Refrigerator for maintaining the texture of a freshly prepared food product

Abstract

The application discloses a refrigerating machine for maintaining the taste of food made and sold immediately, which comprises an air inlet pipe for injecting air into a material cylinder, a material basin or a freezing cylinder of the refrigerating machine, and the air inlet pipe is connected with an air drying device for generating dry air. By injecting dry air into the material cylinder, the material basin or the freezing cylinder, the application can avoid or reduce the mixing of wet air and raw materials, so that the taste of food can be maintained after long-time refrigeration and stirring, and the quality of food is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a food refrigeration machine, specifically to a refrigeration machine that maintains the taste of freshly prepared and sold food. Background Technology

[0002] Refrigeration machines for making and selling food on-site include, but are not limited to, those commonly referred to in the industry or market as: ice cream machines, soft-serve ice cream machines, hard-serve ice cream machines, ice cream makers, Italian gelato machines, Italian gelato machines, slush machines, smoothie machines, milkshake machines, fruit smoothie machines, beverage machines, casseroles machines, cola machines, and instant beverage machines. Food prepared in these refrigeration machines can be sold on-site, either after preparation or during the preparation process.

[0003] Taking ice cream machines as an example, ice cream is generally made in a mixing tank while being cooled and stirred. During the making process, the ice cream ingredients are mixed with the air in the mixing tank or freezing tank to form semi-solid or solid ice cream with small crystalline particles, a certain amount of air, a certain degree of smoothness and overrun, and different softness and hardness.

[0004] Made-to-order Italian hard ice cream uses semi-enclosed or fully enclosed lids to insulate or protect the ice cream container. With a semi-enclosed lid, the ice cream is in direct contact with air for extended periods; with a fully enclosed lid, the ice cream is still in direct contact with air when the container is opened or toppings are added. During the prolonged cooling process inside the container, the ice cream toppings inevitably condense moisture from the air. This condensation then mixes with the toppings, gradually increasing the water content of the ice cream. This results in a icy texture, reduced smoothness, and a noticeably diminished flavor, ultimately rendering the ice cream unsuitable for sale.

[0005] Soft serve ice cream machines store liquid ice cream mix in a mixing bowl. To ensure food safety, most ice cream machines require cooling the liquid mix in the bowl. During the cooling process, the low temperature of the bowl's inner wall or the ice cream mix causes air above the bowl to condense into water, which then mixes into the ice cream mix. Simultaneously, some machines inject air into the freezing cylinder, where the pre-mixed liquid ice cream mix is ​​cooled and churned. Over a prolonged cooling process, the moisture from the air (within the normal moisture content of the mixing bowl or the injected air into the freezing cylinder) naturally enters the liquid or solid ice cream, altering the water content of the ingredients and thus changing the texture. As the cooling time increases, this can lead to ice crystals or the ice cream failing to set, severely impacting the taste.

[0006] These types of refrigeration machines typically use material tanks or freezing tanks as the food refrigeration and processing section. Some refrigeration machines also have separate material trays for storing raw materials. Before being sold, the food or raw materials in the material tanks, freezing tanks, or material trays may be in contact with the air for a long time. The moisture in the air gradually mixes into the food or raw materials, changing the moisture ratio in the food and causing a decline in taste. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention provides a refrigeration machine for maintaining the texture of freshly prepared food. During the food refrigeration, stirring, and fresh preparation and sales process, it can reduce the air moisture mixed into the food or raw materials, allowing the food to maintain its texture for a longer time and ensuring the quality of the food.

[0008] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows:

[0009] A refrigeration unit for maintaining the texture of freshly prepared food includes an air inlet pipe for injecting air into a material cylinder, material basin, or freezing cylinder of the refrigeration unit, the air inlet pipe being connected to an air drying device for generating dry air.

[0010] This invention injects dry air into the material cylinder or basin. Since dry air is heavier than humid air, it can displace the existing humid air in the material cylinder or basin, thus avoiding or reducing the mixing of humid air with the raw materials. Injecting dry air into the freezing cylinder reduces the moisture content of the air entering the freezing cylinder compared to injecting normal air. The solution of this invention can maintain the texture of ice cream even after long-term refrigeration and stirring, ensuring the quality of the ice cream.

