VACUUM COOLER, ITS SUPERCOOLING PREVENTIVE DEVICE, AND VACUUM COOLING METHOD

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vacuum cooler and a vacuum cooling method allowing stable cooling by reducing the difference of temperature after cooling even in the case of cooling different food at the same time. SOLUTION: The vacuum cooler 1 comprises a treating chamber 3 storing cooled objects 2, a pressure reducing means 4 in the treating chamber 3, and a pressure restoring means 5 in the treating chamber 3 reduced in pressure. A pressure restoring line 11 which leads outside air into the treating chamber 3, is provided with a pressure restoring operation valve 12 for regulating the lead-in quantity of outside air. The treating chamber 3 is provided with a pressure sensor 13 for detecting pressure in the treating chamber 3, and an object temperature sensor 14 for detecting the temperature of the cooled objects 2 stored in the treating chamber 3. Vacuum cooling by the vacuum cooler 1 is performed by reducing pressure in the treating chamber 3 to a set pressure by a pressure reducing means 4, then regulating the opening of the pressure restoring operation valve 12 while operating the pressure reducing means 4 at fixed capacity, to lead outside air into the treating chamber 3, and maintaining the pressure in the treating chamber 3 to the set pressure. When the object temperature sensor 14 detects a target temperature, cooling treatment is terminated. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT