U.S. patent application number 10/528123 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-10 for refrigerator, freezer, storage container and cold storage.
Invention is credited to Yasutaka Nakata.
Application Number | 20080006041 10/528123 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34897936 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080006041 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nakata; Yasutaka |
January 10, 2008 |
Refrigerator, Freezer, Storage Container and Cold Storage
Abstract
The present invention relates to a refrigerator and others, and
in particular, purports to achieve a refrigerator, freezer, storage
container, and cold storage which preserve the freshness of foods
using the vacuum technology. An industrial refrigerator-freezer
which has one or a plurality of storages and cooling means for
cooling these storages comprise a hermetically sealed containers 11
installed inside the storage to refrigerate foods, exhaust means
comprising an exhaust pump 19, exhaust duct 20 and others to
individually exhaust air in the hermetically sealed containers 11,
and a switching means installed to an operation panel 15 to turn
on/off the exhaust means.
Inventors: |
Nakata; Yasutaka; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KRATZ, QUINTOS & HANSON, LLP
1420 K Street, N.W., Suite 400
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Family ID: |
34897936 |
Appl. No.: |
10/528123 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
March 1, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP04/02470 |
371 Date: |
June 15, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/131 ;
62/441 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 17/042 20130101;
F25D 2317/041 20130101; F25D 17/08 20130101; F25D 2317/043
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/131 ;
62/441 |
International
Class: |
F25D 11/02 20060101
F25D011/02 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator-freezer which has one or a plurality of storages
and a cooling means for cooling the storages, comprising:
hermetically sealed containers installed inside the storages to
store foods to be refrigerated/frozen; an exhaust means for
individually discharge exhaust of the hermetically sealed
containers; and a switching means for turning ON/OFF the exhaust
means.
2. The refrigerator-freezer according to claim 1 wherein a vacuum
breaking means for breaking the vacuum condition after discharging
exhaust by the exhaust means is provided for the hermetically
sealed containers.
3. The refrigerator-freezer according to claim 1 wherein an
open-close detection means for detecting open-close of container
door section is provided to the hermetically sealed containers.
4. The refrigerator-freezer according to claim 1 further comprising
a temperature detection means for detecting temperature inside the
hermetically sealed container, wherein the exhaust means discharges
exhaust after the temperature detection means detects that the
temperature inside the hermetically sealed container lowers to the
specified value.
5. The refrigerator-freezer according to claim 1 wherein a
bio-ceramic element which has bioactivity for generating negative
ions is located inside the hermetically sealed container.
6. A refrigerator-freezer which has a plurality of storages and a
cooling means for cooling the storages, comprising: hermetically
sealed containers installed inside the storages to store foods to
be refrigerated and frozen; connection ends mounted to the
storages; exhaust ducts that can be connected to the hermetically
sealed containers by the connection ends; a common exhaust means
for discharging exhaust of the hermetically sealed containers
connected to the exhaust duct via the connection ends by
discharging exhaust inside the exhaust duct; and an operating
device for operating connections between the hermetically sealed
containers and the exhaust duct.
7. The refrigerator according to claim 6 wherein the operating
means does not open the connection between the hermetically sealed
containers and the exhaust duct when the hermetically sealed
containers are not connected to the connection ends of the exhaust
duct.
8. The refrigerator according to claim 6 further comprising a
temperature detection means for detecting the temperature inside
the hermetically sealed container wherein the operating means opens
the connection between the hermetically sealed containers and the
exhaust duct after detecting that the temperature inside the
hermetically sealed container lowers to the specified value.
9. The refrigerator-freezer according to claim 6 wherein a vacuum
breaking means for breaking the vacuum condition after exhaust by
the exhaust means is mounted to the hermetically sealed
containers.
10. The refrigerator-freezer according to claim 6 wherein a
bio-ceramic element which has bioactivity to generate negative ions
is located inside the hermetically sealed containers.
11. A refrigerator-freezer which has one or a plurality of storages
and a cooling means for cooling the storages, which are formed into
a hermetically sealed construction, comprising: an exhaust means
for discharging exhaust of the storages of the hermetically sealed
construction.
12. The refrigerator-freezer according to claim 11 wherein a vacuum
breaking means for breaking the vacuum condition after the exhaust
means discharges exhaust is equipped to the storage.
13. The refrigerator-freezer according to claim 11 wherein the
exhaust means waits until the temperature inside the storages
lowers to the specified temperature and carries out the exhaust
operation.
14. The refrigerator-freezer according to claim 11 wherein an
open-close detection means for detecting the open-close of the
storage door is installed to the storage.
15. The refrigerator-freezer according to claim 11 wherein the
cooling means has a plurality of heat exchangers inside the
storage.