[0011] The present invention also has the following preferred designs:

[0012] This invention can produce dry air using a freezing method. The air drying device includes an evaporation chamber with an outlet pipe connected to an inlet pipe. The evaporation chamber is also connected to an air pump, and an evaporator is installed inside the evaporation chamber for heat exchange with the air within the chamber. This invention injects air into the evaporation chamber via the air pump. The air exchanges heat with the evaporator within the evaporation chamber, and water vapor in the air condenses and sinks through low-temperature freezing. To improve the efficiency of dry air production, the pressure range for producing dry air within the evaporation chamber is 0.01 MPa to 20.0 MPa.

[0013] This invention utilizes the refrigeration system of a refrigeration machine to produce dry air. The evaporator in the evaporation chamber of this invention has a refrigerant inlet pipe and a refrigerant outlet pipe. The refrigerant inlet pipe is connected to the main refrigeration pipe of the refrigeration machine, and the refrigerant outlet pipe is connected to the compressor return port of the refrigeration machine.

[0014] The main refrigeration pipe of this invention is connected to the inlet of a three-way pipe. One outlet of the three-way pipe is connected to the evaporator of the refrigerator via a first throttling device, and the other outlet of the three-way pipe is connected to an evaporator chamber cooling solenoid valve. The evaporator chamber cooling solenoid valve is connected to the refrigerant inlet pipe of the evaporator chamber via a second throttling device. This invention provides a cooling source to the evaporator chamber through a second throttling device that diverts water from the main refrigeration pipe. When dry air preparation is not required, the evaporator chamber cooling solenoid valve can be closed, and the refrigerant inlet pipe is controlled by the evaporator chamber cooling solenoid valve to control the flow of refrigerant. A filter can be installed on the main refrigeration pipe for refrigerant filtration.

[0015] The present invention includes an outlet solenoid valve on the outlet pipe of the evaporation chamber. After the compressor of the refrigeration unit starts, the evaporation chamber cooling solenoid valve and the air intake pump are opened simultaneously or separately. When the preset opening time value of the refrigeration system or the preset pressure value of the evaporation chamber is reached, the outlet solenoid valve is opened continuously or intermittently to inject dry air into the material cylinder, material basin, or freezing cylinder. The outlet solenoid valve can also be opened when the cylinder cover is open and the food or food raw materials in the material cylinder or material basin are being cooled, injecting freeze-dried air into the material cylinder or material basin respectively.

[0016] The evaporator outlet pipe of the present invention is also equipped with a pressure sensor, which is located on the pipeline between the outlet solenoid valve and the evaporator, and can monitor the pressure inside the evaporator.

[0017] The evaporation chamber of this invention has an evaporation chamber drain pipe, and a drain valve is provided on the evaporation chamber drain pipe. The drain pipe is used to drain the condensate in the evaporation chamber. The evaporation chamber is in working condition when preparing dry air, at which time the drain valve must be closed. A water collection tray can be provided below the drain pipe.

[0018] The present invention can install a humidity sensor in the material cylinder or basin, and inject dry air into the material cylinder or basin when the humidity in the material cylinder or basin reaches a set threshold.

[0019] This invention connects the air injection pipe of the refrigeration cylinder to the dry air pipe, allowing dry air to be injected when air injection is required.

[0020] The air drying device of the present invention can also be a stand-alone air drying device that is not associated with the refrigeration system of the refrigeration unit.

[0021] An air filter device is installed on the original air inlet of the air pump or on the pipeline between the air pump and the evaporation chamber of the present invention to filter impurities in the air and ensure food safety.

[0022] The present invention includes an ice thickness sensor installed inside the evaporation chamber or a temperature sensor installed on the refrigerant outlet pipe of the evaporation chamber, for monitoring the refrigeration status within the evaporation chamber. By comparing the real-time temperature or ice thickness monitoring value with a preset threshold, it can be determined whether the evaporator in the evaporation chamber needs defrosting or de-icing, thus ensuring the effective drying of the air prepared within the evaporation chamber.

