JP4429596B2

JP4429596B2 - Thin plate food manufacturing method and apparatus

Info

Publication number: JP4429596B2
Application number: JP2002367811A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 好人柴内; 雅之郷田
Original assignee: Snow Brand Milk Products Co Ltd
Current assignee: Snow Brand Milk Products Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-12-19
Filing date: 2002-12-19
Publication date: 2010-03-10
Anticipated expiration: 2022-12-19
Also published as: JP2004194578A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、加熱または冷却によって固化する性質を有する流動性食品材料を板状に成形することで、薄板状食品を製造する方法とその装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
加熱または冷却によって固化する性質を有する流動性食品材料を板状に成形した食品としては、チーズ、餅、蒲鉾等が挙げられる。これらの食品製品は、通常、食品材料に加熱処理や水分等の配合処理などによって流動性を持たせ、これをポンプやピストンなどでノズルなどの一般的な吐出装置へ圧送し、さらにこの吐出装置から所定の厚さで板状に成形しながら吐出し、さらに加えて、吐出された板状の流動性食品材料に加熱または冷却による熱処理を施すことによって製造されている。
【０００３】
上記のような板状食品製品の製造では、板状に吐出された流動性食品材料の大きさが、厚さが概ね１０ｍｍ程度以上、且つ幅が概ね５００ｍｍ程度以下であれば、ほぼ均一な厚さで製造することが可能であった。しかし、このような大きさでない場合、とくに、厚さが５ｍｍ以下で幅が５００ｍｍ以上となると、均一な厚さで流動性食品材料を板状に吐出して成形することが非常に困難であった。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
そこで、本発明は、加熱または冷却によって固化する性質を有する流動性食品材料を薄く且つ一定の厚さで吐出して成形することで、薄板状食品を製造する方法とその装置を提供することを課題とする。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明者らは、上記のような困難が生じる原因を熱流体運動のコンピュータ・シミュレーション等によって詳細に検討した。その結果、以下の知見が得られた。従来の吐出装置、例えば、冷却能力を有する搬送装置の搬送面上方にノズルを設けて流動性食品材料を薄板状に成形する場合、底部に搬送装置の搬送面の幅とほぼ同じかそれ以下の幅の比較的広い開口部を吐出口として有する箱形ノズルにおいて、流動性食品材料をほぼ一定の厚さで吐出することに困難を伴うのは、▲１▼ノズル内において流動性食品材料が搬送装置の幅方向、即ち搬送装置の搬送面の進行方向とは垂直方向に向かって螺旋運動をすることにより次第に冷却を受けて、ノズル内において搬送装置の幅方向に流動性食品材料の不均一な温度分布が生じるとともに、流動性食品材料の粘度分布も不均一なものになる。そのため、ノズルの幅方向において吐出圧を均一にしたとしても、吐出量に不均一な分布が生じること、▲２▼流動性食品材料の不均一な温度分布に基づいてノズルに熱応力変形が生じることが、主な原因であることがわかった。
【０００６】
そこで、本発明は上記課題の解決を図るため、次の手段を用いる。
即ち、加熱または冷却によって固化する性質を有する流動性食品材料を、所定速度で可動な搬送装置の搬送面上に、板状に連続吐出し、さらに搬送しながら、該搬送装置、または／および、該搬送装置の搬送面上に吐出された流動性食品材料を、搬送装置上または／および該搬送装置の搬送面上で加熱または冷却することにより固化させて板状食品を製造する方法において、流動性食品材料を、搬送装置の搬送面の可動方向とは垂直方向である幅方向へ、該流動性食品材料を展開する展開工程と、前記展開工程から移送された流動性食品材料を一時的に貯留させる滞留工程と、前記展開工程と前記滞留工程の間に設けられ、両工程間の流動性食品材料の流量を幅方向の展開を維持しつつ規制することにより、流動性食品材料の螺旋運動を抑制する流量制御工程と、滞留工程を経た流動性食品材料を、搬送装置の搬送面上に面状に接触させ、搬送面と接触した流動性食品材料を固化させた後、連続的に板状に成形しながら吐出する成形吐出工程とを通過させることで、流動性食品材料を搬送装置の搬送面上に、薄く且つ略一定の厚さで板状に連続成形することを特徴とする薄板状食品の製造方法とする。
この方法においては、搬送装置の搬送面上に吐出される流動性食品材料に上述の▲１▼のような螺旋運動をさせないことが要点となる。この螺旋運動は流動性食品材料の搬送装置の幅方向への流動と、搬送装置の搬送面の移動の両効果が流動性食品材料に加わった結果生じる。そこで、本方法ではこの２つの効果が同時に流動性食品材料に加わらないように、搬送装置の幅方向への流動は搬送装置と接触しない展開工程において、また、搬送装置の搬送面の移動の効果は滞留工程において解消するようにする。これにより滞留工程には、均一な温度分布の流動性食品材料が流入し、流入した流動性食品材料は、滞留工程内においては、螺旋運動ではなく円運動を行い、搬送装置の幅方向へ移動しないため、滞留工程内に搬送装置の幅方向への不均一な温度分布を発生させない。従って、粘度の不均一分布も発生しないため、流動性食品材料の均一な吐出成形が可能となる。このように、展開工程と滞留工程を通過させることで、流動性食品材料に搬送装置の幅方向への螺旋運動を発生させないことが可能となる。
【０００７】
そして、上記製造方法を実施する装置として、加熱または冷却によって固化する性質を有する流動性食品材料を板状に成形する板状食品製造装置において、流動性食品材料を供給する供給装置と、搬送装置の搬送面の搬送方向とは垂直方向である幅方向へ、該流動性食品材料を展開させる展開部と、前記展開部から移送された流動性食品材料を一時的に貯留させる滞留部と、前記展開部と前記滞留部とを分離し、両部間の流動性食品材料の流量を幅方向の展開を維持しつつ規制することで、流動性食品材料の螺旋運動を抑制する流量制御部と、前記滞留部において一時的に貯留された流動性食品材料を、搬送装置の搬送面上に面状に接触させることで、搬送面と接触した流動性食品材料を固化させ、所定の厚さで板状に成形しながら連続吐出させる成形吐出部とを備えた吐出装置と、前記吐出装置から吐出された流動性食品材料を搬送可能な搬送面を有する搬送装置と、前記搬送装置、または／および、前記搬送装置の搬送面上に吐出された流動性食品材料を、加熱または冷却可能な熱処理装置とからなり、前記吐出装置において滞留部の底部に成形吐出部を設けたことを特徴とする薄板状食品の製造装置とする。
【０００８】
とくに、上記吐出装置が、略方形状の側壁部と、該側壁部に囲まれた内部空間を、上側の部分空間である展開部と、下側の部分空間である滞留部に分割する、１つの隔壁板とを少なくとも備え、該隔壁板に、１つまたは複数の貫通孔を設けることで、展開部と滞留部を連通させるとともに、側壁部の下端部で形成される下側開口部を成形吐出部とした構成である、薄板状食品の製造装置としてもよい。
