JP6889888B2 - Continuous molding device for tofu - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a continuous molding apparatus for tofu.

In the production of classical tofu, tofu was molded by putting a rag-shaped soymilk coagulant in a wooden mold box and squeezing the soymilk coagulant through a cotton cloth. Although the wooden box had a problem in terms of hygiene, it had good heat retention and less heat dissipation during molding, so elastic and delicious tofu (cotton tofu) was produced. However, in modern tofu manufacturing equipment, the use of mold boxes made of thin plates such as stainless steel and aluminum has become the mainstream due to hygienic requirements. In recent years, a continuous molding apparatus such as a plate conveyor type has been used (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2), and a filter cloth belt made of resin monofilament yarn as a cotton cloth is arranged so as to run in parallel with the conveyor. As a result, the pressure from the metal plate of the conveyor is applied to the soymilk coagulated product via the filter cloth belt and is squeezed.
Further, soymilk during tofu production has a small number of bacteria because it is heated to 60 ° C. or higher, but tofu cooled to room temperature after coagulation of soymilk tends to become a hotbed of bacteria. Therefore, it is necessary to sterilize equipment such as a conveyor of tofu production equipment to prevent bacteria from adhering to the surface of tofu. Techniques for sterilizing equipment such as this type of conveyor have been conventionally proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-261369 Japanese Patent No. 5215941 Japanese Patent No. 3652740

The sterilization treatment of Patent Document 3 is for sterilizing the entire transfer process to the cooling water tank, and is particularly aimed at sterilizing the surface of tofu. Until now, tofu has been usually distributed in a refrigerator at 10 ° C. or lower, and consumed within 4 to 5 days at the longest after production. Therefore, absolute sterilization treatment for equipment such as conveyors was unnecessary. Recently, however, there has been a demand for providing tofu to areas that require a long distribution period and for extending the best-by date of tofu so that it can be stored for a long period of time according to the lifestyle of consumers. .. For example, there is also a request to guarantee storage for 60 days or more in a refrigerated state of about 5 ° C. In order to extend the taste period, it is important to apply a higher level of sterilization treatment and significantly reduce the number of viable bacteria adhering to equipment such as conveyors. In particular, if the bacteria remain on the filter cloth belt, which tends to be a hotbed of the bacteria, the bacteria may adhere to the tofu product, and the bacteria may grow during the storage of the product and impair the commercial value. In the case of long-term storage as described above, the sterilization treatment of Patent Document 3 is insufficient, and more complete cleaning and sterilization treatment are indispensable.

Further, in recent continuous molding devices such as a plate conveyor type, labor saving, economy and weight reduction are prioritized, and production efficiency is improved. As a result, the quality of tofu tends to be less important than before. For example, a thin metal plate is easy to heat and cool, and the heat retention of tofu is lowered. When the temperature of the tofu drops due to heat dissipation, the tofu softens and the binding force weakens, and the phenomenon of "clothing" in which the tofu adheres to the cotton cloth is likely to occur. In order to avoid this "clothing" phenomenon, it is common practice to raise the coagulation temperature of tofu to an excessively high temperature or to add a coagulant in a slightly excessive amount. As a result, the elasticity and flavor of tofu are deteriorated, and the product quality is deteriorated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it reliably cleans and sterilizes bacteria adhering to the filter cloth belt and the conveyor of the continuous molding apparatus, and tofu for a long period of time without deteriorating the product quality of tofu. The first object is to provide a continuous molding apparatus for tofu that can store tofu. A second object of the present invention is to provide a continuous molding apparatus for tofu, which can obtain high quality tofu by avoiding the phenomenon of "with cloth" in which tofu adheres to the filter cloth belt.

The present invention has the following configuration.
(1) A pair of an endless filter cloth belt that circulates on the outside and an endless transport conveyor that circulates on the inside are provided in pairs on the upper and lower sides, and the soymilk coagulated product is sandwiched between the upper and lower filter cloth belts and the transfer conveyor. It is a continuous molding device for tofu that is transported and squeezed while being transported.
In the feeding step from the start end of the transport path where the soymilk coagulated product is sandwiched to the end of the transport path among the orbits of the filter cloth belt and the transport conveyor, the filter cloth belt and the filter cloth belt in the feed process A continuous molding apparatus for tofu, which comprises a heating unit that heats a predetermined range of the transport conveyor to keep it warm or sterilize it.
(2) The continuous molding apparatus for tofu according to (1), wherein the heating unit includes a steam nozzle for injecting heated steam.
(3) The continuation of tofu according to (1) or (2), wherein the heating unit has a partition member surrounding the predetermined range and heats an internal space surrounded by the partition member. Molding equipment.
(4) The tofu according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the atmospheric temperature in the predetermined range heated by the heating unit is 60 ° C. or higher and 105 ° C. or lower. Continuous molding equipment.
(5) The filter cloth belt and the conveyor are driven at a circulating speed such that the passing time per passage when passing through the predetermined range is 1 second or more and 3600 seconds or less (4). ) Is a continuous molding device for tofu.
(6) The conveyor is a plate conveyor in which a large number of plate members using at least one of flat steel, shaped steel, and steel pipe are arranged in an endless manner (1) to (5). ) The continuous molding apparatus for tofu according to any one of the above.
(7) The continuous tofu according to (6), wherein the plate member has a hollow structure having a hollow portion, and at least one of a heat insulating heat insulating material and a heat storage material is arranged in the hollow portion. Molding equipment.
(8) The tofu according to (6), wherein the plate member has a hollow structure having a hollow portion, and the hollow portion includes a heat insulating region sealed under reduced pressure. Continuous molding equipment.

According to the present invention, bacteria adhering to the filter cloth belt of the continuous molding apparatus and the conveyor can be reliably washed and sterilized, and tofu can be stored for a long period of time without deteriorating the product quality. In addition, it is possible to avoid the phenomenon of "clothing" in which tofu adheres to the filter cloth belt, improve the heat retention during molding, and obtain high-quality tofu.