[0023] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0024] 1. This invention injects dry air with low moisture content into the material cylinder or basin of a refrigeration machine. Dry air is heavier than normal humid air, thus displacing the existing humid air in the cylinder or basin. Injecting dry air into the freezing cylinder of this invention reduces the moisture content of the air entering the freezing cylinder compared to injecting normal air. By avoiding or minimizing the mixing of humid air with raw materials or prepared but unsold food, the texture of the food can be maintained even after prolonged refrigeration and stirring, ensuring food quality.

[0025] 2. In the improved design of this invention, the refrigeration pipeline of the refrigeration machine is used to generate freeze-dried air, which is compact, occupies little space, and has low cost. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments:

[0027] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of an air drying device according to the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Decomposition diagram of the evaporation chamber of the air dryer;

[0029] Figure 3 This is an external structural diagram of a hard ice cream machine according to Embodiment 1;

[0030] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Internal structure diagram of an ice cream machine after the air drying device is installed;

[0031] Figure 5 This is an internal structural diagram of a hard ice cream machine after the air drying device is installed in Example 2;

[0032] Figure 6 This is an internal structural diagram of a hard ice cream machine after the air drying device is installed in Example 3;

[0033] Figure 7 This is an internal structural diagram of a soft-serve ice cream machine after the air drying device is installed in Example 4;

[0034] Figure 8 for Figure 7Enlarged view of part A;

[0035] Figure 9 This is an internal structural diagram of an ice cream melting machine after the air drying device is installed in Example 5;

[0036] Figure 10 for Figure 9 Enlarged view of part B.

[0037] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0038] 1. Evaporator chamber; 2. Evaporator chamber drain pipe; 3. Evaporator chamber outlet pipe; 4. Inlet pump; 5. Refrigerant inlet pipe; 6. Refrigerant outlet pipe; 7. Evaporator chamber evaporator; 8. Drain valve; 9. Pressure sensor; 10. Outlet solenoid valve; 11. Ice cream machine; 12. Cylinder cover; 13. Feed cylinder; 13a. Feeding port of the feed cylinder; 14. Inlet pipe; 15. Main refrigeration pipe; 16. Filter; 17. T-connector; 18. First throttling device; 19. Second throttling device; 20. Evaporator chamber refrigerant solenoid valve; 21. Evaporator chamber refrigerant return pipe; 22. Feed tray; 23. Freezing cylinder. Detailed Implementation

[0039] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention more apparent, exemplary embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein. Based on the embodiments of the present invention described herein, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without inventive effort should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0040] It should be understood that the invention can be embodied in various forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, providing these embodiments will make the disclosure thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0041] Example 1:

[0042] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, a refrigeration machine for maintaining the texture of freshly made food is a hard ice cream machine. The refrigeration machine includes an air inlet pipe 14 for injecting air into a material cylinder 13. The air outlet of the air inlet pipe 14 is located above the material cylinder 13. The air inlet pipe 14 is connected to an air drying device for generating dry air.