16. The refrigerator-freezer according to claim 11 wherein a
bio-ceramic element which has bioactivity to generate negative ions
is located inside the storage.
17. A storage container used for storing reserves in a cold
storage, comprising: a hermetically sealing means for hermetically
sealing the storage containers, an exhaust means for individually
discharging exhaust of the storage containers, and a switching
means for turning ON/OFF the exhaust means.
18. The storage container according to claim 17 wherein a vacuum
breaking means for breaking the vacuum condition after exhaust is
discharged by the exhaust means is equipped to the storage
containers.
19. The storage container according to claim 17 wherein a
bio-ceramic element which has bioactivity to generate negative ions
is located inside the storage containers.
20. A cold storage which has a freezer compartment that can
refrigerate and store preserves in the warehouse, comprising: a
hermetically sealing means for hermetically sealing the freezer
compartment, an exhaust means for individually discharging exhaust
of the freezer compartment, and a switching means for turning
ON/OFF the exhaust means.
21. The cold storage according to claim 20 wherein a vacuum
breaking means for breaking the vacuum condition after exhaust is
discharged by the exhaust means is equipped to the freezer
compartment.
22. The storage container according to claim 20 wherein a
bio-ceramic element which has bioactivity to generate negative ions
is located inside the freezer compartment.
23. The storage container according to claim 20 wherein a
temperature sensor for detecting the existence of humans or living
organisms by temperature is mounted inside the freezer compartment.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a refrigerator, freezer,
storage container, and cold storage, and specifically, to a
refrigerator, freezer, storage container, and cold storage which
preserve the freshness of foods using the vacuum technology.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] Conventional refrigerator-freezers have a primary interest
in cooling the inside and it is hard to say that sufficient
measures have not always been taken to maintain freshness and
quality of foods to be cooled, refrigerated, or frozen. For
example, vegetables, fruits, and other foodstuff breathe on their
surfaces, and by the breathing, they age and lose freshness, and
eventually, wither or wilt. However, when they are stored at low
temperature, the breathing rate lowers, for example, when the
ambient temperature lowers from 15.degree. C. to 0.degree. C., the
breathing rate lowers to 1/3 to 1/5, and the freshness can be
maintained for a long time. However, fruit vegetables such as
cucumbers and tomatoes are okay to be refrigerated as they are but
in the case of leaf vegetables such as cabbages and Chinese
cabbages, air contained between leaves play a role of heat
insulator, causing a problem that it takes about 10 hours to cool
the inside when they are refrigerated as they are. However, if
temperature is lowered to below 0.degree. C. and they are rapidly
cooled, ice may adhere to the leaf surfaces because of the effect
of ambient moisture taken in when a door is opened or closed or the
cell fluid inside the leaf cell is frozen, and freshness is
conversely lost excessively. In addition, even in the case of
foodstuff such as thinly sliced raw fish (sashimi) and eels broiled
without any seasoning, if ice adheres to the surface, the cell
liquid inside the cell is frozen, or the foodstuff is oxidized, the
surface is discolored and the foodstuff looks bad and lose
flavor.
[0005] Hitherto, this kind of problem was met by varying the
refrigerator inside temperature in accord with the foodstuff to be
refrigerated/frozen or by adjusting temperature stepwise. However,
it is troublesome and increases cost to subtly adjust temperature
for each foodstuff to be stored. In addition, temperature control
alone cannot completely prevent ice accretion to the food surface
or freeze of cell liquid.
[0006] Furthermore, methods, etc. to store for a long time with
food freshness maintained by generating the electric field by
static electricity in the refrigerator have been reported. The
electric field by static electricity acts on the moisture of the
foodstuff in the refrigerator and fractionates water clusters. By
this, freshness of meats and fishery products can be maintained and
vegetables and fruits do not have to lose freshness over a long
period of time. However, this method has several problems,
including those that it is difficult to maintain the stable
electric field because of moisture content, dew condensation, ice
formation, etc. inside the refrigerator, and high-voltage power
supply is required.
[0007] On the other hand, it is known that some bio-ceramics
including tourmaline, zirconium, and others generate negative ions
semi-permanently. In addition, it is also known that water clusters
are fractionated by negative ions.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides a refrigerator-freezer which
has one or a plurality of storages and a cooling means for cooling
the storages, comprising hermetically sealed containers installed
inside the storages to store foods to be refrigerated/frozen, an
exhaust means for individually discharge exhaust of the
hermetically sealed containers, and a switching means for turning
ON/OFF the exhaust means.
[0009] By this, it is possible to individually exhaust hermetically
sealed containers in storages and vegetables, fruits, and other
foodstuff can be stored with the freshness preserved more
effectively and for a longer time than simple refrigeration or
freezing.