It is a figure for demonstrating the embodiment of this invention, and is the schematic whole block diagram of the continuous molding apparatus of tofu. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. It is a top view which shows a part of a conveyor. It is sectional drawing which shows a part of the cross section in the traveling direction of a transport conveyor. It is a partial cross-sectional view which cut | cut the molding apparatus of 2nd structure example by the plane orthogonal to the transport direction. It is sectional drawing of a caterpillar plate. It is sectional drawing of a caterpillar plate. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate of a hollow structure. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate of a hollow structure. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate of a hollow structure. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate of a hollow structure. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate of a hollow structure. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate of a hollow structure. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate of a hollow structure. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate of a hollow structure. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with a heat insulating heat insulating material or a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with a heat insulating heat insulating material or a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with a heat insulating heat insulating material or a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with a heat insulating heat insulating material or a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with a heat insulating heat insulating material or a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with a heat insulating heat insulating material or a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with a heat insulating heat insulating material or a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with a heat insulating heat insulating material or a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with a heat insulating heat insulating material or a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with a heat insulating heat insulating material or a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with a heat insulating heat insulating material or a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with a heat insulating heat insulating material or a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with a heat insulating heat insulating material or a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with a heat insulating heat insulating material or a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with a heat insulating heat insulating material or a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with both a heat insulating material and a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with both a heat insulating material and a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with both a heat insulating material and a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with both a heat insulating material and a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with both a heat insulating material and a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with both a heat insulating material and a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with both a heat insulating material and a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with both a heat insulating material and a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with both a heat insulating material and a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with both a heat insulating material and a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with both a heat insulating material and a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with both a heat insulating material and a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with both a heat insulating material and a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with both a heat insulating material and a heat storage material. It is sectional drawing of the caterpillar plate provided with both a heat insulating material and a heat storage material. It is a partial cross-sectional view which cut | cut the molding apparatus of 3rd structure example by the plane orthogonal to the transport direction. It is a partial cross-sectional view which cut the molding apparatus of 4th structural example by the plane orthogonal to the transport direction. It is a partial cross-sectional view which cut | cut the molding apparatus of 5th structural example in the plane orthogonal to the transport direction. It is a partial cross-sectional view which cut | cut the molding apparatus of 6th structural example in the plane along the transport direction. It is a typical partial cross-sectional view cut by the plane orthogonal to the transport direction of the molding apparatus of the 7th configuration example. It is a schematic partial side view of the molding apparatus of the 8th structural example. It is a partial cross-sectional view of the molding apparatus of the 1st modification. It is a partial cross-sectional view of the molding apparatus of the 2nd modification. It is a partial cross-sectional view of the molding apparatus of the 3rd modification. It is a partial cross-sectional view of the molding apparatus of the 4th modification. It is a typical partial side view of the molding apparatus of the 9th configuration example. It is a partial cross-sectional view of the molding apparatus of a modification.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(First configuration example)
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment of the present invention, a schematic overall configuration diagram of a continuous molding apparatus for tofu, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. The tofu continuous molding device (hereinafter abbreviated as molding device) 100 having the present configuration includes an endless filter cloth belt 13 that circulates outside above the transport path 11 of the soymilk coagulant T, which is a tofu dough. A pair of endless conveyors 15 orbiting the inside is provided, and a pair of endless filter cloth belts 17 orbiting the outside and an endless conveyor 19 orbiting the inside are provided below the transport path 11. Be done.

A pair of upper and lower endless filter cloth belts 13 and 17 (shown by a solid line in FIG. 1), and a pair of upper and lower endless conveyors 15 and 19 (in FIG. 1 by a dotted line) that circulate in synchronization with each other. (Shown) sandwiches the soymilk coagulated product T, which is the object to be transported, in the vertical direction and transports it along the transport direction P. The vertical interval of the transport path 11 is narrower than or equal to the thickness of the soymilk coagulant T, and the soymilk coagulant T is transported along the transport direction P while being squeezed by the transport conveyors 15 and 19. To. The soymilk coagulant T is squeezed in the transport path 11 and water (“whey”, “water”, or “hot water”) is discharged, so that the soymilk coagulant T is compacted and molded into tofu. ..

The tofu in the present specification refers to silken tofu, cotton tofu (including soft cotton tofu to very hard cotton tofu, hard tofu, tofu, etc.), soft cotton tofu, fried (thick fried) dough, silk fried tofu, etc. It means fried tofu such as thin fried tofu, seasoned sushi fried tofu, dougan dough and their secondary processed products (including frozen processing and freeze-drying processing). When applying silken tofu, in the molding device of the coagulation molding machine line for both silk and cotton, the conveyor above the transport path 11 is floated and passed without touching or strongly pressing the pudding-like soymilk coagulant. It shall be aged and aged (see Patent Document 2).

The upper conveyor 15 is driven by the conveyor 23 and orbits above the conveyor 11. The upper filter cloth belt 13 is driven by a filter cloth belt drive roller 24 in which a cloth is wound around a rubber roller, and orbits above the transport path 11. Further, the lower conveyor 19 is driven by the conveyor 27 and orbits below the conveyor 11. The filter cloth belt 17 is driven by the filter cloth belt drive roller 28 and orbits below the transport path 11. A plurality of driven rollers 29 are arranged on the orbits of the filter cloth belts 13 and 17 and the conveyors 15 and 19, respectively. In the filter cloth belts 13, 17 and the conveyors 15, 19, only the conveyor rollers (for example, 23, 27) on one side in the transport direction are synchronously driven by a motor (not shown), and the other conveyor rollers 21, 25 are driven. The tofu coagulated product T is transported.

The filter cloth belts 13 and 17 are made of threads (monofilament, multifilament, wire diameter 0.1 to 1.0 mm) made of, for example, a fluorine resin for food, a polyester resin (polyethylene terephthalate resin), a polypropylene resin, an aramid fiber resin, or the like. , Plain weave, twill weave, etc. The filter cloth has a tensile strength that can withstand mechanical tension, is relatively flexible, and has a property of being easily bent in a concave shape. The material of the filter cloth belt is not particularly limited, but for details, refer to, for example, Japanese Patent No. 4004413.

As shown in FIG. 2, the transfer conveyor 19 is movably supported in the circumferential (convey) direction (vertical direction on the paper surface of FIG. 2) by a plurality of support rails 33 erected on the base 31. Above the base 31, an elevating portion 35 supported so as to be vertically movable by an elevating mechanism (not shown) is arranged. A plurality of support rails 37 are provided so as to hang down from the elevating part 35, and the conveyor 15 is uniformly pressed toward the lower soymilk coagulant T.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a part of the conveyors 15 and 19, and FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a part of the cross section of the conveyors 15 and 19 in the traveling direction. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the conveyors 15 and 19 are caterpillar (registered trademark) type conveyors, and are orthogonal to the caterpillar plate 38, which is a large number of flat plate members, and the traveling direction of the caterpillar plate 38. It has chains 39 provided at both ends in the direction of

The caterpillar plates 38 may be arranged continuously along the traveling direction with substantially no gap, or may be arranged at predetermined intervals along the traveling direction. Further, the caterpillar plate 38 may be provided with a drainage mechanism and have a structure in which water can easily flow out.

As shown in FIG. 4, the chain 39 is attached to the caterpillar plate 38 via the connecting member 41. The chain 39 is orbitally driven by a motor (not shown) via transport rollers 23 and 27 (see FIG. 1) and driven transport rollers 21 and 25 (see FIG. 1) so that the caterpillar plate 38 follows the orbit. And move. The conveyors 15 and 19 are driven at the same orbital speed. The filter cloth belts 13 and 17 are driven by a motor (not shown) to drive the filter cloth belt drive rollers 24 and 28, and are orbitally driven at the same orbital speed according to the caterpillar plate 38 which is orbitally driven.