【０００９】
また、上記吐出装置が、略左右対称、または／および、略上下対称となる、垂直断面形状を有するものとしてもよい。このような形状とすることで、吐出装置が加熱された場合の成形吐出部の不均一な熱応力変形を軽減する効果を有する。
【００１０】
さらに、上記吐出装置が、上記側壁部の上端部に、緩衝材が付設されるとともに、該緩衝材に圧着自在な蓋を備えることで、上記側壁部の上端部で形成される上側開口部を閉蓋可能とした構成であるものとしてもよい。
【００１１】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の実施形態を図面に示した実施例に基づいて説明するが、以下の具体例は本発明を限定するものではない。実施形態は、本発明の趣旨から逸脱しない限り適宜変更可能なものである。
図１に、吐出装置の一例であるノズルの平面図を、図２に、吐出装置の一例であるノズルの正面図を、図３に、吐出装置の一例であるノズルの垂直断面図を、図４（イ）に、吐出装置であるノズルの垂直断面図の一例を、図４（ロ）に、吐出装置であるノズルの垂直断面図の一例を、図４（ハ）に、吐出装置であるノズルの垂直断面図の一例を、図５に、搬送装置にスチールコンベヤを、吐出装置に図１から図３に示すノズルを用いた場合の、薄板状食品を製造する工程を示す説明図を、図６に、搬送装置に回転ドラムを、吐出装置に図１から図３に示すノズルを用いた場合の、薄板状食品を製造する工程を示す説明図を示す。
【００１２】
本発明である薄板状食品の製造方法と製造装置を、流動性食品材料が移送される順番に則して説明する。
【００１３】
適宜調合された流動性食品材料（１）は、加熱や加水などによって流動状態となって、供給タンク（２）に貯留される。流動状態となった食品材料（１）に要求される特性は、少なくとも、板状に吐出可能な適度な粘度と加熱または冷却するとゲル化や可塑化等により固化することである。このような特性を有する食品材料としては、チーズやバターなどの乳製品、マーガリン、でんぷんやゼリーなどのゲル状製品、蒲鉾や魚のすり身などの練り物製品などが挙げられる。もちろん、例示列挙した食品材料に限らず、加熱や加水、混練等によって流動状態となり、加熱または冷却すると固化するものであれば食品材料以外の材料、例えば、合成樹脂などにも用いることができる。
【００１４】
流動性食品材料（１）は、通常、送液ポンプ（３）によって、吐出装置であるノズル（Ａ）に圧送される。ノズル（Ａ）への供給量を一定に保つために、送液ポンプ（３）は、定容積型ポンプやロータリー型ポンプのような定量型ポンプとするのが好ましい。また、より高い送液精度が要求される場合には、送液ポンプ（３）の下流に、例えば電磁流量計のような流量計（４）を設置し、流量計（４）によって計測された流量情報を送液ポンプ（３）にフィードバックすることによって、所望の流量が得られるように制御するようにしてもよい。
【００１５】
ノズル（Ａ）に圧送された流動性食品材料（１）は、まず、ノズル（Ａ）の展開部（６）に供給される。展開部（６）は、ノズル（Ａ）内に圧送された流動性食品材料（１）を、ノズル（Ａ）の下部に設置される搬送装置の搬送面（８）の可動方向とは垂直方向である幅方向へ展開するための空間部分である。
【００１６】
ここで、ノズル（Ａ）の構造について説述する。なお、ここで説述するノズル（Ａ）は、ほぼ方形状の側壁部を有する箱形ノズルを前提とするが、必ずしも箱形ノズルである必要はなく、例えば、図４（イ）（ロ）（ハ）に垂直断面図を示す釣鐘型・角錐型・円錐型のようなノズルでもよく、流動性食品材料の種類・流速・粘度等によって適宜変更可能なものである。
【００１７】
ノズル（Ａ）は、少なくとも４面のおよそ方形状の側壁部（２１）を有する形状とする。ノズル（Ａ）は、一般的には、板状食品の成形に適するように、少なくともその下端部が大きく開口した細長い直方体形状とするのが好ましいが、このような形状に限定するものではなく、例えば下端部が開口したおよそ立方体形状としてもよい。即ち、ノズル（Ａ）の大きく開口した下端部である下側開口部は、流動性食品材料（１）を板状に吐出する成形吐出部であるので、流動性食品材料（１）を板状に吐出するのに適するように大きく開口しているのが好ましい。例えば、少なくとも４面の側壁部（２１）で囲まれただけで開口しているのが好ましいのであるが、流動性食品材料（１）の粘度、流速などによっては、例えば、適宜漏斗状の絞りを設けてもよい。
側壁部（２１）は、一体成形されるものでも、あるいは複数の部材が溶接などによって接続されたものでもよい。
また、側壁部（２１）の材質は、従来のノズルに用いられるものでよく、例えば炭素鋼やステンレス鋼などでもよい。
【００１８】
上述のとおり、ノズル（Ａ）の下側開口部は、流動性食品材料（１）を吐出する成形吐出部であるが、本発明における薄板状食品の製造方法では、流動性食品材料（１）は、搬送装置の搬送面（８）に接触しながらノズル（Ａ）の外側に引き出されるので、流動性食品材料（１）が引き出される側の側壁部（２１）の下端部（２１ａ）は、他の側壁部（２１）の下端部（２１ｂ）（２１ｃ）（２１ｄ）よりも上側に位置する。即ち、流動性食品材料（１）が引き出される側の側壁部（２１）の下端部（２１ａ）と他の側壁部（２１）の下端部（２１ｂ）（２１ｃ）（２１ｄ）との段差から、流動性食品材料（１）は、ノズル（Ａ）外に引き出されるのである。なお、流動性食品材料（１）が引き出される側の側壁部（２１）の下端部（２１ａ）に、シャッターを設けて、流動性食品材料（１）が引き出される側の側壁部（２１）の下端部（２１ａ）と他の側壁部の下端部（２１ｂ）（２１ｃ）（２１ｄ）との段差の高さを変えられるようにしてもよい。
また、とくに、流動性食品材料（１）が引き出される側の側壁部（２１）の下端部（２１ａ）は、流動性食品材料（１）が吐出しやすいように、適宜勾配を設けるなどの加工を施すのが好ましい。さらに、流動性食品材料（１）が引き出される側の側壁部（２１）の下端部（２１ａ）と搬送装置の搬送面（８）との高さが、ほぼ板状に吐出される流動性食品材料（１）の高さ、即ち、板状食品の高さ（薄さ）になる（実際には、熱膨張・熱収縮、搬送装置の搬送面の移動速度などによって、流動性食品材料（１）が引き出される側の側壁部（２１）の下端部（２１ａ）と搬送装置の搬送面（８）との高さと、搬送面（８）において板状に成形される流動性食品材料（１）の高さとの間に若干の誤差が生じるので、この誤差を考慮してノズル（Ａ）の設置位置を調整する必要がある。また、搬送装置の搬送面（８）の移動速度も適宜調節する必要がある。）ので、流動性食品材料（１）が引き出される側の側壁部（２１）の下端部（２１ａ）は、高い精度で平面になるように表面加工されるのが好ましい。
【００１９】
側壁部（２１）で囲まれた内部空間は、１つの隔壁板（２２）を設けることで、上側の展開部（６）と下側の滞留部（７）との２つの空間部分に分割する。展開部（６）は、ノズル（Ａ）内に圧送された流動性食品材料（１）を、ノズル（Ａ）の下部に設置される搬送装置の搬送面（８）の可動方向とは垂直方向である幅方向へ展開するための空間部分であり、滞留部（７）は、展開部（６）から移送された流動性食品材料（１）を、成形吐出部から吐出されるまで一時的に貯留する空間部分である。なお、隔壁板（２２）は、必ずしも１つでなければならないものではなく複数設けてもよい。
隔壁板（２２）を１つだけ設ける場合は、ノズル（Ａ）の高さのほぼ２等分中間位置に水平に設けるのが好ましいが、それに限定するものではなく、例えば、展開部（６）と滞留部（７）の容積が、７：３になるような高さに設けてもよいし、水平ではなく勾配をつけてもよい。
