Individual quick-freezing unit, and individual quick-freeing device and individual quick-freezing facility using the same

Abstract

To provide a compact individual quick-freezing unit or the like having excellent performance for breaking down and freezing an object to be transported.SOLUTION: An individual quick-freezing unit comprises: a housing provided with a loading / unloading port on is lateral surface; an air-permeable conveyor that is arranged in the housing with a portion thereof adjacent to the loading / unloading port and is used to transport an object to be transported; and ventilation means for blowing air from below to above the conveyor. The individual quick-freezing unit has a first air passage that blows the object to be transported on the conveyor upward using the ventilation means, and a second air passage that bypasses the first air passage, where the second air passage is provided with a wave generator, and the wave generator intermittently introduces air from the ventilation means into the second air passage, thereby alternately blowing the object to be transported upward using air blown into the first air passage and suppressing the blowing-up.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention primarily relates to an individual quick freezing unit for performing bulk freezing (individual quick freezing (IQF)) of foods and the like, and to an individual quick freezing device and individual quick freezing equipment that use the individual quick freezing unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, individual quick freezing devices have been known that blow air from below a conveyor toward above the conveyor, causing the transported objects to float and fall, breaking them into pieces and freezing them. In this case, the transported objects fall after being floated while still being subjected to the large buoyancy force of the blown air, so the impact on the transported objects when they fall is generally limited.

[0003] Such an individual quick freezing device may, for example, comprise a housing made of heat-insulating walls and forming a horizontally long cooling space therein, a conveyor disposed on either the left or right side of the cooling space, with both ends in the conveying direction being led to the outside of the housing, a blower disposed in the cooling space and forming a circulating flow of cold air circulating in a transverse direction of the cooling space, and an air cooler disposed in the cooling space and cooling the circulating flow of cold air, wherein the conveyor comprises an endless conveyor belt having ventilating pores and a vibration generating unit that vibrates the conveyor belt in a forward direction in a vertical direction, and the blower is disposed on the side of the conveyor in a plan view, and a discharge port is disposed in the An individual quick freezing device is known in which the air cooler is disposed horizontally so as to face downward along the forward path of the conveyor belt, and the cold air circulation flow is such that cold air discharged from the air blows upward along the forward path of the conveyor belt, passes through the air cooler, and circulates to the inlet of the air blower, and the cold air circulation flow forms a positive pressure space in the area from the discharge side of the air blower to the forward path of the conveyor belt, and also forms a negative pressure space in the area from above the forward path of the conveyor belt to the inlet of the air blower, and the air cooler is disposed in the negative pressure space and discharges cooled air to the inlet side of the air blower (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2017-72350 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The individual quick freezing device shown in Patent Document 1 aims to make the device compact, and promotes the breaking up of conveyed objects (breaking up effect) by blowing up and vibrating on the conveyor belt.

[0006] However, even with the configuration of the present invention that applies vibration, there are cases in which the transported objects are not sufficiently broken down, and it is therefore desirable to be able to break down the transported objects more reliably.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the invention is to provide an individual quick freezing unit that has excellent performance in breaking down and freezing transported objects, and an individual quick freezing device and individual quick freezing facility that use the same.

