, the ultrasonic thawing device further comprises a material storage box 14, which is arranged at a position of the frame 1 close to the end of the transmission chain system and is used to receive the thawed meat on the transmission chain system.

[0070] Specifically, the storage box 14 is used to collect the thawed meat transmitted by the transmission chain system.

[0071] Preferably, the ultrasonic thawing device also includes a controller, which is electrically connected to the multiple ultrasonic generators 4, and is used to send working instructions to the ultrasonic generator 4 of a single frequency, or send synchronous working instructions or sequential cycle working instructions to at least two ultrasonic generators 4 of different frequencies.

[0072] Specifically, the controller is provided with a control system interface, the ultrasonic thawing device further comprises a time relay, the controller is electrically connected to the time relay, and the controller is a sequential controller.

[0073] Manual or automatic time relay control programs can be used for circulation and different mode control, and a sequence controller can be used to realize automatic switching and working time setting of a single-frequency ultrasonic generator 4, a dual-frequency ultrasonic generator 4, a triple-frequency ultrasonic generator 4, and a quad-frequency ultrasonic generator 4.

[0074] Preferably, a sewage outlet is provided at the bottom of the box body 2, and an inlet for the thawing medium is provided on the side wall of the box body 2.

[0075] Preferably, an ultrasonic liquid level protection sensor is provided inside the box body 2.

[0076] Preferably, the thawing device further comprises a heater, which is arranged inside the box 2.

[0077] Preferably, the thawing device further comprises a secondary magnetic sheet, which is arranged on the ultrasonic vibration plate below and is used for magnetic connection with the chain 6 .

[0078] Specifically, the chain 6 between the two ultrasonic vibration plates 3 is prevented from moving upward.

[0079] like Figure 1 As shown, an ultrasonic thawing method, using an ultrasonic thawing device, the thawing method comprises:

[0080] Inject thawing medium into the box 1 to immerse the ultrasonic vibration plate 3;

[0081] Controlling an ultrasonic generator 4 of a single frequency to work, or controlling at least two ultrasonic generators 4 of different frequencies to work synchronously or in a sequential cycle;

[0082] The meat to be thawed is placed at the initial end of the transmission chain system, and the transmission chain system is controlled to operate so that the meat to be thawed is transmitted between the two ultrasonic vibration plates 3 to achieve thawing of the meat.

[0083] Specifically, when the thawing method is implemented, the meat to be thawed is transported between two ultrasonic vibration plates 3 and immersed in the thawing medium, and a single frequency ultrasonic generator 4 is controlled to work, or at least two ultrasonic generators 4 with different frequencies are controlled to work synchronously or sequentially in a cycle to achieve working modes with different combinations of ultrasonic frequencies. When receiving ultrasonic treatment, the best combined frequency mode for thawing the meat can be obtained by adjusting the ultrasonic frequencies of different modes, thereby achieving a precise combination of thawing parameters at the ultrasonic frequency level.

[0084] Preferably, after the meat is thawed on the transmission chain system, the thawing method further includes controlling the transmission chain system to transport the thawed meat to the end, and the thawed meat enters the storage box 14.

[0085] Specifically, the storage box 14 is used to collect the thawed meat, so as to record the output of each batch of thawed meat.

[0086] Preferably, after all the meat to be thawed is thawed, the driving motor 8 is turned off, the power supply is cut off, the drain port is unscrewed to discharge the thawing medium, and the box body 1 is cleaned again.

[0087] Specifically, if some areas cannot be cleaned, the drive motor 8 can be restarted and reversed to remove impurities at the bottom. After cleaning, the area can be dried naturally and covered with a dust cover.