[0043] As a preferred embodiment, the air is dried by freezing. The air drying device includes an evaporation chamber 1, which has an evaporation chamber outlet pipe 3 connected to an inlet pipe 14. The evaporation chamber 1 is also connected to an inlet pump 4. An evaporator 7 for exchanging heat with the air in the evaporation chamber 1 is also provided in the evaporation chamber 1.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the evaporator 7 of the evaporator chamber has a refrigerant inlet pipe 5 and a refrigerant outlet pipe 6. The refrigerant inlet pipe 5 is connected to the main refrigeration pipe 15 of the ice cream machine 11, and the refrigerant outlet pipe 6 is connected to the compressor return port of the ice cream machine 11 through the refrigerant return pipe 21 of the evaporator chamber. The shape of the evaporator 7 of the evaporator chamber can be freely designed as needed to achieve the target requirement of preparing freeze-dried air using the evaporator chamber 1. To improve the efficiency of dry air preparation, the pressure range of the dry air prepared in the evaporator chamber 1 can be controlled between 0.01 MPa and 20.0 MPa. The main refrigeration pipe 15 and the compressor are components of the refrigeration system of the ice cream machine in the prior art, and will not be described in detail here. In this embodiment, the existing refrigeration pipes of the ice cream machine can be used to generate dry air, which can reduce the manufacturing cost of the ice cream machine. The entire air drying device can be set inside the ice cream machine 11, making the structure of the ice cream machine compact.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, a filter 16 can be optionally installed on the main refrigeration pipe 15. The filter 16 is used for refrigerant filtration, and its outlet is connected to the inlet of a three-way pipe 17. The three-way pipe 17 is used for refrigerant diversion; one part is used for refrigerating ice cream in the cylinder 13, and the other part is used to generate dry air. Specifically, one outlet of the three-way pipe 17 is connected to the evaporator of the ice cream machine 11 through a first throttling device 18, and the other outlet of the three-way pipe 17 is connected to an evaporator chamber cooling solenoid valve 20. The evaporator chamber cooling solenoid valve 20 is connected to the refrigerant inlet pipe 5 of the evaporator chamber evaporator 7 through a second throttling device 19. In this embodiment, the second throttling device 19, which diverts refrigerant from the main refrigeration pipe 15, provides a cooling source to the evaporator chamber. When it is not necessary to generate freeze-dried air, the evaporator chamber cooling solenoid valve 20 is closed, and the refrigerant inlet pipe 5 is controlled by the evaporator chamber cooling solenoid valve 20 to control the flow of refrigerant. The throttling device is a product of the prior art and can adopt a capillary structure.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, an outlet solenoid valve 10 is installed on the outlet pipe 3 of the evaporation chamber. After the compressor of the ice cream machine 11 starts, the evaporation chamber cooling solenoid valve 20 and the air intake pump 4 are opened simultaneously or separately. When the preset opening time value of the ice cream machine 11 system or the preset pressure value of the evaporation chamber 1 is reached, the outlet solenoid valve 10 is opened continuously or intermittently to inject dry air into the material cylinder 13. When the outlet solenoid valve 10 is closed, the evaporation chamber 1 is a sealed cavity. The preset opening time value and preset pressure value can be obtained through a dry air preparation test according to the characteristics of the device. During the process of the air intake pump 4 injecting air into the evaporation chamber 1, in order to facilitate the monitoring of the pressure in the evaporation chamber 1, this embodiment also installs a pressure sensor 9 on the outlet pipe 3 of the evaporation chamber. The pressure sensor 9 is installed on the pipeline between the outlet solenoid valve 10 and the evaporation chamber 1. In this embodiment, the outlet solenoid valve 10 can also be opened to inject freeze-dried air into the material cylinder 13 when the cylinder cover 12 is open or when the ice cream in the material cylinder 13 is being cooled.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the evaporation chamber 1 has an evaporation chamber drain pipe 2, and a drain valve 8 is provided on the evaporation chamber drain pipe 2. The evaporation chamber drain pipe 2 is used to drain the condensate in the evaporation chamber 1. When the evaporation chamber 1 is preparing dry air, the drain valve 8 needs to be closed. When there is no time to prepare dry air, the drain valve 8 can be opened to drain the water. A water collection tray can be provided below the evaporation chamber drain pipe 2.

[0048] As a preferred embodiment, a humidity sensor can be installed in the material cylinder 13 to inject dry air into the material cylinder 13 when the humidity in the material cylinder 13 reaches a set threshold.

[0049] As a preferred embodiment, an air filter can be installed on the original air inlet of the air intake pump 4 or on the pipe between the air intake pump 4 and the evaporation chamber 1 to filter impurities in the air and ensure food safety.

[0050] Example 2:

[0051] like Figure 5 As shown, the difference from Embodiment 1 is that the ice cream machine 11 in this embodiment has a horizontally arranged material cylinder 13, which is also used to make hard ice cream. In this embodiment, the ice cream machine 11 also includes an air inlet pipe 14 for injecting air into the material cylinder 13. The air outlet of the air inlet pipe 14 is connected to the rear end of the material cylinder 13. The air inlet pipe 14 is connected to an air drying device for generating dry air, which can directly inject dry air into the inside of the material cylinder 13, avoiding or reducing the mixing of humid air and ice cream ingredients in the material cylinder 13.