[0008] In addition to the above-mentioned problems, another object of the present invention is to provide an individual quick-freezing unit that can be made more compact than conventional units, and an individual quick-freezing device and individual quick-freezing equipment that use the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The above-mentioned problem is solved by providing an individual quick freezing unit comprising a housing with an inlet / outlet on the side, a breathable conveyor for transporting transported objects that is arranged within the housing with a portion thereof adjacent to the inlet / outlet, and an air blowing means for blowing air from below to above the conveyor, the individual quick freezing unit having a first air passage through which the air blowing means blows up the transported objects on the conveyor, and a second air passage that bypasses the first air passage, the second air passage being equipped with a wave generator, and air from the air blowing means being intermittently introduced into the second air passage by the wave generator, thereby alternately blowing up the transported objects by blowing air into the first air passage and suppressing the blowing up. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, by intermittently introducing air from the air blowing means into the second air blowing path by the wave generator, the transported objects are alternately blown up by the air blown into the first air blowing path and then suppressed from being blown up, so that the transported objects blown up by the air blown then fall completely in a state where the air blow is greatly reduced, thereby applying a stronger impact than before.And because such falls accompanied by a stronger impact occur continuously, the effect of breaking down and freezing (individually freezing) can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective perspective view showing the front, top, and left side of an individual quick-freezing unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a front view, partly in section, showing the internal structure of an individual quick-freezing unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a left side view, partly in section, showing the internal structure of an individual quick-freezing unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a circulation path L1 (white arrow) passing through a first air flow path R1 in an individual quick-freezing unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5]10 is an explanatory diagram showing a circulation path L2 (white arrow) passing through a second air flow path R2 in the individual quick freezing unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a crank mechanism of a conveyor 2 in the individual quick-freezing unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] In an individual quick freezing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, (a) an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the conveyor moves in the backward direction and the transported object moves forward from a rear position on the loading plate due to inertial force, (b) an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the conveyor moves in the forward direction and generates frictional resistance, causing the transported object to move forward together with the conveyor, (c) an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the conveyor further moves in the backward direction and the transported object moves forward due to inertial force, and (d) an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the conveyor moves in the forward direction and generates frictional resistance, causing the transported object to move forward together with the conveyor due to inertial force. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a left side view, partly in section, showing the internal structure of an individual quick-freezing unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a circulation path L1 (white arrow) passing through a first delivery path R1 in an individual quick-freezing unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a circulation path L2 (white arrow) passing through a second delivery path R2 in an individual quick-freezing unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a left side view, partly in section, showing the internal structure of an individual quick-freezing unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, an individual quick-freezing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated. To facilitate understanding of the description, 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 the actual dimensional ratios.

[0013] An individual quick freezing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing having an inlet / outlet on the side, a breathable conveyor arranged within the housing with a portion thereof adjacent to the inlet / outlet and for transporting transported objects, and air blowing means for blowing air from below to above the conveyor, the individual quick freezing unit having a first air passage through which the air blowing means blows the transported objects on the conveyor upward, and a second air passage that bypasses the first air passage, the second air passage being equipped with a wave generator, and air from the air blowing means being intermittently introduced into the second air passage by the wave generator, thereby alternately blowing the transported objects upward by blowing air into the first air passage and suppressing the blowing up of the transported objects (first configuration).

[0014] According to the first configuration, the device is used in a freezing chamber, and by intermittently introducing air from the air blowing means into the second air duct using a wave generator, the transported objects are alternately blown up by the air blown into the first air duct and then suppressed from being blown up, so that the transported objects blown up by the air blown are then allowed to fall completely in a state where the air blow is greatly reduced, thereby applying a strong impact.And because such falls accompanied by a strong impact are performed continuously, the effect of breaking down and freezing the objects can be improved.

[0015] Furthermore, the present invention can be configured such that, based on the first configuration described above, the housing has a moving means (second configuration).

[0016] According to the second configuration, in addition to achieving the effects of the first configuration, the individual quick-freezing unit can be easily carried out from the freezer compartment, carried into the freezer compartment, or moved to any position within the freezer compartment, thereby improving convenience.

[0017] Furthermore, based on any of the above configurations, the present invention can be configured to include a drive unit and a crank mechanism driven by the drive unit, and the conveyor can be moved in both the forward direction and the opposite reverse direction, via the crank mechanism, by being driven by the drive unit, and the speed of the conveyor in the reverse direction is faster than the speed of the conveyor in the forward direction, so that when the conveyor moves in the forward direction, the objects being transported are transported together with the conveyor due to friction with the conveyor, and when the conveyor moves in the reverse direction, only the conveyor moves in the reverse direction relative to the objects being transported due to inertia (third configuration).