[0010] The present invention is characterized in that in the
refrigerator-freezer, a vacuum breaking means for breaking the
vacuum condition after discharging exhaust by the exhaust means is
provided for the hermetically sealed containers.
[0011] By this, it is possible to easily open and close the
hermetically sealed containers under vacuum and in the refrigerated
state.
[0012] The present invention is characterized in that the
refrigerator-freezer has an open-close detection means for
detecting open-close of container door section provided to the
hermetically sealed containers.
[0013] Because by this, it is possible to discharge exhaust after
making sure the container door section is open or closed, there is
no need to carry out unnecessary exhaust discharging.
[0014] The present invention is characterized in that the
refrigerator-freezer further comprises a temperature detection
means for detecting temperature inside the hermetically sealed
container, wherein the exhaust means discharges exhaust after the
temperature detection means detects that the temperature inside the
hermetically sealed container lowers to the specified value.
[0015] By this, in the event that the temperature inside the
hermetically sealed container is high, temperature inside the
container can be lowered by convection of air inside and can be
efficiently cooled.
[0016] The present invention is characterized in that a bio-ceramic
element which has bioactivity for generating negative ions is
located inside the hermetically sealed container.
[0017] By this, it is possible to prevent the foodstuff inside the
hermetically sealed container from being oxidized and the flavor
from being impaired by the effects of negative ions which the
bio-ceramic generates. Furthermore, effects of suppressing odor
generated by the foodstuff inside the hermetically sealed container
are produced, too. Because generation of negative ions of the
bio-ceramic is semi-permanent, the effects continue once it is
installed.
[0018] The present invention also provides a refrigerator-freezer
which has a plurality of storages and a cooling means for cooling
the storages, comprising hermetically sealed containers installed
inside the storages to store foods to be refrigerated and frozen,
connection ends mounted to the storages, exhaust ducts that can be
connected to the hermetically sealed containers by the connection
ends, a common exhaust means for discharging exhaust of the
hermetically sealed containers connected to the exhaust duct via
the connection ends by discharging exhaust inside the exhaust duct,
and an operating device for operating connections between the
hermetically sealed containers and the exhaust duct.
[0019] Because by this, the refrigerator can keep the hermetically
sealed container in the vacuum condition by the common exhaust
means and can prevent the food stuff from coming in contact with
air, it is possible to achieve a refrigerator-freezer which can
maintain the foodstuff freshness for a long time by preventing
oxidation of the foodstuff and ice formation on the foodstuff
surface.
[0020] The present invention is also characterized in that in the
refrigerator-freezer, the operating means does not open the
connection between the hermetically sealed containers and the
exhaust duct when the hermetically sealed containers are not
connected to the connection ends of the exhaust duct.
[0021] Because by this, exhaust is not discharged from the exhaust
duct unless it is checked that the hermetically sealed container is
connected to the exhaust duct, there is no fear of discharging
unnecessary exhaust.
[0022] The present invention is also characterized in that the
refrigerator-freezer further comprises a temperature detection
means for detecting the temperature inside the hermetically sealed
container wherein the operating means opens the connection between
the hermetically sealed containers and the exhaust duct after
detecting that the temperature inside the hermetically sealed
container lowers to the specified value.
[0023] By this, in the event that the temperature inside the
hermetically sealed container is high, temperature inside the
container can be lowered by convection of air inside and can be
efficiently cooled.
[0024] The present invention is also characterized in that the
refrigerator-freezer has a vacuum breaking means for breaking the
vacuum condition after exhaust by the exhaust means is mounted to
the hermetically sealed containers.
[0025] By this, it is possible to easily open and close the
hermetically sealed container under vacuum and in the refrigerated
condition.
[0026] The present invention is also characterized in that the
refrigerator-freezer has a bio-ceramic element which has
bioactivity to generate negative ions is located inside the
hermetically sealed containers.
[0027] By this, it is possible to prevent the foodstuff inside the
hermetically sealed container from being oxidized and the flavor
from being impaired by the effects of negative ions which the
bio-ceramic generates. Furthermore, effects of suppressing odor
generated by the foodstuff inside the hermetically sealed container
are produced, too. Because generation of negative ions of the
bio-ceramic is semi-permanent, the effects continue once it is
installed.
[0028] The present invention also provides a refrigerator-freezer
which has one or a plurality of storages and a cooling means for
cooling the storages, which are formed into a hermetically sealed
construction, and is equipped with an exhaust means for discharging
exhaust of the storages of the hermetically sealed
construction.
[0029] By this, it is possible to achieve a refrigerator-freezer
which can maintain the foodstuff freshness for a long time by
preventing oxidation of the foodstuff and ice formation on the
foodstuff surface in the vacuum condition by hermetically sealing
the storage and preventing the foodstuff from coming in contact
with air.