[0052] Example 3:

[0053] like Figure 6As shown, the ice cream machine in this embodiment differs from that in embodiment two in that the air inlet pipe 14 in this embodiment is connected to the feeding port 13a of the material cylinder 13. The feeding port 13a of the material cylinder 13 is normally closed and is used to seal the material cylinder 13. When dry air enters the material cylinder 13 through the feeding port 13a, since dry air is heavier than humid air, it can squeeze out the original humid air in the material cylinder 13, thereby avoiding or reducing the mixing of humid air with the ice cream ingredients in the material cylinder 13.

[0054] Example 4:

[0055] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the difference from Embodiment 1 is that this embodiment is a soft-serve ice cream machine. The ice cream machine 11 has a feed bowl 22 and a freezing cylinder 23, including two air inlet pipes 14 for injecting air into the feed bowl 22 and the freezing cylinder 23. The two air inlet pipes 14 are connected to an air drying device for generating dry air, which can inject dry air into the feed bowl 22 and the freezing cylinder 23 respectively. Each air inlet pipe 14 is equipped with an air outlet solenoid valve 10 to control the opening and closing of the dry air. The main refrigeration pipe 15 of the ice cream machine 11 is connected to a first throttling device 18 and a second throttling device 19 through a three-way pipe 17. The first throttling device 18 is connected to the evaporator of the freezing cylinder 23, and the second throttling device 19 is connected to the refrigerant inlet pipe 5 of the evaporation chamber 1.

[0056] In this embodiment, dry air is injected into the mixing bowl 22. Dry air is heavier than humid air, which can squeeze out the original humid air in the mixing bowl 22, thus avoiding or reducing the mixing of humid air with raw materials. Injecting dry air into the freezing cylinder 23 can reduce the water content entering the freezing cylinder compared to injecting normal air. Both methods can maintain the texture of ice cream after long-term refrigeration and stirring, thus ensuring the quality of ice cream.

[0057] In this embodiment, a humidity sensor can be installed in the material basin 22, and dry air can be injected into the material basin 22 when the humidity in the material basin 22 reaches a set threshold.

[0058] Example 5:

[0059] like Figure 9 and Figure 10As shown, the difference from Embodiment 1 is that the machine in this embodiment is an integrated ice cream slush machine. Its material tank 13, also called a material container, can make soft-serve ice cream, as well as slushies, smoothies, milkshakes, juices, and other liquid or semi-solid foods. This integrated machine has two independently operating material tanks 13, and each has an air inlet pipe 14 for injecting air into it. The air outlet of the air inlet pipe 14 is connected to the upper middle part of the material tank 13, and the air inlet pipe 14 is connected to an air drying device for generating dry air. When this integrated machine is used to make food, injecting dry air into the material tank 13 squeezes out the existing humid air inside, avoiding or reducing the mixing of humid air with the raw materials. This ensures that the texture of the raw materials is maintained even after prolonged refrigeration and stirring, guaranteeing the quality of the finished product.

[0060] In other embodiments, an ice thickness sensor can be installed in the evaporation chamber 1 or a temperature sensor can be installed in the refrigerant outlet pipe 6 of the evaporation chamber 1. By comparing the real-time ice thickness monitoring value or temperature monitoring value with the preset threshold of the refrigeration machine, it can be determined whether the evaporator 7 in the evaporation chamber is frosted or iced, so as to defrost in time after the evaporator is frosted or iced.

[0061] In other embodiments, other air drying devices may be used, such as a separate air drying device not associated with the refrigeration system of the integrated machine, or methods other than freeze-drying may be used to prepare dry air.