[0018] According to the third configuration, the conveyor includes a drive unit and a crank mechanism driven by the drive unit, and the drive unit drives the conveyor to move in both a forward direction and a reverse direction (i.e., a reverse direction), with the conveyor moving at a faster speed in the reverse direction than in the forward direction, so that when the conveyor moves in the forward direction, the objects are transported together with the conveyor due to friction with the conveyor, and when the conveyor moves in the reverse direction, inertia moves only the conveyor in the reverse direction relative to the objects. This not only achieves the effects of any of the above configurations, but also increases the residence time of the objects on a given length of the conveyor, thereby further advancing individual freezing. This allows individual freezing to be achieved even with a shorter conveyor, and enables the individual quick freezing unit to be made more compact. In addition, cooling air from below can be blown upward simply by passing it through a single mounting plate, which has the advantages of improving air blowing efficiency, ensuring space savings, and making the device more compact and lightweight.

[0019] Furthermore, the present invention is based on any one of the first to third configurations, and the blowing means can be arranged below the conveyor, have a blowing fan, and blow air in a direction intersecting the rotation axis of the blowing fan (fourth configuration).

[0020] According to the fourth configuration, in addition to achieving the effects of any of the above configurations, the blowing means is arranged below the conveyor and the blower fan blows air in a direction intersecting the rotation axis, so that a compact configuration can be realized that blows air from below to above the conveyor.

[0021] Furthermore, the present invention can be configured such that, based on any of the first to fourth configurations described above, a heat exchanger is provided at a position on the intake path of the blowing means, and a closed space forming means is provided for forming a closed space including the heat exchanger (fifth configuration).

[0022] According to the fifth configuration, in addition to achieving the effects of any of the configurations above, by providing a heat exchanger at a position above the intake path of the blower, the air can be cooled regardless of whether it passes through the first air flow path or the second air flow path, and individual quick freezing can be performed even outside the freezer compartment.

[0023] Furthermore, the present invention can provide an individual rapid cooling device (sixth configuration) comprising the individual rapid freezing unit of the fifth configuration above equipped with a cooling machine.

[0024] According to the sixth configuration, the device itself can be moved freely, and individual quick-freezing treatment can be carried out in any location and in any arrangement within the facility.

[0025] Furthermore, the present invention can be an individual quick freezing facility that stores an individual quick freezing unit of any one of the first to fourth configurations in a freezing chamber having a refrigerator and a heat exchanger (seventh configuration).

[0026] According to the seventh configuration, items can be carried in and out of the freezing chamber, and individual quick freezing treatment can be performed in a flexible layout.

[0027] Furthermore, the present invention can be an individual quick freezing facility that includes the fifth individual quick freezing device in a space having a refrigerator (eighth configuration).

[0028] According to the eighth configuration, the individual quick freezing process can be carried out with a flexible layout within the range where the refrigerator and the fifth individual quick freezing device are connected. [Example]

[0029] The individual quick freezing unit F1 according to Example 1 of the present invention is not equipped with a cooling means (specifically, a heat exchanger or a refrigerator), and is an individual quick freezing unit F1 used in an environment where cooled air is provided in a freezing room (e.g., a prefabricated freezer, etc.).

[0030] The individual quick freezing unit F1 according to this embodiment 1 is shown in Figures 1 to 3. For the sake of explanation, in the front view of Figure 2, the right side is the forward direction of the conveyor 2, and the left side is the backward direction of the conveyor 2. The front side is the front, and the rear side is the rear.

[0031] The individual quick-freezing unit F1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is configured by storing, within a housing 1, a frame section 12, a support section 29 connected and fixed directly or indirectly to the frame section 12, a blower 3, a conveyor 2, and a wave device 4. Note that the operating means for the power systems of the blower 3, conveyor 2, and wave device 4, as well as the processing means (control device, etc.) for the control systems, are provided outside the individual quick-freezing unit F1.