[0030] The present invention is also characterized in that the
refrigerator-freezer has a vacuum breaking means for breaking the
vacuum condition after the exhaust means discharges exhaust
equipped to the storage.
[0031] By this, it is possible to easily open and close the storage
under vacuum and in the refrigerated condition.
[0032] The present invention is also characterized in that the
refrigerator-freezer has the exhaust means which waits until the
temperature inside the storages lowers to the specified temperature
and carries out the exhaust operation.
[0033] By this, in the event that the temperature inside the
storage is high, temperature inside the storage can be lowered by
convection of air inside and can be efficiently cooled.
[0034] The present invention is also characterized in that the
refrigerator-freezer has an open-close detection means for
detecting the open-close of the storage door, which is installed to
the storage.
[0035] Because by this, exhaust can be discharged by making sure
the storage door is open or closed, there is no fear of discharging
unnecessary exhaust.
[0036] The present invention is also characterized in that the
refrigerator-freezer has the cooling means which has a plurality of
heat exchangers inside the storage.
[0037] By this, it is possible to effectively cool even when
exhaust takes place and at the same time to keep the humidity of
the storage.
[0038] The present invention is characterized in that the
refrigerator-freezer has a bio-ceramic element which has
bioactivity to generate negative ions located inside the
storage.
[0039] By this, it is possible to prevent the foodstuff inside the
storage from being oxidized and the flavor from being impaired by
the effects of negative ions which the bio-ceramic generates.
Furthermore, effects of suppressing odor generated by the foodstuff
inside the storage are produced, too. Because generation of
negative ions of the bio-ceramic is semi-permanent, the effects
continue once it is installed.
[0040] The present invention provides a storage container used for
storing reserves in refrigerator-freezer which comprises a
hermetically sealing means for hermetically sealing the storage
containers, an exhaust means for individually discharging exhaust
of the storage containers, and a switching means for turning ON/OFF
the exhaust means.
[0041] Because by this, the cold storage can keep the storage
container hermetically sealed in the vacuum condition and can
prevent the food stuff from coming in contact with air, it is
possible to achieve a cold storage which can maintain the foodstuff
freshness for a long time by preventing oxidation of the foodstuff
and ice formation on the foodstuff surface.
[0042] The present invention is characterized in that the storage
container has a vacuum breaking means for breaking the vacuum
condition after exhaust is discharged by the exhaust means equipped
to the storage containers.
[0043] By this, it is possible to easily open and close the storage
container under vacuum and in the refrigerated condition.
[0044] The present invention is characterized in that the storage
container has a bio-ceramic element which has bioactivity to
generate negative ions located inside the storage containers.
[0045] By this, it is possible to prevent the foodstuff inside the
storage container from being oxidized and the flavor from being
impaired by the effects of negative ions which the bio-ceramic
generates. Furthermore, effects of suppressing odor generated by
the foodstuff inside the container are produced, too. Because
generation of negative ions of the bio-ceramic is semi-permanent,
the effects continue once it is installed.
[0046] The present invention provides a cold storage which has a
freezer compartment that can refrigerate and store preserves in the
warehouse which comprises a hermetically sealing means for
hermetically sealing the freezer compartment, an exhaust means for
individually discharging exhaust of the freezer compartment, and a
switching means for turning ON/OFF the exhaust means.
[0047] Because by this, the cold storage can keep the freezer in
the vacuum condition and can prevent the food stuff from coming in
contact with air, it is possible to achieve a cold storage which
can maintain the foodstuff freshness for a long time by preventing
oxidation of the foodstuff and ice formation on the foodstuff
surface.
[0048] The present invention is also characterized in that the cold
storage has a vacuum breaking means for breaking the vacuum
condition after exhaust is discharged by the exhaust means equipped
to the freezer compartment.
[0049] By this, it is possible to easily open and close the freezer
compartment under vacuum and in the refrigerated condition.
[0050] The present invention is also characterized in that the cold
storage has a bio-ceramic element which has bioactivity to generate
negative ions located inside the freezer compartment.
[0051] By this, it is possible to prevent the foodstuff inside the
freezer compartment from being oxidized and the flavor from being
impaired by the effects of negative ions which the bio-ceramic
generates. Furthermore, effects of suppressing odor generated by
the foodstuff inside the freezer compartment are produced, too.
Because generation of negative ions of the bio-ceramic is
semi-permanent, the effects continue once it is installed.
[0052] The present invention is also characterized in that the
storage container has a temperature sensor for detecting the
existence of humans or living organisms by temperature mounted
inside the freezer compartment.