該隔壁板（２２）は、必然的に同じ材質とするものではなく、異なる材質のもの、例えばアルミニウムなどでもよいが、通常側壁部（２１）と同じ材質とする。
また、該隔壁板（２２）と側壁部（２１）とは一体成形としてもよいし、溶接などによって接続するものでもよい。
【００２０】
隔壁板（２２）には、流量制御部である、１つまたは複数の貫通孔（２３）を設ける。
貫通孔（２３）の形状は、例えば、円形、楕円形、長方形などの形状でよいが、特に限定はなく、流動性食品材料（１）の粘度、流速等によって適宜変更可能なものである。貫通孔（２３）の大きさも、流動性食品材料（１）の粘度、流速等によって適宜変更してよい。また、貫通孔（２３）は、幅の調節可能なスリットとしてもよい。
また、貫通孔（２３）の隔壁板（２２）における配列は、１直線上に設けるものでも、あるいは、平行に複数線上に設けるものでもよいし、あるいは、ジグザグ状に交互に設けるものでもよい。貫通孔（２３）の隔壁板（２２）における配列も、粘性流動体の粘度、流速等によって適宜変更可能なものである。
さらに、隔壁板を複数設ける場合、すべての隔壁板（２２）において、同様の形状で、また、同様の配列で貫通孔（２３）を設けなければならないものではなく、隔壁板（２２）ごとに、貫通孔（２３）の形状、大きさ、配列を変更してもよい。
貫通孔（２３）の形状、大きさ、配列、個数等によって、展開部（６）から滞留部（７）に移送される流動性食品材料（１）の流量が制御されるのである。また、単に流量を制御させるという機能だけでなく、貫通孔（２３）の形状、大きさ、配列、個数等を流動性食品材料（１）の粘度等に合わせて適宜設定することで、滞留部（７）における流動性食品材料（１）の螺旋運動を抑制することも可能になる。
【００２１】
上述したノズル（Ａ）では、ノズル（Ａ）内に、展開部、滞留部、流量制御部、成形吐出部を設けたものとして示したが、ノズル（Ａ）内に必然的に、展開部、滞留部、流量制御部、成形吐出部を設けなければならないものではない。例えば、ノズルのような吐出装置ではなく、展開部と滞留部とを全く別個独立の容器状の箱体として設け、展開部と滞留部の箱体を、電磁流量計のような流量計である流量制御部を介して接続したものとしてもよい。要は、吐出装置内に送られてきた流動性食品材料が、螺旋運動をしながらそのまま吐出装置の成形吐出部に向かうことを防止できればよいのである。また、滞留部において螺旋運動を発生させない、あるいは、螺旋運動を抑制する機構をさらに設けることでもよく、例えば、滞留部に複数の障壁板を適宜設けるものでもよい。
【００２２】
図１から図３に示すノズル（Ａ）の具体的な構造を簡単に説明する。
概要としては、４つの長方形の側壁部（２１）で囲まれることによって上下両端部の開口したおよそ直方体構造である。ノズル（Ａ）の上面から見たときにおける長辺方向と、搬送装置の搬送面（８）の可動方向とは、ほぼ直角をなす。隔壁板（２２）は１つであり、側壁部（２１）の高さのほぼ２等分中間位置にほぼ水平に設けられる。従って、側壁部（２１）で囲まれた空間は、上側の展開部（６）と下側の滞留部（７）に分割される。側壁部（２１）の上面から見たときにおける短辺と平行な、ノズル（Ａ）の中間付近の断面形状、即ち、搬送面（８）の可動方向に対し平行な、ノズル（Ａ）の垂直断面形状は、略Ｈ型形状であり、ほぼ上下左右対称な形状となっている。
隔壁板（２２）には、貫通孔（２３）が複数設けられる。貫通孔（２３）の形状は、細長いほぼ長方形形状である。貫通孔（２３）の配列は、側壁部（２１）の長辺に平行に、側壁部（２１）の短辺のほぼ２等分中間位置に、１直線上に並ぶ。
【００２３】
流動性食品材料（１）をノズル（Ａ）の展開部（６）へ供給する方法は、展開部（６）の上部、即ち、ノズル（Ａ）の上側開口部に蓋（５）をして、展開部（６）の側壁部に注入口を設けて注入する方法でもよいし、該蓋（５）に設けた注入口から注入するようにしてもよい。ノズル（Ａ）の上側開口部に設けた蓋（５）は、ノズル（Ａ）の側壁部（２１）に溶接することなどによって完全に閉蓋するようにしてもよいし、あるいは、ノズル（Ａ）の側壁部（２１）の上端部（２８）に、例えば合成樹脂製のパッキンなどの緩衝材を付設して、この緩衝材に圧着する蓋（５）を設けることで、ノズル（Ａ）の上側開口部を閉蓋できるようにしてもよい。緩衝材の付設方法としては、上端部（２８）の中心部分に溝を設け、この溝に緩衝材を埋め込むようにしてもよいし、あるいは、上端部（２８）を緩衝材で被覆するようにしてもよく、その方法において特段の限定はなく、従来公知の方法でよい。また、蓋（５）と側壁部（２１）に適宜留め具を設けて、蓋（５）を固定させることが好ましい。このような構成とすることで、蓋（５）がノズル（Ａ）から脱着可能になる。
【００２４】
流動性食品材料（１）が、ノズル（Ａ）の上側の展開部（６）に注入されると、流動性食品材料（１）は、流動性食品材料（１）自体の重み、または／および、送液ポンプ（３）による圧力によって、貫通孔（２３）を通過して下側の滞留部（７）に向かう。供給タンク（２）から、流動性食品材料（１）の供給が続くと、展開部（６）と滞留部（７）は、流動性食品材料（１）で満たされる。
【００２５】
この段階に至り、ノズル（Ａ）の直下方に設置された搬送装置であるスチールコンベヤ（Ｂ）の搬送面（８）を所定方向に動かす。
ノズル（Ａ）の側壁部（２１）の下端部（２１ｂ）（２１ｃ）（２１ｄ）とスチールコンベヤ（Ｂ）の搬送面（８）との間隔は、隙間から流動性食品材料（１）が漏れ出さないために、ほとんど無いようにすることが要求される。一方、ノズル（Ａ）の側壁部（２１）の下端部（２１ｂ）（２１ｃ）（２１ｄ）とスチールコンベヤ（Ｂ）の搬送面（８）とを接触させると、摩擦抵抗による振動や発熱が、ノズル（Ａ）およびスチールコンベヤ（Ｂ）の搬送面（８）の両方に悪影響を及ぼすので、ノズル（Ａ）の側壁部（２１）の下端部（２１ｂ）（２１ｃ）（２１ｄ）とスチールコンベヤ（Ｂ）の搬送面（８）とを接触させることは避ける必要がある。
【００２６】
スチールコンベヤ（Ｂ）の搬送面（８）を所定方向に動かすと、成形吐出部であるノズル（Ａ）の下側開口部から搬送面（８）に接触した流動性食品材料（１）は、流動性食品材料（１）自体の粘性によって、搬送面（８）に張り付くようにして、搬送面（８）の進行方向側の長辺である側壁部（２１）の下端部（２１ａ）からノズル（Ａ）外に引き出されて吐出する。搬送面（８）の運動は、流動性食品材料（１）の粘度、送液ポンプ（３）の圧力等に応じて適切な速度に保たれる。
また、必ずしも搬送装置であるスチールコンベヤ（Ｂ）の搬送面（８）に直接接触させることを要するものではなく、下記特許文献１に示されているように、既に、板状に成形されている板状食品の表面上に流動性食品材料（１）を吐出するようにしてもよい。このようにすることによって、複層の層状食品の製造が可能になる。
【特許文献１】
特開２００２−８５０４２
【００２７】
ノズル（Ａ）からスチールコンベヤ（Ｂ）の搬送面（８）に板状に吐出された流動性食品材料（１）は、搬送されながら熱処理装置（９）によって加熱または冷却されて固化し、板状食品となる。熱処理方法としては、冷却の場合には、冷却水・ブラインなどの冷媒を、搬送面（８）の裏側から噴霧したり、あるいは、接触流動させたりしてもよいし、加熱の場合には、電熱ヒーターなどで、搬送面（８）または流動性食品材料（１）を加熱するようにしてもよい。熱処理装置（９）の設置位置は特段の限定はなく、搬送装置とは全く別個独立に設けてよいし、スチールコンベヤ（Ｂ）を取り囲むような箱体を設けてその内部に設置してもよいし、あるいは、スチールコンベヤ（ｂ）の内部において、搬送面（８）の下部に設けてもよい。
板状食品は、そのままスチールコンベヤ（Ｂ）で切断装置（１０）に運ばれ、適宜切断される。