[0032] The housing 1 has a bottom 19 and a front panel 18, a rear panel 14, a left panel 17, and a right panel 16, which are respectively erected above the bottom 19 on the front, back, left, and right sides. A shielding plate 10 is provided between the front panel 18 and the rear panel 14, between the center and top of the housing 1. A top panel 15 is provided in contact with the upper end of the shielding plate 10, the upper end of the front panel 18, the upper end of the left panel 17, and the upper end of the right panel 16. The area surrounded by the upper end of the shielding plate 10, the upper end of the rear panel 14, the upper end of the left panel 17, and the upper end of the right panel 16 does not have the top panel 15, and instead has a top opening 13 formed therein. The top opening 13 is an opening for exhaust air.

[0033] The bottom 19 has a bottom plate 190 and standing edges 191 that stand on the left, right, and front peripheries. The bottom plate 190 has casters 5 at the four corners on the underside thereof to provide a means for movement.

[0034] The front panel 18 is divided into left and right halves and serves to close the front side of the space inside the housing 1.

[0035] The rear panel 14 is divided into an upper and lower section, with the lower section being the first rear panel 14a and the upper section being the second rear panel 14b. The first rear panel 14a has a rear opening 140 for intake. A fan guard 11 is provided around the rear opening 140 for intake to ensure safety. The fan guard 11 is breathable. The second rear panel 14b has an inspection door 141. The second rear panel 14b faces the shielding panel 10, and its upper portion is inclined at an elevation angle so as to be warped away from the shielding panel 10.

[0036] The left side panel 17 has a loading entrance 170. The right side panel 16 has a loading exit 160.

[0037] The shielding plate 10 is formed vertically from the bottom end to the approximate center position, and is inclined at an elevation angle from the approximate center position to the top end so as to be curved backward. An exhaust opening 100 for discharging air from the exhaust port 41 of the wave generator 4 is provided on this inclined surface.

[0038] The space located on the bottom 19 side within the housing 1 is defined as the air blower installation space R3. Of the space above the air blower installation space R3, the space behind the shielding plate 10 (i.e., the space surrounded by the shielding plate 10, the second back panel 14b, the left panel 17, and the right panel 16) is defined as the first air flow path R1. The space in front of the first air flow path R1 (i.e., the space in front of the shielding plate 10) (i.e., the space surrounded by the shielding plate 10, the front panel 18, the left panel 17, the right panel 16, and the top panel 15) is defined as the second air flow path R2. That is, the first air flow path R1 and the second air flow path R2 are both configured above the air blower installation space R3 and are separated by the shielding plate 10.

[0039] The blower means 3 is installed in the blower means installation space R3. The blower means 3 has a blower fan 30 with a rotation axis facing in the front-to-rear direction. The blower fan 30 blows air in a direction intersecting the rotation axis, specifically, upward. The air blowing means 3 is disposed at a position where air can be blown from the air blowing means 3 to both the first air blowing path R1 and the second air blowing path R2.

[0040] A conveyor 2 is disposed at the lower end position of the first air passage R1. The conveyor 2 is disposed linearly and continuously within the housing 1 between a position outside the housing 1 close to the carry-in entrance 170 and a position outside the housing 1 close to the carry-out exit 160. The conveyor 2 has a long loading plate 20 on which the transported object M is placed, a guide frame 2a that supports the loading plate 20 and guides the movement of the loading plate 20 in the forward and backward directions, and a crank mechanism C connected to the lower side of the loading plate 20.

[0041] A large number of small holes 20a are formed in the loading plate 20. The large number of small holes 20a have a diameter that prevents the transported objects M from passing through even when they are in a broken-up state. The large number of small holes 20a ensures breathability of the loading plate 20. In addition, handles 20b are provided on both longitudinal ends of the loading plate 20. The handles 20b allow an operator to hold on to the handles when attaching or detaching (pulling out or inserting) the loading plate 20 for maintenance, etc., thereby improving convenience.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows the crank mechanism C connected to the lower side of the mounting plate 20. A plate-frame-shaped hanger portion 21 is fixed to the underside of the mounting plate 20. The hanger portion 21 has two vertical frame portions 210 arranged in the forward / backward direction and a horizontal frame portion 211 connecting the lower ends of the vertical frame portions 210. The upper ends of each vertical frame portion 210 are fixed to the underside of the mounting plate 20. The hanger portion 21 is guided and supported by a plurality of pulley portions 28 to maintain horizontal movement.