[0088] Preferably, the synchronous operation of at least two ultrasonic generators 4 of different frequencies is a synchronous operation of a dual-frequency ultrasonic generator 4, a synchronous operation of a triple-frequency ultrasonic generator 4, or a synchronous operation of a quad-frequency ultrasonic generator 4;

[0089] The sequential cyclic operation of at least two ultrasonic generators 4 with different frequencies is the sequential cyclic operation of a dual-frequency ultrasonic generator 4 , the sequential cyclic operation of a triple-frequency ultrasonic generator 4 , or the sequential cyclic operation of a quadruple-frequency ultrasonic generator 4 .

[0090] Specifically, the synchronous processing mode refers to that at least two frequencies are excited simultaneously, and the sequential cycle mode refers to that at least two frequencies are excited separately in a certain order.

[0091] Preferably, before controlling the ultrasonic generator 4 of a single frequency to work, or controlling at least two ultrasonic generators 4 of different frequencies to work synchronously or sequentially and cyclically, the thawing method further comprises:

[0092] Adjust the control system interface to set the ultrasonic working frequency to single frequency, dual frequency, triple frequency or quad frequency;

[0093] Set the working mode to single-frequency processing, dual-frequency sequential cycle processing or synchronous processing, triple-frequency sequential cycle processing or synchronous processing, quad-frequency sequential cycle processing or synchronous processing, and set the ultrasonic processing working time and interval time.

[0094] Preferably, controlling the operation of the transmission chain system includes: starting the driving motor 8, and the variable frequency reduction motor and the sprocket 7 rotate synchronously, thereby pulling the chain 6 to move.

[0095] Preferably, the synchronous processing combination modes of the dual-frequency ultrasonic generator 4 specifically include the following: ① 22+28kHz; ② 22+40kHz; ③ 22+50kHz; ④ 28+40kHz; ⑤ 28+50kHz; ⑥ 40+50kHz.

[0096] Preferably, the sequential cycle processing combination modes of the dual-frequency ultrasonic generator 4 specifically include the following: ①22-28-…-22-28kHz; ②22-40-…-22-40kHz; ③22-50-…-22-50kHz; ④28-40-…-28-40kHz; ⑤28-50-…-28-50kHz; ⑥40-50-…-40-50kHz.

[0097] Preferably, the synchronous processing combination modes of the three-frequency ultrasonic generator 4 specifically include the following: ① 22+28+40kHz; ② 22+28+50kHz; ③ 22+40+50kHz; ④ 28+40+50kHz.

[0098] Preferably, the sequential cycle processing combination mode of the three-frequency ultrasonic generator 4 specifically includes the following: ①22-28-40-…-22-28-40kHz; ②22-40-28-…-22-40-28kHz; ③22-28-50-…-22-28-50kHz; ④22-50-28-…-22-50-28kHz; ⑤22-40-50-…-22-40-50kHz; ⑥22-50-40-…-22-50-40kHz; ⑦28-40-50-…-28-40-50kHz; ⑧28-50-40-…-28-50-40kHz.

[0099] Preferably, the synchronous processing combination mode of the four-frequency ultrasonic generator 4 specifically includes the following one: 22+28+40+50kHz.

[0100] Preferably, the sequential cycle processing combination mode of the four-frequency ultrasonic generator 4 specifically includes the following: ①22-28-40-50-…-22-28-40-50kHz; ②22-28-50-40-…-22-28-50-40kHz; ③22-40-50-28-…-22-40-50-28kHz; ④22-40-28-50-…-22-40-28-50kHz; ⑤22-50-28-40-…-22-50-28-40kHz; ⑥22-50-40-28-…-22-50-40-28kHz.

[0101] Preferably, during the sequential cycle treatment, the interval of alternating switching between the ultrasonic frequencies is controlled to be 2 to 60 seconds.

[0102] Preferably, the total ultrasonic treatment time is controlled within 5-120 min.

[0103] Preferably, the temperature of the thawing medium is controlled at 10-40°C.

[0104] Preferably, the ultrasonic power used is controlled within the range of 0 to 3.5 kW.

[0105] Preferably, the sources of frozen meat include: poultry farms, cold meat markets, large supermarkets, etc.; or from low-temperature cold storages that store frozen meat at -40 to -25°C.