Of the orbits of the filter cloth belt 13 and the transfer conveyor 15 and the filter cloth belt 17 and the transfer conveyor 19 shown in FIG. 1, the region serving as the transfer path 11, that is, between the transfer rollers 22 and 24, and the transfer roller. The area between 26 and 28 is the area of the feeding process of the filter cloth belts 13 and 17. The area between the transfer rollers 21 and 23 and between the transfer rollers 25 and 27 is the area of the feed process of the transfer conveyors 15 and 19. In the region of this feeding process, the filter cloth belts 13 and 17 and the conveyors 15 and 19 are linearly arranged along the transport path 11. The soymilk coagulated product T on the transport path 11 is transported while being vertically sandwiched between the filter cloth belts 13 and 17, and is squeezed and molded.

Of the above-mentioned orbits, the process from the end of the transport path 11 in which the soymilk coagulated product T is sandwiched to the return to the start end of the transport path 11 is a return process in a broad sense. That is, the return process in a broad sense includes a turning process at both ends of the feeding process. In the turning step, the traveling direction is largely turned in the region of the orbit where the soymilk coagulated product T is separated from the soymilk coagulated product T at the downstream end of the transport path 11 and the traveling direction is largely rotated, and in the vicinity of the starting end on the upstream side of the transport path 11. It is a region up to just before approaching the soymilk coagulated product T. However, in the present specification, when the return process and the turning process are described together, the return process means the remaining region excluding the turning process from the returning process in a broad sense. To do.

In the feeding step of the molding apparatus 100, as described above, the soymilk coagulated product T is sandwiched between the conveyors 15 and 19 via the filter cloth belts 13 and 17 and pressed. As a result, the soymilk coagulated product T receives pressure from the conveyors 15 and 19 via the filter cloth belts 13 and 17 and discharges water such as whey. Then, the filter cloth belts 13 and 17 and the conveyors 15 and 19 pass through the conveyors 23, 27 and 24, 28, and the cleaning treatment and the sterilization treatment are performed in the return step of separating from the soymilk coagulant T. After that, it is returned to the positions of the transport rollers 21, 25 and 22, 26 again.

Next, the configuration of the return process of the molding apparatus 100 will be described in detail.
The molding apparatus 100 provides an alkali as an alkali cleaning portion in the region of the return process in the orbital orbit of the filter cloth belt 13 and the conveyor 15 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the orbital direction of the filter cloth belt 13 and the conveyor 15. The cleaning tank 43, the acid cleaning tank 47 as the acid cleaning unit, and the steam sterilization tank 51 as the heating unit are arranged in this order. Similarly, in the region of the return process in the orbit of the filter cloth belt 17 and the conveyor 19, the alkali cleaning tank 45, the acid cleaning tank 49, and the steam sterilization tank are similarly directed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the orbiting direction. 53 and are arranged in this order.

Further, a washing / cleaning unit 55 is arranged on the upstream side of the alkaline cleaning tank 43 in the circumferential direction in the orbits of the filter cloth belt 13 and the conveyor 15. Further, a water washing and cleaning unit 59 is arranged between the alkaline cleaning tank 43 and the acid cleaning tank 47, and a water washing and cleaning unit 63 is arranged between the acid cleaning tank 47 and the steam sterilization tank 51.

Similarly, the washing and cleaning unit 57 is arranged on the upstream side of the alkaline cleaning tank 45 in the circumferential direction in the orbits of the filter cloth belt 17 and the conveyor 19. A water washing unit 61 is arranged between the alkaline cleaning tank 45 and the acid cleaning tank 49, and a water washing unit 65 is arranged between the acid cleaning tank 49 and the steam sterilization tank 53.

In the alkaline cleaning tanks 43 and 45, the filter cloth belt 13 and the conveyor 15 are immersed in the alkaline liquid. The acid cleaning tanks 47 and 49 immerse the filter cloth belt 13 and the conveyor 15 in the acid solution. In the illustrated example, the alkaline cleaning tank 43 and the acid cleaning tank 47 commonly immerse the filter cloth belt 13 and the transport conveyor 15, and the alkaline cleaning tank 45 and the acid cleaning tank 49 include the filter cloth belt 17 and the transport conveyor 19. Is immersed in common, but a tank may be provided in which each is individually immersed. Also, during production, do not put chemicals in each alkaline washing tank or each acid washing tank, but put hot water at 60 to 100 ° C for hot water washing and sterilization, or install in each tank without hot water. It may be diverted as a steam sterilization tank that heats steam at 60 to 105 ° C. by the steam supply means.

The alkaline solution stored in the alkaline cleaning tanks 43 and 45 has a concentration of 0.5% or more, preferably 1% or more, most preferably 2% or more and 10% or less, pH 9 or more, preferably pH 11 or more, and most preferably. A sodium hydroxide solution having a pH of 13 or higher and having a temperature of 60 to 100 ° C. can be used. In addition to sodium hydroxide, solutions of potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, sodium phosphate and the like (0.5 to 10%, pH 9 to 14, 40 to 100 ° C.) can be used. That is, as the alkaline solution, an alkaline solution having a concentration of 0.5% or more, preferably 1% or more, more preferably 2% or more, and a concentration of 10% or less, preferably 5% or less can be used. When the concentration of the alkaline solution is within the above concentration range, the cleaning effect is low when the concentration is less than 0.5%, and when the concentration exceeds 10%, the cleaning effect is not particularly improved as the concentration increases, and packing and the like are not observed. This is because the resin and rubber of the above are likely to deteriorate, and the handling work becomes complicated.

The acid solution stored in the acid cleaning tanks 47 and 49 has a concentration of 0.1% or more, preferably 0.5% or more, most preferably 1% or more and 10% or less, and a pH of 5 or less, preferably pH 3 or less. A citric acid solution can be used. In addition to citric acid, solutions of hydrochloric acid, oxalic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, gluconic acid, formic acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, sulfamic acid, etc. (0.1 to 10%, pH 1 to 5, 40 to 100 ° C.) ) Can be used. That is, as the acid solution, an acid solution having a concentration of 0.1% or more and 10% or less, preferably 5% or less can be used. When the concentration of the acid solution is within the above concentration range, the cleaning effect is low when the concentration is less than 0.1%, and when the concentration exceeds 10%, the cleaning effect is not particularly improved as the concentration increases, and stainless steel, etc. This is because there is a risk of corrosion and the handling work becomes complicated.

