PURPOSE: To obtain water for moistening without providing a water storing tank by providing a reversible moisture absorption material absorbing and releasing water, a heating activation heater, an air fan and a means for switching an inlet passage and an outlet passage in a food moisture retention container wherein a food after cooking is kept under a proper temp. and a proper moisture conditions.
CONSTITUTION: In the case where a food storing box 32 contg. cooked or defrozen food materials is kept in a storing room 9, a moisture absorbing cycle is performed by closing a bypass line 25 in a moistening apparatus 10 and starting an air fan and the outside air is sucked from a suction passage 16 and is sent to a moisture absorbing material 11, where water in the air is absorbed with the moisture absorbing material 11. When moisture absorption approaches saturation, the moisture absorption cycle is stopped and a releasing cycle is performed. Namely, a heating activation heater is turned on and the air in the storing room is sent to the moisture absorbing material 11 through a circulation passage 30 etc., and water being activated by heating by means of the heating activation heater 13 and being changed to released condition from the moisture absorbing material 11 is taken in and this is blown into the storing room 9 from the circulation passage 31 and is absorbed with the food materials.
TAJIMA AKIO
MOTOZUKA YASUYUKI