[0106] Preferably, the meat sample to be thawed needs to be packaged after the air is evacuated using a plastic sealing machine.

[0107] In summary, when the thawing method is implemented using the thawing device, the meat needs to remove visible fascia and fat before freezing, put it into a plastic bag and freeze it in a refrigerator for 48 hours, and then conduct a thawing experiment.

[0108] Thawing medium concentration: 0.9% (w / v) saline.

[0109] Thawing process:

[0110] Inject thawing medium into casing 2, liquid level height needs to exceed ultrasonic vibration plate 3 upper edge, and set the constant temperature of water bath, after thawing medium in casing 2 reaches preset temperature, prepare to start thawing, before thawing starts, need to first be to be thawed meat with plastic bag package, in order to prevent juice loss. Subsequently, set ultrasonic treatment frequency, combination mode and treatment time, open drive motor 8 drive sprocket 7 to rotate, and drive chain 6 to run, when the meat to be thawed is transmitted to between two ultrasonic vibration plates 3, can select to temporarily stop the operation of chain 6 according to actual needs, make the meat to be thawed fully accept ultrasonic treatment, then open chain 6, the meat after thawing is transported to the storage box at the rear. Then, turn off ultrasonic generator 4, turn off drive motor 8, complete a round of thawing operation. If continuous processing is required, after the previous frozen meat has been accepted ultrasonic treatment, continue to feed at the initial end position of the transmission chain system.

[0111] The details are shown in the following embodiments.

[0112] Embodiment 1:

[0113] The frozen duck breast meat was thawed by air thawing, static water thawing and ultrasonic thawing. The raw material of duck breast meat was the original uncut whole piece of frozen duck breast meat of similar size, about 130×90×35mm. The thawing end point was determined when the temperature of the center of the meat sample rose to 0°C. The experimental results showed that air thawing took 261 minutes, static water thawing took 133 minutes, 28-40kHz sequential cyclic ultrasonic treatment (30s alternating frequency, the same below) took 78.5 minutes; 40-50kHz sequential cyclic ultrasonic treatment took 82.5 minutes; 22-50kHz sequential cyclic ultrasonic treatment took 95.5 minutes. Compared with air and static water thawing methods, the thawing efficiency was increased by 63.4% to 69.9% and 28.1% to 40.9% respectively by using the thawing method and the thawing device for ultrasonic thawing.

[0114] The texture index of duck breast treated with 28-40kHz sequential cycle ultrasound was measured, and its hardness was 435.1N, elasticity was 2.32mm, adhesiveness was 95.6N, chewiness was 221.9mJ, and shear force was 140.7N. Compared with static water thawing, the hardness of duck breast treated with 28-40kHz ultrasound thawing decreased by 5.1%, elasticity decreased by 19.2%, adhesiveness increased by 5.2%, chewiness decreased by 14.9%, and shear force decreased by 16.8%.

[0115] The texture index of duck breast treated with 40-50kHz sequential cycle ultrasound was measured, and its hardness was 322.5N, elasticity was 3.07mm, adhesiveness was 79.3N, chewiness was 249.9mJ, and shear force was 95.4N. Compared with static water thawing, the hardness of duck breast treated with 40-50kHz ultrasound thawing decreased by 29.6%, elasticity increased by 6.9%, adhesiveness decreased by 12.8%, chewiness decreased by 4.2%, and shear force decreased by 43.5%.

[0116] The texture index of duck breast treated with 22-50kHz sequential cycle ultrasound was measured, and its hardness was 390.5N, elasticity was 3.19mm, adhesiveness was 85.1N, chewiness was 268.4mJ, and shear force was 122.3N. Compared with static water thawing, the hardness of duck breast treated with 22-50kHz ultrasound thawing decreased by 14.8%, elasticity increased by 11.1%, adhesiveness decreased by 6.4%, chewiness increased by 2.9%, and shear force decreased by 27.7%.