[0062] In the above embodiments, dry air is injected into the feed cylinder of a hard ice cream machine, the feed bowl and / or freezing cylinder of a soft ice cream machine, and the feed cylinder of an integrated ice cream melting machine through the air inlet pipe. This avoids or reduces the mixing of humid air with raw materials or prepared but unsold ice cream, thereby maintaining the texture of the ice cream even after prolonged refrigeration and stirring, and ensuring the quality of the ice cream. Furthermore, this invention can also be applied to a series of food refrigeration machines such as melting machines, smoothie machines, milkshake machines, fruit smoothie machines, beverage machines, saffron machines, cola machines, and freshly made drinks machines to avoid or reduce the mixing of humid air with raw materials or food, and maintain the texture of the food.

[0063] The above embodiments of the present invention are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. The implementation of the present invention is not limited thereto. All other modifications, substitutions or alterations made to the above structure of the present invention based on the above content of the present invention, in accordance with ordinary technical knowledge and common practice in the field, without departing from the basic technical idea of ​​the present invention, shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A refrigeration unit for maintaining the texture of freshly prepared food, comprising an air inlet pipe for injecting air into the refrigeration unit's material cylinder, material basin, or freezing cylinder, characterized in that, The air inlet pipe is connected to an air drying device for generating dry air, which injects dry air into the material cylinder, material basin, or freezing cylinder.

2. The refrigeration unit for maintaining the texture of freshly prepared food according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air drying device includes an evaporation chamber with an evaporation chamber outlet pipe connected to the inlet pipe. The evaporation chamber is also connected to an inlet pump, and an evaporator for exchanging heat with the air inside the evaporation chamber is also provided inside the evaporation chamber.

3. The refrigeration unit for maintaining the texture of freshly prepared food according to claim 2, characterized in that: The evaporator in the evaporation chamber has a refrigerant inlet pipe and a refrigerant outlet pipe. The refrigerant inlet pipe is connected to the main refrigeration pipe of the refrigeration machine, and the refrigerant outlet pipe is connected to the compressor return port of the refrigeration machine.

4. The refrigeration unit for maintaining the texture of freshly prepared food according to claim 3, characterized in that: The main refrigeration pipe is connected to the inlet of a three-way pipe. One outlet of the three-way pipe is connected to the evaporator of the refrigeration unit through a first throttling device. The other outlet of the three-way pipe is connected to an evaporator chamber refrigeration solenoid valve. The evaporator chamber refrigeration solenoid valve is connected to the refrigerant inlet pipe of the evaporator chamber through a second throttling device.

5. The refrigeration unit for maintaining the texture of freshly prepared food according to claim 4, characterized in that: An outlet solenoid valve is installed on the outlet pipe of the evaporator. After the compressor of the refrigeration machine starts, the evaporator cooling solenoid valve and the air inlet pump are opened simultaneously or separately. When the preset opening time value of the refrigeration machine system or the preset pressure value of the evaporator is reached, the outlet solenoid valve is opened continuously or intermittently to inject dry air into the material cylinder, material basin or freezing cylinder.

6. The refrigeration unit for maintaining the texture of freshly prepared food according to claim 5, characterized in that: A pressure sensor is also installed on the outlet pipe of the evaporator chamber. The pressure sensor is installed on the pipeline between the outlet solenoid valve and the evaporator chamber to monitor the pressure inside the evaporator chamber. An ice thickness sensor is installed inside the evaporator chamber or a temperature sensor is installed on the refrigerant outlet pipe of the evaporator chamber to monitor the refrigeration status inside the evaporator chamber.

7. The refrigeration unit for maintaining the texture of freshly prepared food according to claim 2, characterized in that: The evaporation chamber has an evaporation chamber drain pipe, and a drain valve is installed on the evaporation chamber drain pipe.

8. The refrigeration unit for maintaining the texture of freshly prepared food according to claim 1, characterized in that: A humidity sensor is installed inside the material cylinder or basin.

9. The refrigeration unit for maintaining the texture of freshly prepared food according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air drying device is a stand-alone air drying device.

10. The refrigeration unit for maintaining the texture of freshly prepared food according to claim 2, characterized in that: The pressure range for preparing dry air in the evaporation chamber is 0.01 MPa to 20.0 MPa.

Images