【００２８】
搬送装置は、スチールコンベヤ（Ｂ）に限らず、例えば回転ドラム（Ｃ）でもよい。図６にその実施形態例を示す。搬送装置がスチールコンベヤ（Ｂ）の場合に比較して、ノズル（Ａ）や熱処理装置（９）の設置位置など基本的な構成で格別の差異はないが、薄板状食品の製造装置を鉛直方向に設置できるので、省スペース化に資する利点がある。回転ドラム（Ｃ）の搬送面（８）に吐出された流動性食品材料（１）は、熱処理装置（９）で加熱または冷却されながら、回転搬送されるのである。
回転ドラム（Ｃ）の個数は、２つに限定するものではなく、１つでも、あるいは、３つ以上でもよく、さらには、回転ドラム（Ｃ）とスチールコンベヤ（Ｂ）を適宜組み合わせた搬送装置としてもよい。また、２つ以上の回転ドラム（Ｃ）を組み合わせる場合などは、薄板状食品を順次回転ドラム（Ｃ）に乗り移させるために、スクレイパー（１１）で、回転ドラム（Ｃ）から薄板状食品を剥離させるようにしてもよい。
【００２９】
【実施例】
発明者らは、搬送装置として回転ドラム（Ｃ）を、吐出装置として上述した図１から図３に示すノズル（Ａ）を用いて、薄板状食品の製造を試みた。流動性食品材料（１）としては、チーズ（配合割合：ゴーダチーズ９２．０％、ポリリン酸ナトリウム２．０％、重曹０．５％、水５．５％）を用いた。ノズル（Ａ）の幅寸法、即ち、回転ドラム（Ｃ）の回転方向とは垂直方向の寸法は１８００ｍｍ、ノズル（Ａ）の奥行き寸法、即ち、回転ドラム（Ｃ）の回転方向の寸法は１５０ｍｍ、ノズル（Ａ）の高さ寸法は２００ｍｍとした。また、ノズル（Ａ）の高さのほぼ２等分中間位置に、隔壁板（２２）を１つ設けた。ノズル（Ａ）の側壁部（２１）と隔壁板（２２）は一体成形した。隔壁板（２２）には、貫通孔（２３）として長さ８００ｍｍ、幅５．０ｍｍのスリットを、ノズル（Ａ）の奥行きのほぼ２等分中間位置に、ノズル（Ａ）の幅方向に直列等間隔に２つ設けた。流動性食品材料（１）が引き出される側の側壁部（２１）の下端部（２１ａ）と搬送装置の搬送面（８）との高さは３．０ｍｍとした。熱処理装置（９）は、回転ドラム（Ｃ）の内側に組み込み、冷媒は−６℃のブラインとした。
【００３０】
チーズは、乳化釜を用いて８５℃に加温して乳化した。このときの粘度は、３０Ｐａ．ｓであった。乳化したチーズの流量が、６００ｋｇ／ｈｒとなるように送液ポンプ（３）の圧力を調整し、ノズル（Ａ）に送り込んだ。また、回転ドラム（Ｃ）の回転速度を、ノズル（Ａ）から引き出されたチーズの厚さが３．０ｍｍ程度になるように適宜調整した。この結果、形成された薄板状食品（プロセスチーズ）の大きさは、幅が１７００ｍｍ、厚さが３．０ｍｍとなり、厚さの分布を±０．１ｍｍという従来ではなしえなかった高精度で成形することを実現した。
【００３１】
【発明の効果】
請求項１に記載の製造方法、または、請求項１に記載の製造方法を実施する請求項２に記載の製造装置によると、流動性食品材料を、展開部と滞留部の２部構成であり、展開部から滞留部へ移送される流動性食品材料の流量を制御可能な流量制御部を備える吐出装置を通過させることになるので、吐出装置に供給された流動性食品材料の吐出装置内における螺旋運動が、そのまま吐出装置の成形吐出部に向かうことを防止できる。即ち、吐出装置内において流動性食品材料が螺旋運動をすることによって、吐出装置内における流動性食品材料の不均一な温度分布が生じるとともに、流動性食品材料の粘度分布も不均一になることで、吐出装置の幅方向において吐出圧を均一にしたとしても、吐出量に不均一な分布が生じるという不都合が解消され、薄く且つ略一定の厚さである薄板状食品の製造が可能になる。
【００３２】
請求項３によると、展開部、滞留部、流量制御部、成形吐出部を一体的に備えた簡潔な構造の吐出装置となるので、薄板状食品の製造装置からの分離が容易になる。また、流動性食品材料を取り扱うので定期的な洗浄が必要となるが、簡潔な構造であるので、容易に洗浄することが可能である。
【００３３】
請求項４によると、展開部、滞留部、流量制御部、成形吐出部を一体的に備えた吐出装置を対称構造とすることで、流動性食品材料の温度による熱応力変形を防止できる。即ち、対称構造とすることで、側壁部や隔壁板などの各部材に働く相反方向の熱応力による変形を相殺することが可能になり、さらに、構造それ自体で熱応力変形を抑止するため、比較的熱膨張率の大きい安価な金属、例えば、従来の吐出装置であるノズルに用いられているステンレス鋼などを利用できる。
【００３４】
請求項５によると、蓋と吐出装置を一体成形としないことで、吐出装置の洗浄性を向上させることができる。また、とくに、対称構造である吐出装置においては、蓋を吐出装置とは独立させて設けることで、吐出装置の対称構造を維持できるという利点がある。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】吐出装置の一例であるノズルの平面図
【図２】吐出装置の一例であるノズルの正面図
【図３】吐出装置の一例であるノズルの垂直断面図
【図４（イ）】吐出装置であるノズルの垂直断面図の一例
【図４（ロ）】吐出装置であるノズルの垂直断面図の一例
【図４（ハ）】吐出装置であるノズルの垂直断面図の一例
【図５】搬送装置にスチールコンベヤを、吐出装置に図１から図３に示すノズルを用いた場合の、薄板状食品を製造する工程を示す説明図
【図６】搬送装置に回転ドラムを、吐出装置に図１から図３に示すノズルを用いた場合の、薄板状食品を製造する工程を示す説明図
【符号の説明】
Ａノズル
Ｂスチールコンベヤ
Ｃ回転ドラム
１流動性食品材料
２供給タンク
３送液ポンプ
４流量計
５蓋
６展開部
７滞留部
８搬送面
９熱処理装置
２１側壁部
２２隔壁板
２３貫通孔
２８側壁部の上端部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a thin plate-like food and an apparatus therefor by forming a fluid food material having a property of solidifying by heating or cooling into a plate shape.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Examples of foods obtained by forming a fluid food material having a property of solidifying by heating or cooling into a plate shape include cheese, rice cake, and rice cake. These food products are usually made fluid by adding heat treatment to the food material and blending treatment of moisture, etc., and this is pumped to a general discharge device such as a nozzle with a pump or a piston. In addition, the sheet is discharged while being formed into a plate with a predetermined thickness, and in addition, the discharged plate-like fluid food material is subjected to heat treatment by heating or cooling.
