Cooling device

Abstract

To provide a cooling device which can freeze a food and de-ice a contact surface between the food and a holder in a continuous manner.SOLUTION: A cooling device includes: a heat insulation box 10 having a carry-in port 11 into which a holder 21 holding a food is carried, and a carry-out port 12 from which the holder holding the food is carried out; a cooler unit 30 which is provided within the heat insulation box and cools and freezes the food; a transport device 20 which transports the holder holding the food from the carry-in port to the carry-out port in the heat insulation box; a first area R1 partitioned by a first partition wall 40 provided at the carry-out port in the heat insulation box and communicating with the carry-out port; and a heating unit 70 which is provided at the first area and heats the holder.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device. [Background technology]

[0002] Various cooling devices have been developed for cooling food and other objects to be cooled (for example, see Patent Document 1 below). Generally, in cooling devices, the object to be cooled, such as food, is manually placed on a holder that conforms to the shape of the product, and then the holder is placed in a freezer to freeze it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-113224 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Generally, food is placed on a holder, and the holder is then placed in a freezer to freeze. After that, the food is left at room temperature for a certain period of time to thaw the contact surface between the food and the holder, and then the food is removed from the holder. This requires waiting for the contact surface between the food and the holder to thaw, which takes time.

[0005] The present invention has been invented to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a cooling device that can continuously freeze food and thaw the contact surface between the food and the holder. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The cooling device of the present invention, which achieves the above-mentioned object, comprises an insulated box having an inlet through which a holder holding food is brought in and an outlet through which the holder holding the food is brought out, a cooler unit provided inside the insulated box for cooling and freezing the food, a transport device within the insulated box for transporting the holder holding the food from the inlet to the outlet, a first region separated by a first partition provided on the outlet side within the insulated box and communicating with the outlet, and a heating unit provided in the first region for heating the holder. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the cooling device described above, by using the heating section in the first region to heat the holder holding the frozen food upstream of the first partition, it is possible to thaw the contact surface between the food and the holder without completely thawing the food. Therefore, it is possible to provide a cooling device that can continuously freeze the food and thaw the contact surface between the food and the holder. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing a cooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a cooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the vicinity of the entrance of the cooling device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the vicinity of the outlet of the cooling device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the vicinity of the outlet of the cooling device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view showing part A in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view showing part B in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a suction type cooler fan. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a push-in type cooler fan. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A cooling device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the cooling device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the cooling device 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the vicinity of the inlet 11 of the cooling device 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the vicinity of the outlet 12 of the cooling device 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a front view showing the vicinity of the outlet 12 of the cooling device 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view showing part A in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view showing part B in FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a suction-type cooler fan 32. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a push-type cooler fan 32. In the description of the drawings, identical elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. The dimensional proportions in the drawings have been exaggerated for the sake of convenience and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0010] In this embodiment, the object to be cooled by the cooling device 1 can be food, such as datemaki (rolled sushi), omelette roll, kamaboko (fish cake), roll cake, etc. In the following, datemaki D will be used as the object to be cooled. As shown in Figures 1 to 7, the cooling device 1 includes an insulated box 10 having an inlet 11 and an outlet 12, a transport device 20 that transports the object to be cooled held by a retainer 21 from the inlet 11 to the outlet 12, a cooler unit 30 provided inside the insulated box 10, a first partition 40 that divides the interior of the insulated box 10 into a first region R1 and a second region R2, a second partition 50 that divides the interior of the insulated box 10 into the second region R2 and a third region R3, a third partition 60 that divides the interior of the insulated box 10 into a third region R3 and a fourth region R4, a heating section 70 provided in the first region R1 that heats the retainer 21, and a removal section 80 provided in the first region R1 that removes condensation water adhering to the retainer 21.