[0117] Example 2

[0118] The frozen beef blocks were thawed by hydrostatic thawing and ultrasonic thawing. The beef was cut into 50×30×30mm in size. The end point of thawing was determined when the temperature of the center of the meat sample rose to 0℃. The experimental results showed that the hydrostatic thawing time was 926s, the hardness was 426.3N, the chewiness was 538.7mJ, and the shear force was 134.1N. After 22-28-40kHz three-frequency sequential cyclic ultrasonic treatment, the thawing time decreased by 6.8%, the hardness decreased by 7.9%, the chewiness decreased by 8.4%, and the shear force decreased by 16.1%. After 22+28+40kHz three-frequency synchronous ultrasonic treatment, compared with hydrostatic thawing, the thawing time was reduced by 10.7%, the hardness decreased by 15.8%, the chewiness decreased by 13.8%, and the shear force decreased by 30.1%.

[0119] Example 3

[0120] The frozen hairtail was thawed by hydrostatic thawing and ultrasonic thawing. The size of the hairtail meat was 50×30×5mm, and the thawing end point was determined when the temperature of the center of the meat sample rose to 0°C. The experimental results showed that the hydrostatic thawing time was 623s, the hardness was 309.4N, the chewiness was 28.6mJ, and the shear force was 19.5N. After 22-28-40-50kHz four-frequency sequential cyclic ultrasonic treatment, the thawing time decreased by 16.7%, the hardness decreased by 8.0%, the chewiness decreased by 21.3%, and the shear force decreased by 31.8%. After 22+28+40+50kHz four-frequency synchronous ultrasonic treatment, compared with hydrostatic thawing, the thawing time was reduced by 26.5%, the hardness decreased by 13.1%, the chewiness decreased by 33.9%, and the shear force decreased by 39.5%.

[0121] The results of the above embodiments show that when the thawing method uses the thawing device to process frozen meat, under the conditions of specific size cutting or no size cutting and different ultrasonic frequency combination modes, compared with static water thawing, multi-frequency ultrasonic thawing can significantly reduce the thawing time of duck meat by 28.1% to 40.9%, significantly reduce the thawing time of beef by 6.8% to 10.7%, and significantly reduce the thawing time of hairtail by 16.7% to 26.5%, and improve the thawing quality of meat samples. After thawing, the hardness of duck meat decreases by 5.1% to 29.6%, and the shear force decreases by 16.8% to 43.6%; the hardness of beef decreases by 7.9% to 15.8%, and the shear force decreases by 16.1% to 30.1%; the hardness of hairtail meat decreases by 8.0% to 13.1%, and the shear force decreases by 31.8% to 39.5%.

[0122] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, and the above description is exemplary, not exhaustive, and is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and changes will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic thawing device, characterized in that: The thawing device comprises: Frame; A box body, the interior of which is used to contain a thawing medium, the box body is arranged inside the frame body, and the top of the box body is provided with an opening; A transmission chain system, wherein the transmission chain system is annular, a part of the transmission chain system is transmitted to the inside of the box through the opening, another part of the transmission chain system is transmitted to the outside of the box, and two sides of the transmission chain system are respectively transmitted to two sides of the box; Two ultrasonic vibration plates are arranged inside the box and respectively arranged above and below a portion of the transmission chain system. Each ultrasonic vibration plate is provided with at least three ultrasonic generators of different frequencies.

2. An ultrasonic thawing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transmission chain system comprises: Six groups of seat bodies, wherein a group of seat bodies are arranged on both sides of the box body at the bottom of the frame body, a group of seat bodies are arranged on both sides of the box body at the top of the frame body, and a group of seat bodies are arranged at the edge positions of both sides of the top of the frame body, and the two seat bodies of each group of seat bodies are rotatably connected to the two ends of a sprocket shaft respectively; Two chains, the two chains are arranged at intervals, a plurality of discs are arranged between the two chains, two ends of each disc are respectively connected to a link of one of the chains and a link of the other chain, and each chain is sleeved on the outside of the area surrounded by the plurality of sprocket shafts; Six groups of sprockets, each of which is connected to a group of sprockets at intervals on the sprocket shaft, and the two sprockets of each group of sprockets are respectively meshed and connected with the two chains; A driving motor, wherein the output end of the driving motor is connected to one end of the sprocket shaft at an edge position on one side of the top of the frame.