The washing water used in the washing parts 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65 includes fresh water (tap water, sterile water that has passed through a sterilization filter, etc.), ozone water, and sodium hypochlorite solution. , Neutral chemicals with bactericidal action such as hypochlorite water can also be used. It is essential that the water-washing and washing units 55 and 57 reliably remove the tofu lees. Therefore, it is preferable to use a method of removing the tofu lees by a strong water flow using a high-pressure pump. The water washing and washing units 59, 61, 63, and 65 may be sprinkled with low-pressure water as appropriate, or may be omitted as appropriate in some cases. The alkaline solution can be neutralized in the following acid washing tank. Further, the acid solution may be removed by the steam injection in the next steam sterilization tank and the rinsing effect using the steam condensed water (spray) or hot water by the hot water supply means provided in the steam sterilization tank. A synergistic effect can be expected to further improve the heat sterilization effect depending on the conditions.

The steam sterilization tanks 51 and 53 have a steam nozzle 71 and a partition member 73. The steam nozzle 71 transfers steam of 0.05 to 0.4 MPa obtained by reducing the pressure of steam of 0.5 to 2.0 MPa supplied from the boiler into the steam sterilization tanks 51 and 53 via a regulating valve. Erupt evenly. The water vapor to be ejected is steam that is almost open to the atmosphere at 90 ° C or higher and 105 ° C or lower, and has a vapor pressure of atmospheric pressure or slightly higher than atmospheric pressure. Absolute pressure is 0.1 to 0.12 MPa, gauge pressure. It becomes 0.000 to 0.02 MPa. One or more of the steam nozzles 71 of the steam sterilization tank 51 are arranged along the orbit of the filter cloth belt 13 and the conveyor 15, and one or more of the steam nozzles 71 of the steam sterilization tank 53 are filters. It is arranged along the orbit of the cloth belt 17 and the conveyor 19.

The partition member 73 includes a curtain provided at the entrance and exit of the steam sterilization tanks 51 and 53 and a cover that covers the periphery of the tank. The partition member 73 of the steam sterilization tank 51 is arranged so as to surround a predetermined range on the orbit around the filter cloth belt 13 and the conveyor 15, and the partition member 73 of the steam sterilization tank 53 is the filter cloth belt 17 and the conveyor 19. It is arranged around a predetermined range on the orbit. The internal space surrounded by the partition member 73 is at least 60 ° C. or higher, preferably 80 ° C. or higher, more preferably 90 ° C. or higher by injecting heated steam from the steam nozzle 71 arranged in the internal space. The temperature is set to a uniform atmosphere temperature of 105 ° C. or lower, preferably 100 ° C. or lower. In particular, in order to realize a long-term guarantee of the best-by date, it is preferable to set the atmospheric temperature at 90 to 105 ° C. or the temperature of the soymilk coagulated article at 90 to 100 ° C. Although not shown, the entrances and exits of the steam sterilization tanks 51 and 53 may be provided with steam leakage prevention means such as a water-sealed seal in addition to the above-mentioned warming, to improve airtightness and to be surrounded by a partition member 73. The steam sterilization tanks 51 and 53 may be placed in a slightly pressurized state (atmospheric pressure slightly higher than atmospheric pressure) to maintain an atmospheric temperature of 100 ° C. or higher and 105 ° C. or lower.

As described above, in the steam sterilization tanks 51 and 53, steam is sprayed from the steam nozzle 71 toward the filter cloth belts 13 and 17 and the conveyors 15 and 19, respectively. Further, the internal space defined by the partition member 73 is filled with the steam sprayed from the steam nozzle 71. As a result, the entire interior space is heated to the above-mentioned atmospheric temperature, and the filter cloth belts 13 and 17 and the conveyors 15 and 19 are sterilized by heating with high efficiency.

<Compression molding of tofu, cleaning, and sterilization>
The molding apparatus 100 having the above configuration press-molds the soymilk coagulated product T by the following procedure. That is, the soymilk coagulated product T is supplied between the pair of filter cloth belts 13 and 17 and the conveyors 15 and 19 arranged above and below the transport path 11, respectively. This soymilk coagulant T is produced by an apparatus (not shown), in which a coagulant such as bittern is added to soymilk, and the soymilk is continuously coagulated, molded, and aged in the form of a sheet.

The soymilk coagulated product T passes between the filter cloth belts 13 and 17 above and below the transport path 11 and the transport conveyors 15 and 19. At that time, the soymilk coagulated product T is pressed by the upper and lower conveyors 15 and 19 via the filter cloth belts 13 and 17, and becomes tofu that has been squeezed and molded. By continuously performing the above treatment, for example, sheet-shaped tofu such as fried tofu, cotton tofu, soft cotton, and silk fried tofu having a molding dimension height (thickness) of 1 to 150 mm and a width of 300 to 3000 mm. It becomes possible to mass-produce the kind efficiently.

After the soymilk coagulated product T is squeezed and molded, the filter cloth belts 13 and 17 and the transport conveyors 15 and 19 are transported to the water washing and washing units 55 and 57 in the return step of the orbit. Hereinafter, the filter cloth belt 13 and the conveyor 15 above the transport path 11 will be described.

In the water washing / cleaning unit 55, high-pressure washing water is sprayed onto the filter cloth belt 13 and the conveyor 15. As a result, the residue of the soymilk coagulant T adhering to the surfaces of the filter cloth belt 13 and the conveyor 15 and the discharged whey are washed. It is preferable that the washing / cleaning unit 55 is configured to spray high-pressure washing water from the back side (non-contact side of tofu) of the filter cloth belt 13 to drop the tofu cake on the front side of the filter cloth belt 13. Further, the tofu lees may be crushed into pieces and dropped on the back side by spraying from the front side (tofu contact side), and further, the spray may be sprayed from the front side next to the back side.

The filter cloth belt 13 and the conveyor 15 after the high-pressure cleaning are conveyed to the alkaline cleaning tank 43. The alkaline cleaning tank 43 decomposes and cleans organic substances such as oil and protein by immersing the conveyed filter cloth belt 13 and the conveyor 15 in the stored alkaline liquid. As a result, the fine residue of the soymilk coagulated product T adhering to the filter cloth belt 13 and the conveyor 15 is removed by the alkaline solution. The immersion time in the alkaline solution is preferably 1 second or longer, preferably 60 seconds or longer, 3600 seconds or shorter, preferably 600 seconds or shorter.

The filter cloth belt 13 and the conveyor 15 immersed in the alkaline cleaning tank 43 are pulled up from the alkaline liquid and conveyed to the water washing unit 59. In the water washing / cleaning unit 59, the washing water is sprayed onto the filter cloth belt 13 and the conveyor 15 in the same manner as described above to wash off the alkaline liquid of the filter cloth belt 13 and the conveyor 15.