[0011] 1 and 2, the insulated box 10 has an inlet 11 through which the datemaki D is brought in, and an outlet 12 through which the datemaki D cooled by the cooling device 1 is brought out. Hereinafter, the side of the inlet 11 will be referred to as the upstream side, and the side of the outlet 12 will be referred to as the downstream side.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the carry-in entrance 11 is located near a winding machine 90 that winds baked datemaki D. A worker grasps the datemaki D that has been conveyed from the winding machine 90 and places it in a holder 21 of a conveying device 20 at the carry-in entrance 11.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the insulated box body 10 has a first region R1 located downstream of the first partition wall 40, a second region R2 formed between the first partition wall 40 and the second partition wall 50, a third region R3 formed between the second partition wall 50 and the third partition wall 60, and a fourth region R4 formed upstream of the third partition wall 60.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4 to 7, the first area R1 is equipped with a heating section 70 and a removal section 80. In the first area R1, the holder 21 holding the frozen datemaki D is heated by the heating section 70, thawing the contact surface between the datemaki D and the holder 21 and enabling the datemaki D to be peeled from the holder 21. In other words, the first area R1 functions as a peeling chamber.

[0015] The second region R2 functions as a rear chamber of the freezing chamber, which is the third region R3. During operation, the temperature in the second region R2 is, for example, -10°C. By providing the second region R2 as a rear chamber, the stripping chamber, which is the first region R1, and the freezing chamber, which is the third region R3, are not adjacent to each other, which helps prevent a drop in the temperature of the stripping chamber. Furthermore, by providing the second region R2 as a rear chamber, it is possible to prevent cold air from leaking from the freezing chamber, which is the third region R3.

[0016] The third area R3 is provided with a cooler unit 30, which will be described later. The cooler unit 30 creates an atmosphere inside the third area R3 at, for example, -35°C. The datemaki D passing through the third area R3 is frozen by the cooler unit 30. In other words, the third area R3 functions as a freezing chamber.

[0017] The fourth area R4 functions as a front chamber for the freezing compartment, which is the third area R3. The temperature in the fourth area R4 during operation is, for example, -10°C. By providing the fourth area R4 as a front chamber, it is possible to prevent cold air from leaking from the freezing compartment, which is the third area R3.

[0018] The first region R1 is provided with an openable and closable vent 13. The vent 13 is fully open when the cooling device 1 is in operation, and is fully closed when steam sterilizing the inside of the cooling device 1. The vent 13 may also serve as a door for accessing the peeling chamber, which is the first region R1.

[0019] 1 and 2, the third region R3 is provided with a supply port 14 through which high-temperature steam enters when sterilizing the inside of the cooling device 1, and the second region R2 is provided with an outlet 15 through which high-temperature steam is discharged. Note that the locations where the supply port 14 and the outlet 15 are provided are not limited to the locations described above, and are not particularly limited as long as they are positions that allow steam to enter and exit the cooling device 1. The supply port 14 is connected to a boiler (not shown), and steam at a temperature of, for example, 80 degrees or higher enters the cooling device 1.

[0020] A second removal unit 16 is disposed above the third region R3 to remove frost adhering to the heat exchanger 31 serving as a cooler. Compressed air supplied from the second removal unit 16 is sprayed toward the heat exchanger 31, thereby defrosting the frost adhering to the heat exchanger 31.

[0021] The heat-insulating box 10 is made of a welded body. With this configuration, the inside of the heat-insulating box 10 can be suitably sterilized with steam.

[0022] The conveying device 20 carries out the datemaki D from the carry-in entrance 11 to the carry-out exit 12. In this embodiment, the conveying device 20 is an endless conveyor, that is, a chain conveyor.

[0023] A holder 21 for holding datemaki D is fixed to the chain conveyor. There is no particular limitation on the method for fixing the holder 21 to the chain conveyor.

[0024] Although not shown in the figure, openings are formed on both sides of the width of the holder 21 in the conveying direction, and some of the water generated when, for example, thawing the datemaki D is discharged to the outside through these openings.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, four datemaki D are held in one holder 21 along the width direction (vertical direction in Figure 3) of the conveyance direction (see arrow in Figure 3). Note that the number of datemaki D held in holder 21 is not limited to four.

[0026] As in this embodiment, the retainer 21 is fixed to the chain conveyor, so that the cooling device 1 can be simplified.