[0043] Pulley section 28 has its shaft 280 attached to support section 29. Support section 29 is fixed to frame 12. Pulley section 28b in the lower position abuts against the lower edge of horizontal frame section 211 of hanger section 21 to support and guide hanger section 21. Pulley section 28a in the upper position abuts against the upper edge of horizontal frame section 211 of hanger section 21 to guide hanger section 21.

[0044] The drive shaft of a drive unit 27, which is the power source of the conveyor 2, is connected to the rotating shaft 24 by a bevel gear mechanism 26 (not shown). The rotating shaft 24 is fixed to a crank arm 23. The crank arm 23 is axially connected to one end of a link arm 22. The other end of the link arm 22 is axially connected to the hanger part 21 by a hanger-side shaft 25.

[0045] With the above configuration, as the drive shaft of the drive device 27 rotates, the rotating shaft 24 rotates in a direction perpendicular to the driving shaft via the bevel gear mechanism 26, causing the crank arm 23 to rotate together with the rotating shaft 24 (see arrow A1 in FIG. 6 ), and the link arm 22 pivotally attached to the crank arm 23 moves together with the hanger portion 21. The hanger portion 21, which is fixed to the mounting plate 20, can move forward and backward while maintaining its horizontal position thanks to the crank mechanism C and the multiple pulley units 28 (28a, 28b). In other words, the mounting plate 20 can move forward and backward while maintaining its horizontal position thanks to the crank mechanism C including the hanger portion 21 and the multiple pulley units 28 (28a, 28b). With one rotation of the crank arm 23, the mounting plate 20 moves from the retracted position to the advanced position and then returns to the retracted position.

[0046] Here, the speed at which the placement plate 20 is moved by the crank mechanism C is not constant, but is different in the forward direction (arrow A2 in FIG. 6) and in the backward direction (arrow A3 in FIG. 6). Specifically, the speed in the backward direction is set higher than the speed in the forward direction. As a result, when the placement plate 20 moves in the forward direction, the transported object M moves while remaining placed on the placement plate 20 due to the frictional force between the placement plate 20 and the placement plate 20. When the placement plate 20 moves in the backward direction, only the placement plate 20 moves in the backward direction relative to the transported object M due to the action of the inertial force f. By repeating this operation, the transported object M on the placement plate 20 moves in the forward direction, even though the conveyor 2 repeatedly moves in the forward and backward directions.

[0047] The wave generator 4 is configured to include a rotating blade 43 having a rotating shaft 42 that spans the width direction of a casing that has an intake port 40 and an exhaust port 41. One end of the rotating shaft 42 is provided with a driving means 44, and the rotating blade 43 can be rotated around the rotating shaft 42 by driving the driving means 44. The flow path inside the wave generator 4 is configured to be repeatedly closed and opened by the rotation of the rotating blade 43.

[0048] The wave generator 4 is provided at an upper position in the second air passage R2. The wave generator 4 is attached to the inclined front surface of the shielding plate 10. Therefore, the wave generator 4 is disposed at an incline with respect to the horizontal plane, with the intake port 40 disposed at an incline downward and the exhaust port 41 disposed at an incline upward.

[0049] With the above configuration, when the individual quick freezing unit F1 according to this embodiment 1 is operated in a freezer room, the drive device 27 is driven, the conveyor 2 moves forward and backward by the crank mechanism, and the wave generator 4 rotates the rotating blades.

[0050] When the wave generator 4 is in a state where its rotary blades 43 are blocking the flow path within the wave generator 4, as shown in Figure 4, the cooling air sent to the first air passage R1 is then released outside the housing 1 from the opening 13 at the upper rear of the housing 1, and then moves to the lower rear of the housing 1, which is the intake side of the air blowing means 3, and circulates. (This circulation path is referred to as circulation path L1 that passes through the first air passage R1.) The air is blown from the air blowing means 3 into the first air passage R1, and the transported object M on the conveyor 2 is blown upward by the air blown from below.