[0003]
In the production of plate food products as described above, if the size of the flowable food material discharged in a plate shape is about 10 mm or more in thickness and about 500 mm or less in width, the thickness is almost uniform. It was possible to manufacture. However, if it is not such a size, particularly when the thickness is 5 mm or less and the width is 500 mm or more, it is very difficult to discharge and shape the fluid food material in a plate shape with a uniform thickness. It was.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Accordingly, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for producing a thin plate food by discharging and molding a fluid food material having a property of solidifying by heating or cooling to a thin and constant thickness. Let it be an issue.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present inventors have examined in detail the cause of the above difficulties by computer simulation of thermal fluid motion. As a result, the following knowledge was obtained. When forming a flowable food material into a thin plate by providing a nozzle above the conveyance surface of a conventional discharge device, for example, a conveyance device having a cooling capacity, the width of the conveyance surface of the conveyance device is approximately the same or less at the bottom. In a box-shaped nozzle having a relatively wide opening as a discharge port, it is difficult to discharge the flowable food material at a substantially constant thickness. (1) The flowable food material is transported in the nozzle. The cooling food is gradually cooled by a spiral movement in the direction perpendicular to the width direction of the apparatus, that is, the traveling direction of the conveying surface of the conveying apparatus, and the fluid food material is unevenly distributed in the width direction of the conveying apparatus in the nozzle. As temperature distribution occurs, the viscosity distribution of the flowable food material becomes non-uniform. Therefore, even if the discharge pressure is made uniform in the width direction of the nozzle, non-uniform distribution occurs in the discharge amount, and (2) thermal stress deformation occurs in the nozzle based on the non-uniform temperature distribution of the flowable food material. It turns out that this is the main cause.
[0006]
Therefore, the present invention uses the following means in order to solve the above problems.
That is, a fluid food material having a property of solidifying by heating or cooling is continuously ejected in a plate shape onto a transport surface of a transport device movable at a predetermined speed, and further transported while the transport device or / and The fluid food material discharged onto the conveying surface of the conveying device, On the transport device or / and on the transport surface of the transport device On heating or cooling More solidified In a method for producing a plate-like food, a flowable food material is added. , Carrying An unfolding step of unfolding the flowable food material in a width direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the transport surface of the feeding device; A staying step for temporarily storing the flowable food material transferred from the unfolding step, and the unfolding step between the unfolding step and the staying step. A flow rate control process that suppresses the spiral motion of the fluid food material by regulating while maintaining, The fluid food material that has undergone the retention process is contacted in a planar manner on the transport surface of the transport device. And let the fluid food material in contact with the transport surface solidify, By passing a molding and discharging step of discharging while continuously forming a plate shape, the fluid food material is continuously formed into a plate shape with a thin and substantially constant thickness on the transfer surface of the transfer device. It is set as the manufacturing method of the thin sheet food characterized.
In this method, it is important that the fluid food material discharged on the transport surface of the transport device is not subjected to the spiral motion as described in the above item (1). This spiral motion is generated as a result of both the flow of the fluid food material in the width direction of the transport device and the movement of the transport surface of the transport device being applied to the fluid food material. Therefore, in this method, the flow in the width direction of the conveying device is not in contact with the conveying device so that these two effects are not simultaneously applied to the flowable food material, and the effect of movement of the conveying surface of the conveying device is also achieved. Is eliminated in the residence process. As a result, the flowable food material having a uniform temperature distribution flows into the staying process, and the flowable food material that has flowed in the staying process makes a circular motion instead of a spiral motion and moves in the width direction of the conveying device. Therefore, non-uniform temperature distribution in the width direction of the transfer device is not generated in the staying process. Therefore, since the non-uniform distribution of viscosity does not occur, the fluid food material can be uniformly discharged and molded. In this way, by allowing the developing process and the staying process to pass, it is possible to prevent the fluid food material from generating a spiral motion in the width direction of the conveying device.
[0007]
And as a device for carrying out the above production method, in a plate-like food production device for forming a fluid food material having the property of solidifying by heating or cooling into a plate shape The flow A supply device for supplying mobile food ingredients; , Carrying An unfolding section that unfolds the fluid food material in a width direction that is perpendicular to the transport direction of the transport surface of the feeder; Said A retention part for temporarily storing the fluid food material transferred from the development part; A flow rate control unit that separates the spreading part and the staying part and regulates the flow rate of the fluid food material between the two parts while maintaining the development in the width direction; The above By bringing the fluid food material temporarily stored in the stay part into contact with the surface of the transport surface of the transport device, Solidify the fluid food material in contact with the transport surface, A molding discharge section for continuous discharge while forming a plate with a predetermined thickness; Be equipped A discharge device, a transfer device having a transfer surface capable of transferring the fluid food material discharged from the discharge device, and the transfer device and / or the flowable food discharged onto the transfer surface of the transfer device The material consists of heat treatment equipment that can heat or cool, In the discharge device, a molding discharge part is provided at the bottom of the stay part. It is set as the manufacturing apparatus of the thin plate-shaped foodstuff characterized by these.
[0008]
In particular, the discharge device divides a substantially rectangular side wall portion and an internal space surrounded by the side wall portion into a development portion that is an upper partial space and a retention portion that is a lower partial space. At least one partition plate, and by providing one or a plurality of through holes in the partition plate, the development portion and the stay portion are communicated with each other, and the lower opening formed at the lower end portion of the side wall portion is formed. It is good also as a manufacturing apparatus of the thin plate-shaped foodstuff which is the structure used as the discharge part.
[0009]
The discharge device may have a vertical cross-sectional shape that is substantially bilaterally symmetrical and / or substantially vertical. By adopting such a shape, there is an effect of reducing non-uniform thermal stress deformation of the molded discharge portion when the discharge device is heated.
[0010]
Furthermore, the discharge device is provided with a cushioning material at the upper end portion of the side wall portion and includes a lid that can be crimped to the cushioning material, so that an upper opening formed at the upper end portion of the side wall portion is formed. It is good also as a structure which enabled lid closure.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples shown in the drawings, but the following specific examples do not limit the present invention. The embodiment can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a nozzle that is an example of a discharge device, FIG. 2 is a front view of a nozzle that is an example of a discharge device, and FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a nozzle that is an example of a discharge device. 4 (a) shows an example of a vertical sectional view of a nozzle as a discharge device, FIG. 4 (b) shows an example of a vertical sectional view of a nozzle as a discharge device, and FIG. 4 (c) shows the discharge device. An example of a vertical cross-sectional view of the nozzle, FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a process for producing a thin plate food when a steel conveyor is used as a transport device and a nozzle shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is used as a discharge device. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a process for producing a thin plate food when a rotating drum is used as the transport device and the nozzle shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is used as the discharge device.