The filter cloth belt 13 and the conveyor 15 that have passed through the water-washing section 59 are conveyed to the acid-washing tank 47. The acid cleaning tank 47 neutralizes the alkali content that may remain in a trace amount by immersing the filter cloth belt 13 and the conveyor 15 to be conveyed in the stored acid solution, and at the same time, an inorganic salt such as calcium carbonate. Dissolve (scale) and wash. The immersion time in the acid solution is preferably 1 second or longer, preferably 60 seconds or longer, 3600 seconds or shorter, preferably 600 seconds or shorter.

The filter cloth belt 13 and the conveyor 15 immersed in the acid cleaning tank 47 are pulled up from the acid solution and conveyed to the water washing unit 63. In the water washing / cleaning unit 63, the washing water is sprayed onto the filter cloth belt 13 and the conveyor 15 in the same manner as described above to wash off the acid solution of the filter cloth belt 13 and the conveyor 15.

The filter cloth belt 13 and the conveyor 15 that have passed through the washing unit 63 are conveyed to the steam sterilization tank 51. The steam sterilization tank 51 blows high-temperature atmospheric pressure steam injected from the steam nozzle 71 onto the filter cloth belt 13 and the conveyor 15 to be conveyed. The passage time (residence time) per time when the filter cloth belt 13 and the conveyor 15 pass through the steam sterilization tank 51 is 1 second or longer, preferably 5 seconds or longer, more preferably 10 seconds or longer, and 3600. It is preferably seconds or less, preferably 600 seconds or less.

In the steam sterilization tank 51, the required sterilizing action can be obtained by heating at an atmospheric temperature of 60 ° C. or higher and 105 ° C. or lower with a residence time of 1 second or longer. Further, if the residence time is 10 seconds or more, a more remarkable bactericidal action can be obtained. On the other hand, if the residence time exceeds 3600 seconds, the bactericidal effect is difficult to increase, the quality of the tofu flavor and the like is deteriorated, and there are restrictions on the length and space of the continuous molding apparatus, so that the processing is rather inefficient.

The immersion time and passage time described above can be adjusted by controlling the orbiting speed of the filter cloth belt 13 and the conveyor 15. Further, it may be designed in advance so that the immersion time and the passing time are lengthened by folding back or pulling out a large number of orbits of each return portion by a plurality of driven rollers 29. As the drive method, adjustment, and control method for adjusting the immersion time and the transit time, any appropriate one can be adopted.

The above is the operation of the filter cloth belt 13 and the transfer conveyor 15 above the transport path 11, but the filter cloth belt 17 and the transport conveyor 19 below the transport path 11 have the same configuration, and the same cleaning and sterilization are performed. Processing is applied. That is, the filter cloth belt 17 and the transport conveyor 19 pass through the washing section 57, the alkali washing tank 45, the washing washing section 61, the acid washing tank 49, the washing washing section 65, and the steam sterilization tank 53 in this order in the return process. Then, it is washed and sterilized. After that, it is returned to the feeding process again.

The molding apparatus 100 having this configuration has (1) washing with water, (2) washing with alkali, and (3) washing with water in the return step after the soymilk coagulant T is separated from the filter cloth belts 13, 17 and the conveyors 15, 19. Each step of washing, (4) acid washing, (5) washing with water, and (6) steam sterilization is carried out in this order. As a result, the protein stains on the soymilk coagulated product T adhering to the filter cloth belts 13 and 17 and the conveyors 15 and 19 can be completely removed. In particular, the filter cloth belts 13 and 17 have a cloth property in which the residue of soymilk coagulated product T and bacteria are easily attached, but unnecessary substances are surely removed by the above-mentioned washing and sterilization treatment.

According to this configuration, by performing alkaline cleaning and acid cleaning before steam sterilization, even if viable bacteria remain after acid cleaning, the vitality of the viable bacteria can be sufficiently weakened. As a result, the sterilization effect by steam sterilization is enhanced, and a more complete sterilization process can be realized. The cleaning order may be interchanged between alkaline cleaning and acid cleaning. Further, depending on the conditions, acid cleaning may be omitted.

In this way, bacterial cells such as vegetative cells and heat-resistant spore bacteria adhering to the filter cloth belts 13 and 17 and the conveyors 15 and 19 can be removed and sterilized more reliably than before, so that the tofu after molding can be sterilized. The number of initial bacteria can be significantly reduced. Therefore, the growth of microorganisms (bacteria) during storage of tofu can be suppressed for a long period of time. As a result, tofu can be stored for a long period of time, and the expiration date can be extended.

Further, since the conveyors 15 and 19 and the filter cloth belts 13 and 17 are heated to a high temperature by the steam sterilization tanks 51 and 53, the soymilk coagulant T is heated when it comes into contact with the soymilk coagulant T in the feeding process. An effect or a heat retaining effect can be obtained. Due to this heating effect and heat retaining effect, softening caused by a decrease in the temperature of the soymilk coagulated product T is prevented, and the binding property of the tofu (dough) is improved. As a result, it is possible to significantly reduce the occurrence of "cloth attachment" in which tofu adheres to the upper and lower filter cloth belts.

In the case of the conventional molding apparatus, heat dissipation of tofu is remarkable when it is squeezed and transported, and therefore, a slightly larger amount of the added coagulant is used to suppress the sticking of the tofu. For this reason, the finished tofu was easy to separate from the water and the umami escaped, and the texture such as brittleness and roughness was easily obtained. However, in the case of the molding apparatus 100 having this configuration, the amount of the coagulant to be added can be reduced to an appropriate amount without being excessive, and the quality of tofu can be improved so as to approach the traditional flavor and texture, which is economical. Also improves. Furthermore, the solidification and aging time and the pressing molding time are shortened, the length of the continuous production line for tofu is shortened, and space can be saved.

<Structure of caterpillar plate>
Next, the configurations of the above-mentioned transfer conveyors 15 and 19 will be described in more detail.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the caterpillar plate 38 constituting the conveyors 15 and 19 has an elongated shape in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction thereof, and supports the flexible filter cloth belts 13 and 17. Therefore, the facing surface of the caterpillar plate 38 toward the soymilk coagulated product T is formed as a flat surface. In other words, the caterpillar plate 38 uses a member having at least a straight portion on one side of the outer peripheral surface of the cross section. That is, the caterpillar plate 38 may be a member whose facing surface toward the soymilk coagulated product T is a flat surface, and at least one of the outer peripheral surfaces is a flat surface. As a result, the heat transfer area to the soymilk coagulant T is widened, and the heating efficiency and heat retention efficiency of the tofu are enhanced.

As the caterpillar plate 38 having this configuration, a shaped steel such as a flat steel having a large wall thickness can be preferably used. Therefore, the heat insulation and heat storage properties are improved as compared with the conventional thin caterpillar plate, and the amount of heat that can be retained by heating is increased. Therefore, the soymilk coagulated product T can be indirectly heat-transferred via the filter cloth belts 13 and 17, and at least the temperature drop of the tofu due to heat dissipation can be suppressed.