3. An ultrasonic thawing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The transmission chain system further comprises: A frame body, the frame body is arranged at the edge position of the other side of the top of the frame body, a group of the seat bodies at the edge position of the other side of the top of the frame body are slidably connected in the frame body, and two threaded holes are arranged at intervals at a position of the frame body away from the box body; Two screw rods are respectively threadedly connected to the two threaded holes, and one end of the two screw rods is respectively connected to a group of the seat bodies.

4. The ultrasonic thawing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ultrasonic vibration plate is a flat plate, and at least three ultrasonic generators of different frequencies are arranged on the ultrasonic vibration plate, each of the ultrasonic generators is provided with at least five vibrators, and at least five vibrators of each ultrasonic generator are arranged inside the ultrasonic vibration plate along the length direction of the ultrasonic vibration plate; The ultrasonic thawing device further comprises two first protection boxes, which are respectively arranged above and below a portion of the transmission chain system, and the ultrasonic generators of the two ultrasonic vibration plates are respectively arranged in the two first protection boxes.

5. The ultrasonic thawing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ultrasonic vibration plate is provided with a plurality of bending portions and forms at least three plate surfaces, wherein two ends of one of the ultrasonic vibration plates are respectively connected to two ends of another ultrasonic vibration plate, and at least three ultrasonic generators of different frequencies on the ultrasonic vibration plate are respectively arranged on the three plate surfaces, each of the ultrasonic generators is provided with at least five vibrators, and at least five vibrators of each ultrasonic generator are distributed in one of the plate surfaces; The ultrasonic thawing device also includes a second protective box, which is ring-shaped. The transmission chain system runs through the inner ring of the second protective box. The inner ring of the second protective box is connected to the outer side of the area surrounded by the two ultrasonic vibration plates. The ultrasonic generator is arranged in the second protective box.

6. The ultrasonic thawing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ultrasonic thawing device also includes a material storage box, which is arranged at a position of the frame close to the end of the transmission chain system and is used to receive the thawed meat on the transmission chain system.

7. The ultrasonic thawing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ultrasonic thawing device also includes a controller, which is electrically connected to a plurality of ultrasonic generators. The controller is used to send a working instruction to an ultrasonic generator of a single frequency, or to send a synchronous working instruction or a sequential cycle working instruction to at least two ultrasonic generators of different frequencies.

8. An ultrasonic thawing method, using the ultrasonic thawing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The thawing method includes: Inject thawing medium into the box to immerse the ultrasonic vibration plate; Controlling the operation of an ultrasonic generator of a single frequency, or controlling at least two ultrasonic generators of different frequencies to operate synchronously or in a sequential cycle; The meat to be thawed is placed at the initial end of the transmission chain system, and the transmission chain system is controlled to operate so that the meat to be thawed is transmitted between the two ultrasonic vibration plates to achieve thawing of the meat.

9. An ultrasonic thawing method according to claim 8, characterized in that: At least two ultrasonic generators of different frequencies work synchronously, which are dual-frequency ultrasonic generators, triple-frequency ultrasonic generators, or quad-frequency ultrasonic generators. The sequential cyclic operation of at least two ultrasonic generators with different frequencies is the sequential cyclic operation of a dual-frequency ultrasonic generator, the sequential cyclic operation of a triple-frequency ultrasonic generator, or the sequential cyclic operation of a quadruple-frequency ultrasonic generator.

10. The ultrasonic thawing method according to claim 8, characterized in that: The temperature of the thawing medium was controlled at 10-40°C.

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