[0051] When the wave generator 4 opens the flow path within the wave generator 4 with its rotary blades 43, as shown in Figure 5, the cooling air sent to the second air passage is discharged from the exhaust port 41 of the wave generator 4 diagonally upward and rearward out of the housing, and then moves to the lower rear of the housing 1, which is the intake side of the air blowing means 3, and circulates. (This circulation path is referred to as circulation path L2, which passes through the second air passage R2.) Air from the air blowing means 3 is blown into the second air passage R2 where the wave generator 4 is located, and air blown into the first air passage R1 is significantly reduced. As a result, the floating transported object M loses the wind force to blow upward and falls completely onto the loading plate 20 of the conveyor 2, receiving a severe impact.

[0052] The wave generator repeatedly passes and suppresses the cooling air, which alternates between the circulation path L1 through the first air passage R1 and the circulation path L2 through the second air passage R2, and the transported object M is repeatedly blown up and then completely dropped, which causes it to be subjected to repeated violent impacts and broken into small pieces while being frozen, resulting in an excellent individual quick freezing process.The dropped transported object M is gradually moved in the forward direction by the conveyor 2 until it is next floated.

[0053] Furthermore, the individual quick freezing unit F1 according to this embodiment 1 is small and simple in configuration, equipped with casters 5 as a means of movement and with the loading plate 20 operated by a crank mechanism, so that an individual quick freezing environment can be easily achieved simply by moving it into the freezer room. [Example]

[0054] Next, an individual quick freezing unit F1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the individual quick freezing unit F1 according to the second embodiment shares a basic configuration with the individual quick freezing unit F1 according to the first embodiment, but differs from the individual quick freezing unit F1 according to the first embodiment mainly in that it includes a heat exchanger 7 and a removable insulating wall 1a (closed space forming means) for forming a closed space in the individual quick freezing unit F1. Therefore, a description of the common parts will be omitted. The individual quick freezing unit F1 according to the second embodiment does not include a refrigerator. The refrigerator is disposed outside the individual quick freezing unit F1. The refrigerant cooled by the refrigerator circulates between the refrigerator and the heat exchanger 7 of the individual quick freezing unit F1 according to the second embodiment, and cooled air is generated by the heat exchanger 7.

[0055] The heat exchanger 7, the detachable insulating wall 1a, etc. are configured to be detachable from the individual quick freezing unit F1 of Example 1, so that the individual quick freezing unit of Example 1 can be converted into the individual quick freezing unit F1 of Example 2 as needed, and the heat exchanger 7, the detachable insulating wall 1a, etc. can be detached from the individual quick freezing unit F1 of Example 2 to convert it into the individual quick freezing unit F1 of Example 1 as needed.

[0056] An individual quick-freezing unit F1 according to this embodiment 2 is shown in Fig. 8. The individual quick-freezing unit F1 according to this embodiment 2 is equipped with a heat exchanger 7, a removable heat insulating wall 1a, etc., thereby generating cooled air and enabling individual quick-freezing processing even outside a freezing chamber.

[0057] The detachable heat insulating wall 1a etc. in the second embodiment includes, in addition to the detachable heat insulating wall 1a, an extension base portion 8 that extends the bottom portion rearward.

[0058] The detachable heat insulating wall 1a has a second top plate 1a1, a third back plate 1a2 provided on the rear end side of the second top plate 1a1, and second side plates 1a3 arranged on the left and right.

[0059] The extension base portion 8 is provided to form a closed space in the individual quick freezing unit F1 together with the detachable heat insulating wall 1a, and also to enhance stability during installation when a heat exchanger is provided.

[0060] The extension base portion 8 comprises an extension bottom plate 80 which serves as an extension portion, peripheral wall portions 81 which stand upright on the left and right sides and rear of the extension bottom plate 80, and casters 82 which serve as a means of movement and are provided at two corners of the underside of the extension bottom plate 80.