[0053] By this, it is possible to avoid danger of humans and living
organisms from being confined in the freezer compartment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0054] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the
industrial refrigerator according to the present invention;
[0055] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the other embodiment of
the industrial refrigerator-freezer according to the present
invention;
[0056] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of
the industrial refrigerator-freezer according to the present
invention;
[0057] FIG. 4; and
[0058] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the other embodiment of
the household refrigerator-freezer according to the present
invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0059] Referring now to the drawings, embodiments of the present
invention will be described in detail hereinafter.
[0060] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the
industrial refrigerator-freezer 10 according to the present
invention.
[0061] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a hermetically
sealed container, 12 a housing covering, 13 an heat insulator, 14 a
door, 15 an operation panel, 16 a heat exchanger, 17 a cold air
circulating fan, 18 a compressor, 19 an exhaust pump, 20 an exhaust
duct, 21 shelves catch, 22 shelf board, 23, packing, and 24 vacuum
breaker handle.
[0062] In keeping with FIG. 1, operation of the industrial
refrigerator-freezer 10 of the present invention will be
described.
[0063] The present industrial refrigerator-freezer 10 is formed
into a box by the housing covering 12 comprising metal sheets, etc.
and the heat insulator 13 for cold insulation to back the housing
covering. The compressor 18 is driven by a motor not illustrated
and when the compressor 18 is operated, steam of a refrigerant
which is evaporated by the heat exchanger 16 and becomes low
temperature and low pressure is sucked into the compressor 18 and
compressed, and becomes steam at temperature considerably higher
than room temperature. This steam is allowed to pass a condenser
not illustrated located outside the industrial refrigerator-freezer
10 and to discharge heat. Then, the steam is liquefied while it
passes the condenser. This liquefied refrigerant is allowed to pass
a capillary tube not illustrated and directed to the heat exchanger
16. In such event, the refrigerant pressure is lowered by the fluid
resistance of the capillary tube, the refrigerant expands to
vaporize, and deprives itself from heat by the vaporization heat at
the heat exchanger 16 inside the industrial refrigerator-freezer 10
as well as deprives the surrounding from heat to lower its
temperature, and thereby lowers the temperature inside the
refrigerator-freezer. This is same as the operation inside a
regular refrigerator.
[0064] The storage inside of the industrial refrigerator-freezer 10
is formed into the hermetically sealed container 11 and the door
section is built integral with the door 14 of the refrigerator 10.
To the inside of this hermetically sealed container 11, the shelf
board 22 supported by the shelves catch 21 is mounted and foodstuff
can be placed. The shelf board 22 is of a mesh or grating
construction to achieve vertical permeability and is intended not
to serve as resistance to air flow during exhaust discharge. When
the foodstuff is refrigerated, the foodstuff is stored by being
placed on the shelf board 22 of the hermetically sealed container
11. When the door 14 is closed after storing the foodstuff, the
packing 23 equipped on the inner side of the door 14 hermetically
seals the hermetically sealed container 11. Pressing an exhaust
switch on the operation panel 15 equipped on the door 14 in advance
can detect the complete closure of the door 14 and at the same time
causes the exhaust pump 19 to operate to discharge air inside the
hermetically sealed container 11 via the exhaust duct 20. A switch
of the operation panel 15 equipped on the door 14 may be pressed
after storing the foodstuff to make the exhaust pump 19 operating.
By this, the inside of the hermetically sealed container 11 is
brought to the negative atmosphere, vacuum state. When the
specified negative pressure state is achieved, the exhaust pump 19
automatically stops. The open-close state of the door 14 can be
detected by a detection switch or others mounted on the door 14
side or to the door section of the hermetically sealed container
11.
[0065] Because refrigerating the foodstuff in the evacuated
hermetically sealed container 11 can prevent oxidation of
foodstuff, the freshness of foodstuff can be preserved for a long
time and discoloration of foodstuff can be prevented. In
particular, when leaf vegetables are stored, since air between
leaves is discharged and the moisture content adhering to the leaf
surface vaporizes to deprive them from vaporization heat, the
vegetables can be cooled quickly to the inside and at the same time
the moisture content does not adhere to the leaf surface in the
form of ice, and the freshness can be preserved for a long
time.
[0066] Furthermore, affixing a bio-ceramic element to the wall
inside the hermetically sealed container 11 can preserve the
freshness of foodstuff much longer by the effects of negative ions
generated by the bio-ceramic, and the foodstuff can stay fresh for
a long time. The effect of this bio-ceramic can be semi-permanently
maintained.
[0067] Now, the hermetically sealed container 11 from which air is
once discharged cannot be opened easily because of the atmospheric
pressure. To solve this problem, in the present embodiment, the
vacuum breaker handle 24 is equipped, and when the door 14 is
opened, this handle 24 is operated and the door is opened after
breaking the vacuum first. Any type and form of a vacuum breaker
handle 24 may be used as long as it is of the type which opens the
vent passage by operating the handle and closes the vent passage by
returning.