[0027] The cooler unit 30 cools the freezing compartment, which is the third region R3, to, for example, −35° C. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 8, the cooler unit 30 has a heat exchanger 31 and a cooler fan 32. A known heat exchanger can be used as the heat exchanger 31, and a known fan can be used as the cooler fan 32.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a pair of cooling units 30 are provided in the third region R3, one on the upstream side and one on the downstream side, so as to be symmetrical along the vertical direction. Cool air flows from the pair of cooling units 30 toward the center of each other. The cooling unit 30 shown in Figure 8 is the downstream cooling unit 30 (left side in Figure 1) of the pair of cooling units 30 shown in Figure 1.

[0029] The cooler unit 30 according to this embodiment is configured to be of the suction type, as shown in Fig. 8. Specifically, the air blown from right to left by the cooler fan 32 circulates counterclockwise, and cool air at, for example, -35°C hits the datemaki D. After cooling the datemaki D, the cool air returns to, for example, -30°C and returns to the heat exchanger 31. At this time, the cool air at -30°C hits the right side of the heat exchanger 31. As a result, frost forms on the right side of the heat exchanger 31.

[0030] 9 shows a push-in type cooler unit 130 according to a modified example. Specifically, air sent from left to right by cooler fan 32 is cooled by heat exchanger 31 and circulates clockwise from the right side of heat exchanger 31, with cool air at, for example, -35°C hitting datemaki D. The cool air that has cooled datemaki D then returns to cooler fan 32 at, for example, -30°C. The cool air at -30°C then hits the left side of heat exchanger 31. As a result, frost forms on the left side of heat exchanger 31.

[0031] In the case of the cooler unit 30 according to the embodiment, the cold air that hits the right side of the heat exchanger 31 has been circulated and therefore has a low wind speed. In contrast, in the case of the cooler unit 130 according to the modified example, the cold air that hits the left side of the heat exchanger 31 has a high wind speed because it has just come out of the cooler fan 32. When the wind speed is high like this, it is possible to reduce the growth of frost.

[0032] In this embodiment, the cooler unit 30 has a heat exchanger 31 and a cooler fan 32, but if the temperature is measured at multiple locations within the third region R3 and there is variation in temperature at multiple locations or the desired temperature is not reached, the cooler unit may further have an air guide plate or a stirring fan.

[0033] The first partition wall 40 is provided inside the heat-insulating box 10 and is arranged so as to separate the first region R1 and the second region R2.

[0034] The first partition wall 40 is preferably made of an insulating panel. Here, for example, if the first partition wall were made of sheet metal instead of an insulating panel, frost would form on the sheet metal, which could unintentionally lower the temperature inside the stripping chamber, which is the first region R1. In contrast, by using an insulating panel as the first partition wall 40, it is possible to suppress the formation of frost on the first partition wall 40 and prevent a drop in the temperature inside the stripping chamber, which is the first region R1. Note that a configuration in which sheet metal is used as the first partition wall is also included in the present invention.

[0035] The second partition wall 50 is provided inside the heat-insulating box 10 and is arranged so as to separate the second region R2 and the third region R3.

[0036] The second partition wall 50 is made of, for example, a metal plate.

[0037] The third partition wall 60 is provided inside the heat-insulating box 10 and is arranged so as to separate the third region R3 and the fourth region R4.

[0038] The third partition wall 60 is made of, for example, a metal plate.

[0039] As shown in Figure 1, the heating section 70 is provided in the peeling chamber, which is the first region R1. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the heating section 70 sprays hot air onto the holder 21 holding the datemaki D from below on the outbound path from the inlet 11 to the outlet 12 of the conveying device 20, thereby heating the holder 21 holding the datemaki D. This thaws the contact surface between the datemaki D and the holder 21, making it possible to suitably peel the datemaki D from the holder 21.

[0040] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the heating section 70 has a header 71, a first pipe 72 connected to the header 71, a second pipe 73 connected to the first pipe 72, and a blower 74 connected to the second pipe 73 to supply compressed air.

[0041] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, four pipes 71P are attached to the header 71 along the width direction in the conveying direction. A hole 71H is formed in the upper part of the pipe 71P along the width direction. It is preferable to use so-called Ferrule tubes for the first pipe 72 and the second pipe 73. Ferrule tubes have a configuration in which pipes of a predetermined length are removably connected. By using Ferrule tubes in this way, the pipes can be removed and cleaned after operation. The first pipe 72 and the second pipe 73 may also be formed by welding or the like.