[0012]
The manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus of the thin plate food which are this invention are demonstrated according to the order in which fluid food material is transferred.
[0013]
The fluid food material (1) appropriately prepared is made into a fluid state by heating, hydration or the like and stored in the supply tank (2). The property required of the food material (1) in a fluid state is at least an appropriate viscosity that can be discharged in a plate shape and solidification by gelation or plasticization when heated or cooled. Examples of food materials having such characteristics include dairy products such as cheese and butter, gel-like products such as margarine, starch and jelly, and paste products such as salmon and fish surimi. Of course, it is not limited to the food materials listed as examples, and any material other than food materials, such as synthetic resins, can be used as long as it becomes fluidized by heating, hydration, kneading and the like and solidifies when heated or cooled.
[0014]
The fluid food material (1) is usually pumped to the nozzle (A) which is a discharge device by a liquid feed pump (3). In order to keep the supply amount to the nozzle (A) constant, the liquid feed pump (3) is preferably a quantitative pump such as a constant displacement pump or a rotary pump. Further, when higher liquid feeding accuracy is required, a flow meter (4) such as an electromagnetic flow meter is installed downstream of the liquid feeding pump (3), and measurement is performed by the flow meter (4). Control may be made so that a desired flow rate is obtained by feeding back the flow rate information to the liquid feed pump (3).
[0015]
The fluid food material (1) pumped to the nozzle (A) is first supplied to the development part (6) of the nozzle (A). The developing part (6) is a direction perpendicular to the movable direction of the transport surface (8) of the transport device installed at the lower part of the nozzle (A), with the fluid food material (1) fed into the nozzle (A). It is a space part for expanding in the width direction.
[0016]
Here, the structure of the nozzle (A) will be described. The nozzle (A) described here is premised on a box-shaped nozzle having a substantially square side wall portion, but is not necessarily a box-shaped nozzle. For example, FIG. A nozzle such as a bell type, a pyramid type, or a conical type whose vertical cross-sectional view is shown in (c) may be used, and can be appropriately changed depending on the type, flow rate, viscosity, etc. of the fluid food material.
[0017]
The nozzle (A) has a shape having at least four substantially square side wall portions (21). In general, the nozzle (A) is preferably an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape having at least a large opening at its lower end so as to be suitable for forming a plate-like food, but is not limited to such a shape. For example, it may have a substantially cubic shape with the lower end opened. That is, the lower opening, which is the lower end of the nozzle (A), is a molded discharge part that discharges the fluid food material (1) in a plate shape. It is preferable that the opening is large so as to be suitable for discharge. For example, it is preferable that the opening is only surrounded by at least four side walls (21). However, depending on the viscosity, flow rate, etc. of the fluid food material (1), for example, an appropriate funnel-shaped restrictor may be used. May be provided.
The side wall (21) may be integrally formed, or a plurality of members connected by welding or the like.
Moreover, the material of the side wall part (21) may be used for a conventional nozzle, and may be, for example, carbon steel or stainless steel.
[0018]
As described above, the lower opening of the nozzle (A) is a molded discharge portion that discharges the fluid food material (1). However, in the method for producing a thin plate food according to the present invention, the fluid food material (1). Is pulled out to the outside of the nozzle (A) while being in contact with the transport surface (8) of the transport device, so that the lower end (21a) of the side wall (21) from which the fluid food material (1) is pulled out is It is located above the lower end portions (21b) (21c) (21d) of the other side wall portions (21). That is, from the step between the lower end (21a) of the side wall (21) on the side from which the fluid food material (1) is drawn and the lower end (21b) (21c) (21d) of the other side wall (21), The fluid food material (1) is drawn out of the nozzle (A). In addition, a shutter is provided in the lower end part (21a) of the side wall part (21) on the side from which the fluid food material (1) is drawn, and the side wall part (21) on the side from which the fluid food material (1) is drawn out. You may make it change the height of the level | step difference of a lower end part (21a) and the lower end part (21b) (21c) (21d) of another side wall part.
In particular, the lower end portion (21a) of the side wall portion (21) on the side from which the fluid food material (1) is drawn is processed to provide an appropriate gradient so that the fluid food material (1) can be easily discharged. It is preferable to apply. Furthermore, the flowable food in which the height of the lower end (21a) of the side wall (21) on the side from which the flowable food material (1) is drawn and the transport surface (8) of the transport device is discharged in a substantially plate shape. The height of the material (1), that is, the height (thinness) of the plate-like food (actually, the fluid food material (1 ) From which the lower end (21a) of the side wall (21) on the side from which it is pulled out and the conveying surface (8) of the conveying device, and the flowable food material (1) molded into a plate shape on the conveying surface (8). There is a slight error between the height of the nozzle and the nozzle (A) installation position must be adjusted in consideration of this error, and the moving speed of the transfer surface (8) of the transfer device is also adjusted accordingly. Therefore, the lower end (21a) of the side wall (21) on the side from which the fluid food material (1) is drawn out. Is being surface processed to have a plane with high accuracy is preferable.
[0019]
The internal space surrounded by the side wall portion (21) is divided into two space portions, that is, an upper development portion (6) and a lower retention portion (7) by providing one partition plate (22). . The developing part (6) is a direction perpendicular to the movable direction of the transport surface (8) of the transport device installed at the lower part of the nozzle (A), with the fluid food material (1) fed into the nozzle (A). It is a space part for developing in the width direction, and the staying part (7) is temporarily until the fluid food material (1) transferred from the developing part (6) is discharged from the molding discharge part. It is a space part to store. The number of partition plates (22) is not necessarily one, and a plurality of partition plates (22) may be provided.
In the case where only one partition plate (22) is provided, it is preferably provided horizontally at approximately half the height of the nozzle (A). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the developing portion (6) And the volume of the retention part (7) may be provided at such a height as to be 7: 3, or may be provided with a gradient instead of being horizontal.
The partition plate (22) is not necessarily made of the same material, but may be made of a different material such as aluminum, but is usually made of the same material as the side wall (21).
Further, the partition plate (22) and the side wall portion (21) may be integrally formed, or may be connected by welding or the like.
[0020]
The partition plate (22) is provided with one or a plurality of through holes (23) which are flow rate control units.
The shape of the through hole (23) may be, for example, a shape such as a circle, an ellipse, or a rectangle, but is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately changed depending on the viscosity, flow rate, and the like of the fluid food material (1). You may change suitably the magnitude | size of a through-hole (23) with the viscosity, flow rate, etc. of fluid food material (1). The through hole (23) may be a slit whose width can be adjusted.
Further, the arrangement of the through holes (23) in the partition plate (22) may be provided on one straight line, may be provided on a plurality of lines in parallel, or may be provided alternately in a zigzag shape. The arrangement of the through holes (23) in the partition plate (22) can also be changed as appropriate depending on the viscosity, the flow rate, and the like of the viscous fluid.
Furthermore, when providing a plurality of partition plates, it is not necessary to provide the through holes (23) in the same shape and in the same arrangement in all the partition plates (22), but for each partition plate (22). The shape, size, and arrangement of the through holes (23) may be changed.
The flow rate of the flowable food material (1) transferred from the development part (6) to the staying part (7) is controlled by the shape, size, arrangement, number, etc. of the through holes (23). In addition to the function of simply controlling the flow rate, the shape, size, arrangement, number, etc., of the through holes (23) are appropriately set in accordance with the viscosity of the fluid food material (1), so that the retention portion It also becomes possible to suppress the spiral motion of the fluid food material (1) in (7).