[0068] In addition, there is a problem in that convection does not
take place when air inside the container is lost and cooling is not
efficiently carried out at the time of exhaust discharge and
cooling of the hermetically sealed container 11. On the other hand,
discharging exhaust after air inside the container is cooled is a
waste of thermal capacity used for cooling the exhausted air. In
view of this, it is efficient to promote convention in the stage of
comparatively high temperature, and discharge exhaust after the air
lowers to a specified temperature. Consequently, in the present
invention, a means for detecting the temperature of hermetically
sealed container 11 is provided and exhaust is discharged when a
specified temperature is achieved. Or, contrivances can be made to
prevent the hermetically container from achieving complete vacuum
after exhausting.
[0069] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the other
embodiment of an industrial refrigerator-freezer 10 according to
the present invention. In FIG. 2, reference numerals 11a and 11b
denote a hermetically sealed container, 12 housing covering, 13 a
heat insulator, 14 a door, 15 an operation panel, 16 a heat
exchanger, 17 a cold air circulating fan, 18 a compressor, 19 an
exhaust pump, 20 an exhaust duct, 21a and 21b a shelves catch, 22a
and 22b a shelf board, 23a and 23b packing, 24a and 24b a vacuum
breaker handle, 25a and 25b a container door, and 26a and 26b an
operating device. For convenience, like reference characters
designate like or corresponding parts in FIG. 1.
[0070] What the present embodiment differs from that shown in FIG.
1 is that a plurality of hermetically sealed containers 11a, 11b
are equipped inside the refrigerator-freezer. These hermetically
sealed containers 11a, 11b are connected independently to the
exhaust duct 20, respectively, and between hermetically sealed
containers 11a, 11b and the exhaust duct 20, operating devices 26a,
26b are equipped. To hermetically sealed containers 11a, 11b,
container doors 25a, 25b are equipped, respectively and can be
opened and closed independently. To container doors 25a, 25b,
vacuum breaker handles 24a, 25b are equipped, respectively, and can
separately break vacuum of hermetically sealed containers 11a, 11b,
respectively.
[0071] When the foodstuff is refrigerated, the foodstuff is housed
in these hermetically sealed containers 11a, 11b, container doors
25a, 25b are closed, and hermetically containers 11a, 11b to be
exhausted are designated from the operation panel 15 mounted to the
door 14, and exhaustion is directed. By this, the exhaust pump 19
begins exhaust action and at the same time, the operating device
26a or 26b that connects the exhaust duct 20 to the directed
hermetically sealed container 11a or 11b is opened and air in the
designated hermetically sealed container 11a or 11b is discharged.
By this configuration, hermetically sealed containers 11 with still
smaller capacity are independently controlled, respectively, to
refrigerate the foodstuff under vacuum.
[0072] It is possible to reserve the freshness of foodstuff for
still longer time by the effects of negative ions by equipping a
bio-ceramic element to the inside of these hermetically sealed
containers 11, too.
[0073] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
industrial refrigerator-freezer 10 according to the present
invention. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 12 denote a housing
covering, 13 a heat insulator, 14 a door, 16 a heat exchanger, 17
cold air circulating fan, 18 a compressor, 19 an exhaust pump, 20
an exhaust duct, 23 packing, 24 a vacuum breaker handle, and 27 a
sealed compartment. For convenience, like reference characters
designate like or corresponding parts in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
[0074] What the present embodiment differs from those shown in FIG.
1 and FIG. 2 is that the storage is replaced by a sealed
compartment 27. The sealed compartment 27 is constructed to be
sealed by door 14, and to the door 14, a vacuum breaker handle 24
is equipped. To the periphery of the hermetically sealed
compartment 27 of the door 14 and to the side with which the door
of the hermetically sealed compartment 27 comes in contact, packing
23 is mounted to prevent air leakage.
[0075] When the foodstuff is refrigerated, housing the foodstuff in
these hermetically sealed compartments 27 and closing the door 14
causes the exhaust pump 19 to automatically start exhaust operation
and the hermetically sealed compartment 27 is exhausted. In
addition, it is possible to start discharging exhaust after the
temperature inside the hermetically sealed compartment 27 of the
storage lowers to a specified temperature. By this, in the stage
where the inside temperature is comparatively high, it is possible
to cool he inside by convection of air inside and the cooling
effects can be improved. Furthermore, it is possible to equip a
plurality of heat exchanger 16 in the sealed compartment 27 to
maintain cooling effects even after exhausting. By this kind of
configuration, a simplified type industrial refrigerator-freezer 10
with smaller capacity is achieved and the foodstuff can be
refrigerated in vacuum. By the way, the exhaust pump 19 may be
located outside the housing and externally mounted. To this sealed
compartment 27, a bio-ceramic element may be mounted inside as is
the case of the above-mentioned examples, thereby preserving the
foodstuff freshness much longer by the negative ion effects.
