Storage device for processed foods

• US 4,426,923 A
• Filed: 09/27/1982
• Issued: 01/24/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Takashi Ohata
• Original Assignee: Takashi Ohata
• Inventors: Ohata, Takashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Simone, Timothy F.
• Application Number:
  US06/424,152
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: 99/447, 99/331, 99/332, 99/467, 99/468, 99/473, 99/474, 99/483, 99/486, 426/418, 426/419, 426/465, 426/506, 426/523, 219/362, 219/386, 219/400, 219/401, 219/408, 312/31, 312/236, 312/237, 126/348, 126/369, 126/20, 126/21 A
• US Class Current: 99/468
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/3418 in a controlled atmosphere, e.g. partial vacuum, comprising only CO2, N2, O2 or H2O
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 39/003 with forced air circulation

Abstract

A storage device for processed foods comprising a sealed storage chamber, an air passage provided in the storage chamber so as to extend along an inner surface thereof and having a suction port and a discharge port at upper and lower sections thereof, respectively, to permit the air to be circulated in the storage chamber, a fan provided in the air passage, an air heater provided in the storage chamber, a steam generator opened into the storage chamber, a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor provided in the storage chamber, and an electric circuit. The temperature in the storage chamber is regulated by the electric circuit to a predetermined level and thereby maintain the temperature therein substantially at a required level automatically. The humidity in the storage chamber is also regulated by the electric circuit to a predetermined level and thereby maintain the humidity therein substantially at a required level automatically.

Claims

1. A storage device for processed foods, comprising a sealed storage chamber formed in such a manner that processed foods can be inserted thereinto and withdrawn therefrom, said chamber having upper, lower and oppositely disposed side walls defined by an inner surface thereof, an air passage provided in said storage chamber so as to extend along intermediate portions of said upper, lower and two oppositely disposed side walls of said inner surface thereof and having a suction port and discharge port means at an upper section and a lower section thereof, respectively, to permit the air to be circulated in said storage chamber, said discharge port means being formed adjacent a ventilating net located above said lower wall of said chamber, a fan provided in said upper section of said air passage in which said suction port is located for directing air downwardly through two side sections of said air passage for discharge through said discharge port means, an air heater provided in said storage chamber, a steam generator having a steam discharge port which is opened into said storage chamber through said ventilating net, a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor provided in said storage chamber, an electric circuit having a temperature regulator responsive to said temperature sensor for controlling said air heater so as to regulate the temperature in said storage chamber to a predetermined level, and an electric circuit having a humidity regulator responsive to said humidity sensor for controlling said steam generator so as to regulate the humidity in said chamber to a predetermined level.

2. A storage device according to claim 1 wherein said discharge port means are located above said ventilating net.

3. A storage device according to claim 1 wherein said discharge port means are located below said ventilating net.

4. A storage device for processed foods according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein the air heater is an electric heater.

5. A storage device for processing foods according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein the air heater is a pipe connected to steam generator.

6. A storage device for processing foods according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein the air heater is a gas burner unit.