[0042] The blower 74 heats the air it takes in at 20°C to 40°C, for example, and passes the heated air through the first pipe 72 and the second pipe 73, and as shown in Figure 6, through the header 71, where it is sprayed onto the underside of the holder 21 from holes 71H formed in the upper part of the pipe 71P. This thaws the contact surface between the holder 21 and the datemaki D. By using the blower 74 in this way, the flow rate of air sprayed onto the bottom surface of the holder 21 can be increased, and the thawing of the contact surface between the datemaki D and the holder 21 can be promoted.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 1, the remover 80 is provided in the stripping chamber, which is the first region R1. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the remover 80 sprays hot air onto the retainer 21 from below on the return path of the transfer device 20 from the discharge port 12 to the inlet 11, thereby removing water adhering to the retainer 21. For example, without the remover 80, the retainer 21 would move through the freezing chamber, which is the third region R3, from the discharge port 12 to the inlet 11 with water still adhering to the retainer 21, which would undesirably freeze the retaining surface 21A of the retainer 21. In contrast, in this embodiment, the remover 80 removes the water adhering to the retainer 21, thereby preferably preventing the retaining surface 21A of the retainer 21 from freezing.

[0044] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the removal section 80 has a header 81, a third pipe 82 connected to the header 81, a second pipe 73 connected to the third pipe 82, and a blower 74 connected to the second pipe 73 and outputting compressed air.

[0045] Four pipes 81P are attached to the header 81 along the width direction in the conveying direction. Holes 81H are formed in the upper parts of the pipes 81P along the width direction. As with the first pipe 72 and the second pipe 73, it is preferable that the third pipe 82 be a Ferrule pipe.

[0046] The second pipe 73 of the heating unit 70 and the second pipe 73 of the removal unit 80, as well as the blower 74 of the heating unit 70 and the blower 74 of the removal unit 80, are integrally configured. In other words, the high-temperature air supplied from the blower 74 passes through the second pipe 73 and then branches into the first pipe 72 and the third pipe 82. The hot air that has passed through the first pipe 72 passes through the header 71 and is sprayed onto the underside of the retainer 21 from a hole 71H formed in the upper part of the pipe 71P. On the other hand, the hot air that has passed through the third pipe 82 passes through the header 81 and is sprayed onto the retaining surface 21A of the retainer 21 from a hole 81H formed in the upper part of the pipe 81P.

[0047] In this way, since the heating unit 70 and a part of the removal unit 80 are integrally configured, the entire device can be simplified.

[0048] Next, an example of a method for operating the cooling device 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0049] When the cooling device 1 is operating, the vent 13 in the first region R1 is fully open. By fully opening the vent 13 in this way, the temperature of the peeling chamber, which is the first region R1, can be made approximately equal to the ambient temperature. This prevents the temperature in the peeling chamber from becoming excessively low, and more suitably brings the datemaki D into a state where it can be peeled from the holder 21.

[0050] The worker grasps the datemaki D that has been conveyed from the winding machine 90 and places the datemaki D in the holder 21 of the conveying device 20 at the carry-in entrance 11.

[0051] Then, as the datemaki D held in holder 21 is transported by transport device 20, it is frozen while passing through the front chamber, which is the fourth region R4, the freezing chamber, which is the third region R3, and the back chamber, which is the second region R2. At this time, the contact surface between the datemaki D and holder 21 freezes, and the datemaki D adheres to holder 21. Here, for example, in the case of a cooling device without a heating section 70, it is necessary to wait at room temperature for a predetermined time until the contact surface between the datemaki D and holder 21 thaws, which takes time.

[0052] In contrast, in the cooling device 1 according to this embodiment, hot air is sprayed onto the holder 21 from holes 71H formed in the upper part of the pipes 71P via the header 71 of the heating section 70, which melts the contact surface between the holder 21 and the datemaki D, allowing the datemaki D to be quickly peeled off from the holder 21. It is also preferable to operate the conveying device 20 intermittently. By operating the conveying device 20 intermittently, the holder 21 can be heated in a targeted manner with hot air from the heating section 70.