[0076] In the foregoing description, industrial
refrigerator-freezer according to the present invention has been
described, but the same hermetically sealing and exhaust
configuration can be applied to storage containers housed in cold
storages and freezer compartments of cold storages. That is, in the
storage container, this can be achieved by the construction same as
the hermetically sealed containers shown in FIG. 2 with an exhaust
device equipped to each container, and freezer compartments of cold
storages can be achieved by increasing the size with the
construction same as that of industrial refrigerator of FIG. 3
adopted. Needless to say, the foodstuff freshness can be preserved
still longer by negative ion effects by mounting bio-ceramic
elements to the inside of these storage containers and freezer
compartments. In addition, to prevent humans and creatures such as
dogs and cats from being left inside the refrigerator storage,
temperature sensors that detect the existence of creatures by the
bodily temperature are mounted and refrigeration function and
evacuating function may be stopped in the event temperature sensors
detect the bodily temperature.
[0077] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of
one embodiment of a household refrigerator 10 according to the
present invention. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 11-1 through 11-5
denote a hermetically sealed container according to the present
invention, 12 a housing covering, 13 a heat insulator, 14 a door,
14-1 a storage door, 14-2 vegetable crisper door, 14-3 and 14-4
freezer compartment doors. Furthermore, reference numeral 16-1 a
heat exchanger for storage, 16-2 a heat exchanger of freezer
compartment, 17-1 a cold air circulating fan for storage and 17-2 a
cold air circulating fan for freezer compartment, 18 a compressor,
19 an exhaust pump, 20 an exhaust duct, 28 an operating device, 29
refrigerator lighting lamp, 30 a storage, 31 a vegetable crisper,
32 a freezer compartment A, and 33 a freezer compartment B. For
convenience, like reference characters designate like or
corresponding parts in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3.
[0078] In keeping with FIG. 4, operation of the household
refrigerator 10 of the present invention will be described. The
compressor 18 is driven by a motor not illustrated. When the
compressor 18 is operated, steam of a low-temperature low-pressure
refrigerant which is evaporated by the storage heat exchangers 16-1
and freezer compartment heat exchanger 16-2 is sucked in the
compressor 18 and compressed, and acquires temperature considerably
higher than room temperature. This steam is allowed to pass a
condenser not illustrated located outside the refrigerator 10 and
to discharge heat. Then, the steam is liquefied while it passes the
condenser. This liquefied refrigerant is allowed to pass a
capillary tube not illustrated and directed to the storage heat
exchanger 16-1 and freezer compartment heat exchanger 16-2. In such
event, the refrigerant pressure is lowered by the fluid resistance
of the capillary tube, the refrigerant expands to vaporize, and
deprives itself from heat by the vaporization heat at the storage
heat exchanger 16-1 and freezer compartment heat exchanger 16-2
inside the refrigerator 10 as well as deprives the surrounding from
heat to lower its temperature, and thereby lowers the temperature
inside the refrigerator. This is same as the operation inside a
regular refrigerator.
[0079] To the storage 30, vegetable crisper 31, freezer compartment
A 32 and freezer compartment B 33, hermetically sealed containers
11-1 through 11-5 are removably mounted. The hermetically sealed
containers 11-1 through 11-5 are individually connected to exhaust
duct 20, respectively, and between hermetically sealed containers
11-1 through 11-5 and exhaust duct 20, the operating device 28 is
installed. When this operating device 28 is opened, air inside the
container is discharged by the action of exhaust pump 19, the
inside of the hermetically sealed containers 11-1 through 11-5 is
depressurized and achieves the vacuum condition below atmospheric
pressure.
[0080] When the foodstuff is refrigerated, the foodstuff is housed
in the hermetically sealed containers 11-1 through 11-5, and after
the temperature inside the hermetically sealed containers 11-1
through 11-5 is lowered to a certain extent, air inside the
hermetically sealed containers 11-1 through 11-5 is discharged.
When temperature inside the hermetically sealed containers 11-1
through 11-5 is lowered, while temperature is comparatively high,
it is effective to cool by the use of convection of air inside.
Consequently, in this stage, air inside the hermetically sealed
containers 11-1 through 11-5 is not discharged but the temperature
inside the hermetically sealed containers 11-1 through 11-5 is
monitored and the air is discharged when the air temperature lowers
to a certain extent. Or the covers of the hermetically sealed
containers 11-1 through 11-5 are closed and air is discharged with
a specified time provided after the exhaust is directed.