[0021]
In the nozzle (A) described above, the development portion, the retention portion, the flow rate control portion, and the molding discharge portion are shown to be provided in the nozzle (A), but the development portion, It is not necessary to provide a staying part, a flow rate control part, and a molding discharge part. For example, instead of a discharge device such as a nozzle, the developing portion and the staying portion are provided as completely separate container-like boxes, and the box of the developing portion and the staying portion is a flow meter such as an electromagnetic flow meter. It is good also as what was connected via the flow control part. In short, it is only necessary that the flowable food material sent into the discharge device can be prevented from going directly to the forming discharge portion of the discharge device while performing a spiral motion. Further, a mechanism that does not generate a spiral motion in the staying portion or that suppresses the spiral motion may be further provided. For example, a plurality of barrier plates may be appropriately provided in the staying portion.
[0022]
A specific structure of the nozzle (A) shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 will be briefly described.
As an outline, it is an approximately rectangular parallelepiped structure in which both upper and lower end portions are opened by being surrounded by four rectangular side wall portions (21). The long side direction when viewed from the upper surface of the nozzle (A) and the movable direction of the transport surface (8) of the transport device are substantially perpendicular. There is one partition plate (22), and the partition plate (22) is provided substantially horizontally at a position approximately half the height of the side wall (21). Therefore, the space surrounded by the side wall part (21) is divided into an upper development part (6) and a lower retention part (7). The cross-sectional shape in the vicinity of the middle of the nozzle (A) parallel to the short side when viewed from the upper surface of the side wall (21), that is, the nozzle (A) perpendicular to the moving direction of the transport surface (8). The cross-sectional shape is a substantially H shape, and is a shape that is substantially symmetrical vertically and horizontally.
The partition plate (22) is provided with a plurality of through holes (23). The shape of the through hole (23) is an elongated, substantially rectangular shape. The arrangement of the through holes (23) is arranged in a straight line in parallel with the long side of the side wall (21) and at approximately half the middle position of the short side of the side wall (21).
[0023]
The method for supplying the flowable food material (1) to the developing part (6) of the nozzle (A) is to cover the upper part of the developing part (6), that is, the upper opening of the nozzle (A). Alternatively, the injection may be performed by providing an injection port on the side wall portion of the development portion (6), or the injection may be performed from the injection port provided on the lid (5). The lid (5) provided in the upper opening of the nozzle (A) may be completely closed by welding to the side wall (21) of the nozzle (A) or the nozzle (A ) Is attached to the upper end portion (28) of the side wall portion (21), and a lid (5) that is crimped to the cushioning material is provided, for example, so that the nozzle (A) You may enable it to close an upper side opening part. As a method of attaching the cushioning material, a groove may be provided in the central portion of the upper end portion (28) and the cushioning material may be embedded in the groove, or the upper end portion (28) may be covered with the cushioning material. There is no particular limitation on the method, and a conventionally known method may be used. Moreover, it is preferable to fix a lid | cover (5) by providing a fastener suitably in a lid | cover (5) and a side wall part (21). With such a configuration, the lid (5) can be detached from the nozzle (A).
[0024]
When the flowable food material (1) is injected into the development (6) on the upper side of the nozzle (A), the flowable food material (1) becomes the weight of the flowable food material (1) itself, and / or By the pressure by the liquid feed pump (3), it passes through the through hole (23) and moves toward the lower staying portion (7). When the supply of the fluid food material (1) from the supply tank (2) continues, the development part (6) and the stay part (7) are filled with the fluid food material (1).
[0025]
At this stage, the transport surface (8) of the steel conveyor (B), which is a transport device installed immediately below the nozzle (A), is moved in a predetermined direction.
The distance between the lower end (21b) (21c) (21d) of the side wall (21) of the nozzle (A) and the conveying surface (8) of the steel conveyor (B) is such that the fluid food material (1) leaks from the gap. In order not to put out, it is required that there is almost no. On the other hand, when the lower end (21b) (21c) (21d) of the side wall (21) of the nozzle (A) is brought into contact with the transport surface (8) of the steel conveyor (B), vibration and heat generation due to frictional resistance are caused. Since both the nozzle (A) and the conveying surface (8) of the steel conveyor (B) are adversely affected, the lower ends (21b) (21c) (21d) of the side wall (21) of the nozzle (A) and the steel conveyor ( It is necessary to avoid contact with the conveying surface (8) of B).
[0026]
When the transport surface (8) of the steel conveyor (B) is moved in a predetermined direction, the flowable food material (1) in contact with the transport surface (8) from the lower opening of the nozzle (A) which is a molding discharge unit is: From the lower end part (21a) of the side wall part (21), which is the long side of the transport surface (8) in the traveling direction, the nozzle sticks to the transport surface (8) due to the viscosity of the fluid food material (1) itself. (A) It is drawn out and discharged. The movement of the conveying surface (8) is maintained at an appropriate speed according to the viscosity of the fluid food material (1), the pressure of the liquid feeding pump (3), and the like.
Moreover, it is not necessarily required to be brought into direct contact with the conveying surface (8) of the steel conveyor (B) that is a conveying device, and is already formed into a plate shape as shown in Patent Document 1 below. The fluid food material (1) may be discharged onto the surface of the plate food. By doing so, it becomes possible to produce a multi-layered layered food.
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-85042 A
[0027]
The fluid food material (1) discharged in a plate shape from the nozzle (A) to the transport surface (8) of the steel conveyor (B) is solidified by being heated or cooled by the heat treatment device (9) while being transported. Food. As a heat treatment method, in the case of cooling, a coolant such as cooling water or brine may be sprayed from the back side of the transport surface (8) or contacted and flowed. In the case of heating, You may make it heat a conveyance surface (8) or fluid food material (1) with an electric heater. The installation position of the heat treatment apparatus (9) is not particularly limited, and may be provided completely independently of the transfer apparatus, or may be installed inside a box body surrounding the steel conveyor (B). Or you may provide in the lower part of a conveyance surface (8) inside a steel conveyor (b).
The plate-like food is directly carried to the cutting device (10) by the steel conveyor (B) and cut as appropriate.
[0028]
The conveying device is not limited to the steel conveyor (B), and may be a rotating drum (C), for example. FIG. 6 shows an example of the embodiment. Compared to the case where the transport device is a steel conveyor (B), there is no particular difference in the basic configuration such as the installation position of the nozzle (A) and the heat treatment device (9), but the apparatus for producing thin plate food is in the vertical direction. Since it can be installed in a space, there is an advantage that contributes to space saving. The fluid food material (1) discharged to the conveying surface (8) of the rotating drum (C) is rotated and conveyed while being heated or cooled by the heat treatment device (9).
The number of rotating drums (C) is not limited to two, but may be one, or three or more, and further, a conveying device appropriately combining the rotating drum (C) and the steel conveyor (B). It is good. When two or more rotating drums (C) are combined, the scraper (11) is used to transfer the thin plate-like food from the rotating drum (C) to sequentially transfer the thin plate-like food to the rotating drum (C). You may make it peel.