The caterpillar plate 38 may be a metal plate material having a smooth surface and high flexural rigidity, such as aluminum, iron, copper, and titanium. In particular, a stainless steel material having a low thermal conductivity (<20 W / mK) (for example, SUS304 (thermal conductivity: about 15 W / mK)) is preferably used for the caterpillar plate 38. When the caterpillar plate 38 is made of a material having a low thermal conductivity, the amount of heat of the heated soymilk coagulant T is less likely to be transferred to the caterpillar plate 38, and as a result, the soymilk coagulant T is transferred to the optimum predetermined temperature range in tofu molding. It will be easier to maintain.

In addition to metal, the caterpillar plate 38 can be made of ceramic, resin (engineering plastics such as polypropylene, fluororesin, PEEK), FRP (resin containing glass fiber or resin containing reinforcing core material such as PEEK containing carbon fiber), natural or Members with the desired heat resistance and rigidity, such as synthetic stone, natural or synthetic wood, can be used. In any case, for example, in the United States, the material may be a material certified by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) or the like, and in Japan, the material may be a material conforming to the standard test of the Food Sanitation Law.

In general, the thermal conductivity of resins is sufficiently lower than that of carbon steel such as about 47 W / mK, and is about 0.2 W / mK at room temperature. Therefore, even relatively flexible resins can be applied to the caterpillar plate 38 by combining high-strength materials (metals) to form a composite material.

The thickness of the caterpillar plate 38 is in the range of 4 to 200 mm. In particular, considering the weight and strength, it is preferable to use flat steel or square steel having a large wall thickness in the range of 10 to 25 mm in thickness. Further, considering the amount of heat retained as the heat storage material, the thickness of the caterpillar plate 38 is preferably in the range of 5 to 50 mm. The width of the caterpillar plate 38 along the traveling direction is 10 to 100 mm, and the length in the direction orthogonal to the traveling direction is 300 to 3000 mm. Particularly preferable dimensions are a width of 20 to 80 mm, a length of 1000 to 2000 mm, and a height (thickness) of 10 to 100 mm.

The thicker the caterpillar plate 38 and the heavier the caterpillar plate 38, the larger the amount of heat retained and the higher the heat storage property. Since the caterpillar plate 38 receives the heat of the heated soymilk coagulant T and raises the temperature, the higher the heat storage property, the higher the heating effect and the heat retaining effect on the soymilk coagulated product T sandwiched by the caterpillar plate 38.

The surface of the caterpillar plate 38 (only the back surface or the entire surface) is polished (buffing, electrolytic polishing, etc.) to improve slidability, smoothness, and wear resistance, hard chromium, chromium nitride, titanium nitride, ceramic, etc. Surface hardening / smoothing treatment (ceramic spraying, etc.), surface treatment with fluororesin or various resins (resin coating, etc.), or a combined processing thereof may be performed.

The transport conveyors 15 and 19 may have any form as long as they can support the filter cloth belts 13 and 17 in contact with the soymilk coagulated product T from the back side of the filter cloth belts 13 and 17 on a flat surface. Preferably, it may be a caterpillar type conveyor in which a large number of rigid substantially flat plate members are connected by a connecting means such as a chain. In addition, for example, it may be an endless type conveyor composed of a large number of flat plates such as an apron conveyor, a slat conveyor, a top plate conveyor, a top chain conveyor, and a flat top chain conveyor.

In caterpillar type conveyors and top chain conveyors, a flat plate and one to several chains are integrated, and the flat plate and the flat plate are connected by a chain to be flexibly configured. Sprockets are attached to the front and rear of the transport path, and the chain is engaged with the sprockets. The conveyor is conveyed and driven by driving this chain. On the other hand, in the plate conveyor, the apron conveyor, and the slat conveyor, both ends of the flat plate are fixed to the orbiting chain, and a large number of flat plates are connected. The conveyor is driven by engaging the chain with sprockets arranged in the front-rear direction in the transport direction.

In either case, the conveyor driving motor is arranged on the rotating shaft at the front end (upstream side) of the conveyor feeding process via a rotation variable adjusting device such as an inverter or a speed reducer. The above sprocket is attached to this drive motor to form a drive unit. A sprocket is also attached to the rotating shaft at the rear end of the conveyor feeding process to form a driven portion.

<Other configuration examples of filter cloth belt and conveyor>
Next, another configuration example of the filter cloth belt and the transport conveyor will be described. In the following description, the description will be simplified or omitted by assigning the same reference numerals to the corresponding members or the same members.

(Second configuration example)
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the molding apparatus of the second configuration example cut along a plane orthogonal to the transport direction. The molding apparatus 100A having this configuration uses a hollow structure caterpillar plate 38A having a hollow portion such as a steel square pipe or a steel pipe material instead of the caterpillar plate 38 in the conveyors 15 and 19 of the first configuration example described above. ing. Other configurations are the same as those of the molding apparatus 100 of the first configuration example.

A steel pipe material having a hollow cross section such as a square pipe is a general steel pipe and can be obtained at a relatively low cost. Further, in particular, the square pipe has less unevenness in the surface shape than other shaped steels, is easy to clean, and can be reduced in weight while having high rigidity. The steel pipe material has a height of 5 mm or more, preferably a height of 10 mm or more, and can be used up to 100 mm. The short side (side along the traveling direction) of the caterpillar plate 38A viewed from above is preferably 20 to 150 mm, and the long side (side orthogonal to the traveling direction) is preferably 500 to 2500 mm. For the caterpillar plate 38A, for example, the wall thickness of a square steel pipe having a rectangular or square cross section can be appropriately selected in the range of 10 to 100 mm on one side of the cross section. For the caterpillar plate 38A, it is preferable to use a square pipe having a wall thickness of 2 to 8 mm in view of the relationship between weight, strength, and thermal conductivity.

Further, the caterpillar plate 38A has a low specific heat when the section to be heated in the return step is a short section or a section immediately before approaching the soymilk coagulated product T on the inlet side of the transport path 11. It is preferable to use a metal member having a thin wall thickness. If the heating section is long, it is preferable to use a metal member having a high specific heat and a large wall thickness or a high-rigidity resin member having a rigidity equal to or higher than that of the metal. The thin plate material has high heat dissipation (easy to cool), and after approaching the soymilk coagulant T, quickly settles in a steady state of heat transfer. Further, since the member having a large wall thickness has a large heat capacity, it is slow to settle in a steady state of heat transfer after approaching the soymilk coagulated product T, so that heat dissipation of the soymilk coagulated product T can be suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the caterpillar plate 38A may have a heat insulating material H or a heat storage material F assembled in the hollow portion. Only one of the heat insulating material H and the heat storage material F may be arranged in the hollow portion, or both may be mixed. Further, only air having a low thermal conductivity may be sealed in the hollow portion as the heat insulating and heat insulating material H.