[0053] On the return journey from the discharge port 12 to the carry-in port 11, the holder 21 from which the datemaki D has been peeled has water adhering to the holding surface 21A of the holder 21 removed by the remover 80.

[0054] Frost that has adhered to heat exchanger 31 while cooling device 1 is in operation is defrosted by compressed air sprayed from second removal unit 16. By defrosting frost that has adhered to heat exchanger 31 in this manner, the heat exchange efficiency of heat exchanger 31 is improved, and as a result, continuous operation of cooling device 1 becomes possible.

[0055] After operating the cooling device 1 for a predetermined time, the cooling device 1 is steam sterilized. At this time, the vent 13 in the first region R1 is fully closed. By fully closing the vent 13 in this manner, high-temperature steam can be sent to the peeling chamber, which is the first region R1, during sterilization, and not only the second region R2, the third region R3, and the fourth region R4, but also the first region R1 can be steam sterilized.

[0056] As described above, the cooling device 1 of this embodiment comprises an insulated box 10 having an inlet 11 through which the holder 21 holding the datemaki D is brought in and an outlet 12 through which the holder 21 holding the datemaki D is brought out, a cooler unit 30 provided inside the insulated box 10 to cool and freeze the datemaki D, a transport device 20 that transports the holder 21 holding the datemaki D from the inlet 11 to the outlet 12 within the insulated box 10, a first region R1 separated by a first partition 40 provided on the outlet 12 side within the insulated box 10 and communicating with the outlet 12, and a heating section 70 provided in the first region R1 to heat the holder 21. With the cooling device 1 configured in this way, by using the heating section 70 in the first region R1 to heat the holder 21 that holds the datemaki D frozen upstream of the first partition wall 40, it is possible to thaw the contact surface between the datemaki D and the holder 21 without completely thawing the datemaki D. Therefore, it is possible to provide a cooling device 1 that can continuously freeze the datemaki D and thaw the contact surface between the datemaki D and the holder 21.

[0057] Furthermore, the heating section 70 heats the holder 21 from below on the outward path of the conveying device 20 from the inlet 11 to the outlet 12. With the cooling device 1 configured in this manner, the contact surface between the datemaki D and the holder 21 can be more suitably thawed.

[0058] The heating unit 70 also has a blower 74 that blows out compressed air. With the cooling device 1 configured in this manner, the flow rate of air that heats the holder 21 can be increased, and the contact surface between the datemaki D and the holder 21 can be more suitably thawed.

[0059] The first region R1 is also provided with a vent 13 that can be opened or closed. According to the cooling device 1 configured in this manner, by fully opening the vent 13 in the first region R1 during operation, the temperature of the peeling chamber (first region R1) can be maintained at approximately ambient temperature. This prevents the peeling chamber from becoming excessively cold, more effectively enabling the datemaki D to be peeled from the holder 21. Furthermore, by fully closing the vent 13 in the first region R1 during steam sterilization in the cooling device 1, high-temperature steam can be sent to the peeling chamber (first region R1) during sterilization, enabling steam sterilization of not only the second region R2, the third region R3, and the fourth region R4, but also the first region R1. By steam sterilizing the cooling device 1 in this manner, microorganisms in all regions within the chamber can be killed to a target bacterial count or below, thereby extending the frozen storage period of the datemaki D.

[0060] The cooling device 1 further includes a second region R2 separated by a first partition 40 and a second partition 50 provided closer to the loading entrance 11 than the first partition 40. With the cooling device 1 configured in this manner, the stripping chamber (first region R1) and the freezing chamber (third region R3) are not adjacent to each other, which can suppress a decrease in the temperature of the stripping chamber. Furthermore, by providing the second region R2 as a rear chamber, it is possible to prevent cold air from leaking from the freezing chamber (third region R3).

[0061] The first partition wall 40 is a heat insulating panel. According to the cooling device 1 configured in this manner, it is possible to suppress the formation of frost on the first partition wall 40 and prevent a decrease in the temperature inside the separation chamber, which is the first region R1.

[0062] Moreover, the holder 21 is fixed to the transport device 20. According to the cooling device 1 configured in this manner, the cooling device 1 can be simplified, and the work of placing the holder on the transport device is not required, thereby reducing the workload.