[0029]
【Example】
The inventors tried to manufacture a thin plate food by using the rotating drum (C) as the transport device and the nozzle (A) shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 as the discharge device. As the fluid food material (1), cheese (mixing ratio: Gouda cheese 92.0%, sodium polyphosphate 2.0%, sodium bicarbonate 0.5%, water 5.5%) was used. The width dimension of the nozzle (A), that is, the dimension perpendicular to the rotating direction of the rotating drum (C) is 1800 mm, the depth dimension of the nozzle (A), that is, the rotating direction dimension of the rotating drum (C) is 150 mm, The height dimension of the nozzle (A) was 200 mm. In addition, one partition plate (22) was provided at a position approximately half the height of the nozzle (A). The side wall (21) of the nozzle (A) and the partition plate (22) were integrally formed. In the partition plate (22), a slit having a length of 800 mm and a width of 5.0 mm as a through-hole (23) is arranged in series in the width direction of the nozzle (A) at approximately half the middle of the depth of the nozzle (A). Two were provided at equal intervals. The height of the lower end part (21a) of the side wall part (21) on the side from which the fluid food material (1) is drawn out and the conveying surface (8) of the conveying device were set to 3.0 mm. The heat treatment apparatus (9) was incorporated inside the rotating drum (C), and the refrigerant was brine of −6 ° C.
[0030]
The cheese was emulsified by heating to 85 ° C. using an emulsifier. The viscosity at this time is 30 Pa.s. s. The pressure of the liquid feed pump (3) was adjusted so that the flow rate of the emulsified cheese was 600 kg / hr, and the cheese was fed into the nozzle (A). Moreover, the rotational speed of the rotating drum (C) was appropriately adjusted so that the thickness of the cheese drawn from the nozzle (A) was about 3.0 mm. As a result, the size of the formed thin plate food (process cheese) is 1700 mm in width and 3.0 mm in thickness, and the thickness distribution is formed with high accuracy of ± 0.1 mm, which could not be achieved in the past. Realized to do.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
According to the manufacturing method according to claim 1 or the manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, which implements the manufacturing method according to claim 1, the flowable food material has a two-part configuration of a developing part and a staying part. In the discharge device for the flowable food material supplied to the discharge device, the discharge device is provided with a flow rate control unit capable of controlling the flow rate of the flowable food material transferred from the developing unit to the staying unit. It is possible to prevent the spiral motion from going directly to the molding discharge portion of the discharge device. In other words, the spiral movement of the flowable food material in the discharge device causes a non-uniform temperature distribution of the flowable food material in the discharge device and also a non-uniform viscosity distribution of the flowable food material. Even if the discharge pressure is made uniform in the width direction of the discharge device, the inconvenience of non-uniform distribution in the discharge amount is eliminated, and it is possible to manufacture a thin plate-like food having a substantially constant thickness.
[0032]
According to the third aspect, since the discharge device has a simple structure integrally including the developing portion, the retention portion, the flow rate control portion, and the molding discharge portion, it is easy to separate the thin plate food from the manufacturing apparatus. Further, since the fluid food material is handled, regular cleaning is required, but since it has a simple structure, it can be easily cleaned.
[0033]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the thermal stress deformation due to the temperature of the fluid food material by providing the discharge device integrally provided with the developing portion, the stay portion, the flow rate control portion, and the molding discharge portion in a symmetrical structure. That is, by using a symmetrical structure, it becomes possible to cancel the deformation due to the thermal stress in the opposite direction acting on each member such as the side wall part and the partition plate, and further, to suppress the thermal stress deformation by the structure itself, An inexpensive metal having a relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion, for example, stainless steel used for a nozzle which is a conventional discharge device can be used.
[0034]
According to the fifth aspect, by not integrally forming the lid and the discharge device, it is possible to improve the cleaning properties of the discharge device. In particular, the discharge device having a symmetrical structure has an advantage that the symmetrical structure of the discharge device can be maintained by providing the lid independently of the discharge device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a nozzle as an example of a discharge device
FIG. 2 is a front view of a nozzle that is an example of a discharge device.
FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a nozzle as an example of a discharge device.
FIG. 4 (a) is an example of a vertical sectional view of a nozzle which is a discharge device.
FIG. 4B is an example of a vertical sectional view of a nozzle that is a discharge device.
FIG. 4 (C) is an example of a vertical sectional view of a nozzle which is a discharge device.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a process for producing a thin plate food when a steel conveyor is used as a transport device and the nozzle shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is used as a discharge device.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a process for producing a thin plate food when a rotating drum is used as a transport device and a nozzle shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is used as a discharge device.
[Explanation of symbols]
A Nozzle
B Steel conveyor
C Rotating drum
1 Flowable food materials
2 Supply tank
3 Liquid feed pump
4 Flow meter
5 lid
6 Development Department
7 Retention part
8 Transport surface
9 Heat treatment equipment
21 Side wall
22 Bulkhead plate
23 Through hole
28 Upper end of side wall

Claims

A fluid food material having a property of solidifying by heating or cooling is placed on the transport surface of a transport device movable at a predetermined speed.
While the sheet is continuously discharged and further conveyed, the fluid food material discharged onto the conveying surface of the conveying device or / and the conveying device is transferred onto the conveying device or / and the conveying surface of the conveying device. in in a method of manufacturing a plate-like food by more solidified by heating or cooling,
The flowable food material, the movable direction of the conveying surface of the conveyance device to the width direction is vertical, the development process of developing flowable food material,
A residence step for temporarily storing the fluid food material transferred from the development step;
A flow rate control step that is provided between the spreading step and the staying step, and that controls the flow rate of the flowable food material between the two steps while maintaining the spread in the width direction, thereby suppressing the spiral movement of the flowable food material. When,
Molding that allows the fluid food material that has passed through the retention process to contact the transport surface of the transport device in a planar shape, solidifies the fluid food material in contact with the transport surface, and then discharges it while continuously forming it into a plate shape. A method for producing a thin plate-like food, characterized in that the flowable food material is continuously formed into a thin plate with a substantially constant thickness on the transport surface of the transport device by passing through the discharging step.

In a plate-like food manufacturing apparatus for forming a fluid food material having the property of solidifying by heating or cooling into a plate shape,
A supply device for supplying liquidity food material,
To conveyance device width direction to the conveying direction of the conveying surface which is vertical, and a development unit for developing flowable food material,
A retention part for temporarily storing the fluid food material transferred from the development part;
A flow rate control unit that separates the spreading part and the staying part and regulates the flow rate of the fluid food material between the two parts while maintaining the development in the width direction; ,
The fluid food material temporarily stored in the staying portion is brought into contact with the transport surface of the transport device in a planar shape, so that the fluid food material in contact with the transport surface is solidified and a plate having a predetermined thickness is obtained. a discharge apparatus example Bei and forming discharge unit for continuous discharge with molded Jo,
A transport apparatus having a transport surface capable of transporting the fluid food material discharged from the discharge apparatus;
The conveying device, or / and the flowable food material discharged on the conveying surface of the conveying device comprises a heat treatment device capable of heating or cooling,
An apparatus for producing a thin plate-like food, wherein a molding discharge part is provided at the bottom of the stay part in the discharge apparatus.

The discharge device is
A substantially rectangular side wall,
At least one partition plate that divides the internal space surrounded by the side wall portion into a development portion that is an upper partial space and a retention portion that is a lower partial space,
By providing one or a plurality of through holes in the partition plate, the developing part and the staying part are communicated,
The apparatus for producing a thin plate-like food according to claim 2, wherein the lower opening formed at the lower end of the side wall is a molded discharge part.

The discharge device is
The apparatus for producing a thin plate-like food product according to claim 3, having a vertical cross-sectional shape that is substantially bilaterally symmetrical and / or substantially vertical.

The discharge device is
A cushioning material is attached to the upper end portion of the side wall portion, and the upper opening formed at the upper end portion of the side wall portion can be closed by providing a lid that can be crimped to the cushioning material. The manufacturing apparatus of the thin plate-shaped foodstuff of Claim 3 or 4.