In addition to arranging the heat insulating heat insulating material H and the heat storage material F in a substantially box shape in the hollow portion of the hollow structure and filling the material, as shown in FIG. 6B, the heat insulating material H and the heat storage material F have a cylindrical shape or a square cylinder shape in advance. It may be arranged in the form of a unit such as a strip. In that case, the heat insulating material H and the heat storage material F can be easily replaced.

In addition to air, the heat insulating and heat insulating material H is a commercially available vacuum heat insulating material (thermal conductivity: 0.0012 to 0.005 W / mK), a heat insulating and heat insulating material such as a foamed resin molded product, or a foamed resin (granular urethane foam). It can also be composed of a heat insulating member such as resin, granular expanded polystyrene resin, foamed silicone resin) or foamed rubber, or a heat insulating raw material such as an organic dried product such as wood chips or dried okara. The heat insulating and heat insulating material H has a form in which the heat insulating and heat insulating material is arranged in a hollow portion, a form in which foamed resins are foamed and molded in the hollow portion, and a fluid, powder, or liquid which is a heat insulating raw material is placed in the hollow portion. It may be a filled form, a form including a heat insulating region such as a vacuum heat insulating body in which the hollow portion is degassed, depressurized, or sealed as a vacuum.

Convection of air in the hollow portion is unlikely to occur in the form in which the hollow portion is sealed in a reduced pressure state in which the air is thin or in a vacuum state in which almost no air is present. In addition, heat dissipation is reduced, and heat insulation and heat retention are further enhanced. Therefore, in this form, heat dissipation of the soymilk coagulant T can be suppressed with high efficiency and relatively inexpensively, and the quality of tofu can be improved.

The pressure in the reduced pressure state or the vacuum state may be 0 to 0.1 MPa (relative pressure: −0.1 to 0 MPa) as an absolute pressure, and may be an atmospheric pressure or less. Further, for example, a reduced pressure or vacuum member such as a vacuum heat insulating material developed for commercial home appliances (refrigerators) may be housed in a hollow portion. The method of reducing the pressure and vacuum of the hollow portion and the method of sealing the hollow portion are not particularly limited.

The heat insulating heat insulating material H provided in the hollow portion is a gas having low thermal conductivity such as carbon dioxide gas, ethane gas, ethylene gas, an inert gas such as nitrogen gas, argon gas, krypton gas, xenon gas, etc. as a gas other than air. Can be used. The thermal conductivity of air is 0.0241 W / mK and the thermal conductivity of argon gas is 0.0168 W / mK, whereas the thermal conductivity of krypton gas is 0.0087 W / mK and the thermal conductivity of xenon gas is 0.0087 W / mK. It is 0.0052 W / mK. Therefore, if krypton gas or xenon gas is used as the heat insulating and heat insulating material H, the heat insulating and heat insulating effect can be further enhanced.

As the heat storage material F, a latent heat storage material having a large specific heat and undergoing a phase change is preferably used. For example, in a commercially available product, "Passamo: registered trademark" (manufactured by Tamai Kasei) can be used in a range of up to 50 ° C. Further, it may be a sugar alcohol, an inorganic salt hydrate, an organic acid salt hydrate or the like having a freezing point or a melting point at a melting point of 50 ° C. to 120 ° C., preferably 60 ° C. to 105 ° C.

As the heat storage material F, a phase change type heat storage material, a sensible heat storage material, or the like can be used. For example, water, oil (especially solid fat, hydrogenated oil, etc.), inorganic substances (sand, alumina, magnesium oxide, ceramic beads (powder), etc.), organic substances (resin beads, organic latent heat storage materials such as diatomaceous earth), etc. Can be used. In particular, a substance having a melting point or a freezing point of 60 ° C. to 105 ° C. can be used. In the range of 60 ° C. to 105 ° C., water under atmospheric pressure is also included in the sensible heat storage material. The heat storage material F is appropriately selected within a range in which the caterpillar plate 38A becomes heavy and does not increase the mechanical strength to become an excessively heavy machine, or does not become expensive.

The radiant heat and thermal conductivity of the caterpillar plate 38A can be further reduced by applying a copper foil, an aluminum foil, a resin lining, or the like to prevent radiant heat inside the hollow portion thereof. Further, by appropriately combining the heat insulating material H and the heat storage material F around the members of the caterpillar plate 38A (front surface, back surface, side surface, inner surface, etc.) or impregnating them, a heat insulating heat insulating function can be combined. The heat storage function can be enhanced. Further, by applying a treatment such as a resin coating to suppress the heat transfer coefficient to a small value on the surface of the member of the caterpillar plate 38A, the heat dissipation suppressing effect can be further enhanced. The heat insulating material H and the heat storage material F may be replaceable and detachable, and the combination thereof is not particularly limited.

As the latent heat storage material, for example, the following materials can be used. That is, slateol (melting point 90 ° C.), erythritol (melting point 90 ° C.), and xylitol (melting point 94 ° C.) having a melting point or freezing point in the range of 50 ° C. at the lowest and 120 ° C. at the highest, preferably in the range of 60 to 105 ° C. ), Sorbitol (melting point 106 ° C) and other polyols and sugar alcohols, sodium acetate trihydrate (melting point 58 ° C), trisodium phosphate dodecahydrate (melting point 75 ° C), sodium tetraborate tenhydration. (Melting point 75 ° C.), Barium hydroxide octahydrate (melting point 78 ° C.), Chromium chloride (III) hexahydrate (melting point 83 ° C.), Cobalt chloride (II) hexahydrate (melting point 86 ° C.), Phase transition type heat storage material such as inorganic salt hydrate such as magnesium nitrate hexahydrate (melting point 89 ° C.), aluminum potassium sulfate dodecahydrate (melting point 93 ° C.), magnesium chloride hexahydrate (melting point 117 ° C.) , Water, fats and oils, fatty acids (stearic acid), organic acids, paraffins and other liquids and viscous liquids, jellies or gels (agar, carrageenan and curdlangel), konjak mannan, pectin, cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, etc. Organic materials such as iron powder, mineral powders such as sand, alumina, ceramics, and concrete, powders such as inorganic salts such as salt and calcium sulfate, and other heat-generating heat-storing materials, and other heat-storing effects are expected. The material is not particularly limited as long as it can be formed and can be filled in the hollow portion.