[0061] The extended base portion 8 can be attached by connecting the peripheral wall portion 81 and the extended bottom plate 80 of the extended base portion 8 to the bottom plate 190, the upright edge portion 191 and the first back plate 14a of the bottom 19 of the individual quick freezing unit F1.

[0062] The heat exchanger 7 is attached to the outer surface (rear surface) of the second rear panel 14b together with a support frame 70 for supporting the heat exchanger 7 within a closed space formed by the removable insulating wall 1a or the like. More specifically, the support frame 70 is fixed with screws to the frame 12 of the individual quick freezing unit F1 or to a holder 29 fixed to the frame 12, via through holes formed in the second rear panel 14b. The heat exchanger 7 is then installed on the support frame 70.

[0063] The heat exchanger 7 is installed on the intake side of the air blowing means 3, on the circulation path L1 passing through the first air blowing path R1, and on the circulation path L2 passing through the second air blowing path R2. Therefore, the air cooled by the heat exchanger 7 is directly sucked into the air blowing means below and sent to the circulation path L1 passing through the first air blowing path R1 shown in Figure 9 or the circulation path L2 passing through the second air blowing path R2 shown in Figure 10. As a result, cooled air is supplied while the individual quick freezing unit F1 is operating, that is, while the circulation path L1 passing through the first air blowing path R1 and the circulation path L2 passing through the second air blowing path R2 are alternately used.

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment 2, an operating unit 6 is provided at a lower position on the front side. The operating unit 6 has operating means for the power systems of the air blowing means 3, conveyor 2, and wave device 4, and also houses a control device (not shown) and the like. The control device controls the operations of the air blowing means 3, conveyor 2, and wave device 4. [Example]

[0065] Next, an individual quick freezing apparatus F2 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in Figure 11, the individual quick freezing apparatus F2 according to the third embodiment is configured by adding a refrigerator 9 to the individual quick freezing unit F1 according to the second embodiment, making the cooling function a completely independent device.

[0066] The individual quick freezing device F2 according to the present embodiment 3 is configured such that a frame 12 is extended onto the top of the individual quick freezing unit F1 according to the embodiment 2, and a refrigerator 9 is disposed above the frame 12, i.e., above the individual quick freezing unit F1. Although not shown, the individual quick freezing device F2 according to the third embodiment includes a refrigerant circulation path provided between the refrigerator 9 and the heat exchanger .

[0067] In this third embodiment, in addition to the configuration including the refrigerator 9, a control panel 6B is provided instead of the operation unit 6. The control panel 6B includes operation means for the power systems of the blower means 3, the conveyor 2, and the wave device 4, and also houses control devices and the like. The control device controls the operations of the blower means 3, the conveyor 2, the wave device 4, and the control valve that adjusts the flow rate of the refrigerant.

[0068] The individual quick freezing unit F1 according to the second embodiment needs to be connected to an external refrigerator 9 by piping, and although there is some freedom of movement during installation, the freedom of movement is limited after installation. In contrast, the individual quick freezing device F2 according to the third embodiment has a high degree of freedom of movement for the device itself, and individual quick freezing processing can be carried out in any location and in any arrangement within the facility.

[0069] In the present invention, the individual quick freezing unit F1 as shown in the first embodiment can be arranged in a freezing chamber having a refrigerator and a heat exchanger to form an individual quick freezing facility. Also, the individual quick freezing unit F2 as shown in the second embodiment can be arranged in a space having a refrigerator to form an individual quick freezing facility.

[0070] Although the individual quick-freezing units F1 according to Examples 1 and 2 and the individual quick-freezing device F2 according to Example 3 are both configured with a moving means, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and a configuration without a moving means is also possible. If a moving means is provided, the degree of freedom in the installation location of the individual quick-freezing units can be improved, including the ease of transporting them into and out of the freezer compartment.

[0071] In the present invention, as shown in the above embodiment, a conveyor 2 is provided that includes a loading plate 20 and a crank mechanism C and performs transport using inertial force, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a belt conveyor with a forward and return path may also be used. On the other hand, in the case of a conveyor 2 that includes a loading plate 20 and a crank mechanism C and performs transport using inertial force, as shown in the embodiment of the present invention, cooling air from below can be blown upward simply by passing it through a single loading plate 20, which has the advantages of improving air blowing efficiency, ensuring space savings, and making the device more compact and lightweight.