[0081] Because refrigerating the foodstuff in the evacuated
hermetically sealed container 11 in this way can prevent oxidation
of foodstuff, the freshness of foodstuff can be preserved for a
long time and discoloration of foodstuff can be prevented. In
addition, when leaf vegetables are preserved in the hermetically
sealed container 11-3 of the vegetable crisper 31, since air
between leaves is discharged and the moisture content adhering to
the leaf surface is likely to vaporize and deprives them from
vaporization heat, the vegetables can be cooled quickly to the
inside, and are difficult to lose the freshness. In addition, when
pieces of ice made in hermetically sealed containers 11-4, 11-5 of
the freezer compartment A 32 and freezer compartment B 33 or frozen
foodstuff are preserved, it is possible to prevent ice pieces and
frozen foodstuff from being stuck each other due to moisture in
air, and they can be handled easily.
[0082] By the way, affixing a bio-ceramic element to the wall
inside the hermetically sealed containers 11-1 through 11-5 as is
the case of above-mentioned examples can preserve the freshness of
foodstuff much longer by the effects of negative ions.
[0083] The operating device 28 can be opened and closed by a panel
switch not illustrated, which is mounted, for example, to the
surface of the refrigerator proper 10. In such event, by allowing
the operating device 28 to open only when it recognizes that
hermetically sealed containers 11-1 through 11-5 are connected to
the corresponding connection ends of the exhaust duct 20 and not to
open when they are not connected, the exhaust pump 19 can be
prevented from making unnecessary exhaust action.
[0084] Now, because the hermetically sealed containers 11-1 through
11-5 from which air is once discharged cannot be opened easily
because of the atmospheric pressure, a handle not illustrated for
breaking vacuum is mounted to each of hermetically sealed
containers 11-1 through 11-5 and when the exhausted hermetically
sealed containers 11-1 through 11-5 are opened, the vacuum breaker
handle is used to break vacuum before opening the containers.
[0085] Now, for the refrigerator 10, a motor is necessary to
operate the compressor 18. This motor for compressor is not
continuously operated but intermittently operated only when the
refrigerator inside must be cooled. Consequently, the motor for
compressor can be used also as the motor for driving the exhaust
pump 19, and by this, the device can be fabricated less expensively
and in a smaller size.
[0086] In the foregoing description, it was described that the
hermetically sealed containers 11-1 through 11-5 are connected to
the exhaust duct 20 and exhausted by the same exhaust pump 19.
However, it is also possible to provide a simplified exhaust means
to each of the hermetically sealed containers 11-1 through 11-5 and
to evacuate air from the hermetically sealed containers 11-1
through 11-5. FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of another
embodiment of the household refrigerator 10 with such configuration
according to the present invention.
[0087] In FIG. 5, for convenience sake, like reference characters
designate like or corresponding parts in FIG. 4.
[0088] What the present embodiment differs from that shown in FIG.
4 is that the exhaust system 35-1 through 35-5 is installed to each
of hermetically sealed containers 11-1 through 11-5, respectively.
The exhaust system 35-1 through 35-5 comprises a small exhaust
pump, blower, and others. The power supply of exhaust systems 35-1
through 35-5 may be taken, for example, from outlets provided
inside the refrigerator and exhaust systems 35-1 through 35-5 may
be turned on/off by the switch mounted to the cover portion of the
exhaust system 35-1 through 35-5.
[0089] In the present embodiment, too, air inside the hermetically
sealed containers 11-1 through 11-5 may be discharged when the air
temperature inside the hermetically sealed containers 11-1 through
11-5 lowers to a certain degree or with the cover of the
hermetically sealed containers 11-1 through 11-5 closed and with a
specified time provided after the exhaust is directed. In addition,
in such event, too, a bio-ceramic element may be mounted inside the
hermetically sealed containers 11-1 through 11-5 as is the case of
the above-mentioned examples, thereby preserving the foodstuff
freshness much longer by the negative ion effects.
[0090] Although the household refrigerator-freezer according to the
present invention has been described in keeping with the
embodiment, it is understood that the present invention may be
embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of
essential characteristics thereof. For example, in the embodiments
of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, one each of heat exchanger is mounted to each
of the freezer compartment and the storage, respectively, but
needless to say, one heat exchanger may be used and the
refrigerator is of a type to separate the freezer compartment and
the storage in accord with the cold air circulating position.
Furthermore, though no detailed description has been made, various
changes and modifications may be made in the size and shape of the
hermetically sealed container, mounting position of the exhaust
duct or exhaust system, etc. without departing from the spirit and
scope thereof.
* * * * *