[0063] The cooling device 1 also has a removal unit 80 that is provided in the first region R1 and removes condensation water adhering to the retainer 21. According to the cooling device 1 configured in this manner, the retaining surface 21A of the retainer 21 can be suitably prevented from freezing.

[0064] Furthermore, the removal unit 80 and the heating unit 70 are integrally configured. According to the cooling device 1 configured in this manner, the cooling device 1 can be simplified.

[0065] Furthermore, the heat-insulating box 10 is a welded body. According to the cooling device 1 configured in this manner, the inside of the heat-insulating box 10 can be suitably sterilized with steam.

[0066] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

[0067] For example, in the embodiment described above, the heating section 70 heated the holder 21 from below on the outward path of the conveying device 20 from the inlet 11 to the outlet 12. However, the heating section is not limited to the above configuration as long as it can heat the holder 21 and thaw the contact surface between the datemaki D and the holder 21.

[0068] In the above-described embodiment, the heating unit 70 is a blower 74 that blows out compressed air. However, the heating unit may be a heating means other than a blower as long as it can heat the holder 21 and thaw the contact surface between the datemaki D and the holder 21.

[0069] In the above-described embodiment, the first region R1 is provided with the openable and closable ventilation opening 13. However, the ventilation opening 13 does not necessarily have to be provided.

[0070] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the cooling device 1 has the second region R2 separated by the first partition wall 40 and the second partition wall 50, but the cooling device 1 does not necessarily have to have the second region.

[0071] In the above-described embodiment, the conveying device 20 is fixed so as to be integral with the holder 21. However, the conveying device does not have to be integral with the holder.

[0072] In the above-described embodiment, the cooling device 1 includes the removal unit 80 that removes condensation water adhering to the retainer 21. However, the cooling device does not necessarily have to include a removal unit.

[0073] In the above-described embodiment, the removal unit 80 and the heating unit 70 are integrally configured, but the removal unit and the heating unit may be configured independently.

[0074] In the above-described embodiment, the heat-insulating box 10 is a welded body. However, the heat-insulating box 10 does not have to be a welded body.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the heating unit 70 was used as an example of a peeling unit that peels food from the holder, but the peeling unit may also peel food from the holder by other means. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1 cooling device, 10. Insulated box body, 11 Loading entrance; 12 Exit, 13 vents, 20 conveying device, 21 retainer, 40 1st bulkhead, 50 Second bulkhead, 70 heating section, 74 Bloor, 80 removal section, R1 1st area, R2 2nd area.

Claims

1. a heat-insulating box having an inlet through which a holder holding food is carried in and an outlet through which the holder holding the food is carried out; a cooler unit provided inside the heat-insulating box for cooling and freezing the food; a conveying device that conveys the holder holding the food product from the inlet to the outlet within the insulated box; a first region separated by a first partition wall provided on the outlet side of the heat-insulating box and communicating with the outlet; a heating section provided in the first region and configured to heat the retainer.

2. The cooling device according to claim 1 , wherein the heating section heats the retainer from below on a forward path of the transport device from the inlet to the outlet.

3. The cooling device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating unit has a blower that blows out compressed air.

4. The cooling device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first region is provided with an openable and closable vent.

5. The cooling device according to claim 1 , further comprising a second region partitioned by the first partition and a second partition provided closer to the inlet than the first partition.

6. The cooling device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first partition wall is a heat insulating panel.

7. The cooling device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holder is fixed to the transport device.

8. The cooling device according to claim 7 , further comprising a removal section provided in the first region and configured to remove condensation water adhering to the cage.

9. The cooling device according to claim 8 , wherein the removal unit and the heating unit are integrally formed.

10. The cooling device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat-insulating box body is a welded body.

11. a heat-insulating box having an inlet through which a holder holding food is carried in and an outlet through which the holder holding the food is carried out; a cooler unit provided inside the heat-insulating box for cooling and freezing the food; a conveying device that conveys the retainer from the carry-in entrance to the carry-out exit within the heat-insulating box and to which the retainer is fixed; a peeling section that peels the food from the holder.

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