[0072] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned second and third embodiments, a detachable heat insulating wall 1a is provided, but the heat insulating wall is not limited to being an integrated one as shown in the drawings, and can also be an assembled one. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] A1 Arrow (Rotation direction) A2 Arrow (direction of travel) A3 Arrow (regression direction) C crank mechanism F1 Individual quick freezing unit F2 Individual quick freezing device f inertia force L1 Circulation Route L2 Circulation Route M Object to be transported R1 First air duct R2 Second air duct 1 chassis 1a Removable insulating wall (Example 2, Example 3) 1a1 Second top plate 1a2 3rd back plate 1a3 2nd side plate 10 Shield plate 100 Exhaust opening 11 Fan Guard 12 frames 13 Top opening 14 Back plate 14a 1st back plate 14b 2nd back plate 140 Rear opening 141 Inspection door 15 Top plate 16 Right side plate 160 Exit 17 Left side plate 170 Loading entrance 18 Front plate 19 Bottom 190 Bottom plate 191 Standing edge 2 Conveyor 2a Guide frame 20. Loading plate 20a pore 20b Handle 21 Hanger section 210 Vertical frame section 211 Horizontal frame section 22 Link arm 23 crank arm 24 Rotation Axis 25 Hanger side shaft 26 Bevel gear mechanism 27 Drive unit 28 Pulley section 28a Upper position pulley part (pulley part) 28b Lower position pulley part (pulley part) 280 shaft 29 Support part 3. Ventilation means 30 Blower fan 4. Wave Generator 40 Air intake 41 Exhaust port 42 Rotation axis 43 Rotating blades 44 Driving means 5 Caster (Means of Transportation) 6 Control section 6B Control Panel 7 Heat exchanger 8 Extension base 80 Extension bottom plate 81 Peripheral wall section 9. Freezer

Claims

1. a housing having a loading / unloading opening on a side surface; a breathable conveyor for conveying objects, the conveyor being disposed within the housing with a portion thereof adjacent to the loading / unloading port; and a blowing means for blowing air from below to above the conveyor, An individual quick freezing unit comprising a first air duct through which the air blowing means blows upward the objects on the conveyor, and a second air duct that bypasses the first air duct, the second air duct being equipped with a wave generator, and air from the air blowing means being intermittently introduced into the second air duct by the wave generator, thereby alternately blowing upward the objects by blowing air into the first air duct and suppressing the upward blowing.

2. 2. The individual quick-freezing unit according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a moving means.

3. 2. An individual quick freezing unit as claimed in claim 1, comprising a drive unit and a crank mechanism driven by the drive unit, wherein the conveyor is movable by the drive unit via the crank mechanism in both a forward direction and a reverse direction opposite to the forward direction, the speed of the conveyor in the reverse direction being faster than the speed of the conveyor in the forward direction, so that when the conveyor moves in the forward direction, the objects to be conveyed are conveyed together with the conveyor due to friction with the conveyor, and when the conveyor moves in the reverse direction, only the conveyor moves in the reverse direction relative to the objects to be conveyed due to inertia.

4. 2. The individual quick-freezing unit according to claim 1, wherein the air blowing means is disposed below the conveyor and has a blower fan, the blower fan blowing air in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the blower fan.

5. The individual quick-freezing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a heat exchanger located on the air intake path of the air blowing means, and a closed space forming means for forming a closed space including the heat exchanger.

6. An individual quick-cooling device comprising the individual quick-freezing unit according to claim 5 and a cooler.

7. 5. An individual quick-freezing facility comprising a freezing chamber having a cooling machine and a heat exchanger, and a unit for individual quick-freezing according to claim 1 housed in the freezing chamber.

8. 6. An individual quick-freezing facility comprising an individual quick-freezing unit according to claim 5 housed in a space having a cooling machine.

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