7A to 7H are cross-sectional views of a hollow structure caterpillar plate 38A having a hollow portion. The caterpillar plate 38A is not limited to the cross-sectional shape shown in FIG. 7A composed of the steel pipes (square steel pipe, square pipe) 111 described above. A form in which the channel steel (C-shaped steel) 113 and the flat steel 115 shown in FIG. 7B are combined to define the hollow portion 117, and the two angle steel (L-shaped steel) 119 shown in FIG. 7C are combined to form the hollow portion 117. It may be in the form of defining. Further, the triangular steel pipe 121 shown in FIG. 7D, the hexagonal steel pipe 123 shown in FIG. 7E, the octagonal steel pipe 125 shown in FIG. 127, the trapezoidal steel pipe 129 shown in FIG. 7H may be used.

The lower surfaces of FIGS. 7A to 7H are all flat and form a flat surface portion 130 close to the soymilk coagulated product T via the filter cloth belts 13 and 17. The surfaces other than the flat surface portion 130 on the lower side in the drawing are not particularly limited, such as curved and linear surfaces. In addition to the above examples, examples of the steel pipe that can be used for the caterpillar plate 38A include a quadrangle with rounded corners, a square, a rectangle, a trapezoid close to a square, and a rhombus. In addition, a shaped steel having an H-shaped, I-shaped, T-shaped, Z-shaped cross section, or a polygonal steel pipe having a pentagonal cross section may be used.

The caterpillar plate 38A includes angle steel, unequal side angle steel, channel steel (C steel), joist steel, etched steel (H steel), lip channel steel, flat bar (flat steel), etc. other than square pipes. The shaped steels of the above may be appropriately combined to form a substantially square pipe shape having a quadrangular cross section, a substantially L-shaped cross section, or the like, and a hollow portion may be provided inside.

8A to 8O are cross-sectional views of a caterpillar plate 38A provided with a heat insulating material H or a heat storage material F. 8A to 8C and 8E to 8I show a form in which the heat insulating material H or the heat storage material F is incorporated into the hollow portion 117 of each caterpillar plate 38A shown in FIGS. 7A to 7H.

FIG. 8D is a form in which only one angle steel 119 is used from the configuration shown in FIG. 8C. FIG. 8J shows a form in which the heat insulating heat insulating material H or the heat storage material F is incorporated inside the groove of the channel steel (C-shaped steel) 113. FIG. 8K shows a form in which the heat insulating heat insulating material H or the heat storage material F is laminated using the channel steel 114A having a groove depth shallower than that of the channel steel 113 of FIG. 8J. FIG. 8L shows a form in which the channel steel 114B having a groove depth deeper than that of the channel steel 113 of FIG. 8J is used.

FIG. 8M shows a form in which the heat insulating heat insulating material H or the heat storage material F is incorporated into the pair of spaces in the intermediate portion of the H-shaped steel 131. FIG. 8N shows a form in which the heat storage material F is incorporated in a pair of spaces of the H-shaped steel 131, and the heat insulating heat insulating material H or the heat storage material F is laminated on one side surface (upper surface in the drawing) of the H-shaped steel 131. Further, FIG. 8O shows a form in which the heat insulating heat insulating material H or the heat storage material F is laminated on one side of the flat steel 133.

9A to 9O are cross-sectional views of a caterpillar plate 38A including both a heat insulating heat insulating material H and a heat storage material F. 9A to 9O correspond to FIGS. 8A to 8O, respectively, and are in the form in which the heat insulating material H and the heat storage material F are laminated and arranged. As shown in FIG. 9A, the heat storage material F and the heat insulating and heat insulating material H are laminated in this order on the hollow portion of the steel pipe 111 from the flat surface portion 130 side. Similarly for the other FIGS. 9B to 9O, the heat storage material F and the heat insulating and heat insulating material H are laminated in this order from the flat surface portion 130 side.

Regarding the forms of FIGS. 9D, 9E, 9H, and 9M, the heat insulating and heat insulating material H is locally connected to the flat surface portion 130. In these forms, the heat insulating and heat insulating material H is formed so as to cover the heat storage material F.

In each of the modes shown in FIGS. 9A to 9O, heat is transferred to the heat storage material F through the flat surface portion 130 on the lower side in the figure, and heat dissipation is suppressed by the heat insulating heat insulating material H on the upper side in the figure. Therefore, the heat stored in the heat storage material F moves toward the soymilk coagulant T, and it becomes difficult to dissipate heat other than the soymilk coagulant T.

In the production of ordinary tofu, fried tofu, etc., a coagulant solution is added to soymilk (60 to 95 ° C.), coagulated and stirred for aging, and then the coagulated product is disintegrated. Reprinted (included) in. When the soymilk coagulant T is naturally dehydrated and squeezed and dehydrated and reaches the outlet of the transport path 11 of the molding apparatus 100A, continuous sheet-shaped tofu, for example, cotton tofu (dough) is obtained. Assuming that the soymilk temperature before coagulation is the initial temperature, conventionally, when the dough reaches the outlet of the molding apparatus 100 through the coagulation step and the molding step, the product temperature of the dough is significantly lowered from the initial temperature. This temperature difference ΔT was usually -15 to 20 ° C. or higher.

However, according to this configuration, the caterpillar plate 38A provided with the heat insulating heat insulating material H and the heat storage material F is used with respect to the product temperature at the inlet of the transport path 11 of the molding apparatus 100A (the temperature of the soymilk coagulated product at the outlet of the coagulant). The temperature difference ΔT from the product temperature at the outlet of the transport path 11 (the temperature of tofu at the outlet) can be set to -10 ° C or less, preferably -5 ° C or less.

It is preferable to maintain the product temperature of the tofu at the outlet of the transport path 11 of the molding apparatus 100A at least 60 ° C. or higher, preferably 70 ° C. or higher in order to improve the physical characteristics of the tofu. For example, the product temperature (upper and lower surface temperature and core temperature) of the sheet-shaped tofu at the outlet of the molding device 100A is the temperature at the time of loading the soymilk coagulated product into the molding device 100A (treatment by a breaking / leveling device after coagulation and aging). It is preferable that the temperature difference ΔT of the product temperature, which decreases with respect to the product temperature of the soymilk coagulated product before and after, is within -15 ° C. More preferably, ΔT is set to -10 ° C or less, and even more preferably, ΔT is set to -5 ° C or less. By doing so, the tofu temperature at the outlet of the transport path 11 of the molding apparatus 100A is maintained at 60 to 80 ° C.

According to the molding apparatus 100A having this configuration, the temperature of the tofu product can be raised by actively using the heating apparatus (details will be described later). By heating the tofu product temperature in the range of 60 to 100 ° C, preferably 70 to 95 ° C for a predetermined time, the effect of improving the physical properties and flavor of the tofu and the bacterial contamination in the surrounding environment of the tofu It can be expected to suppress bacterial growth, improve a hygienic environment, and have a bactericidal effect on bacteria (bacteria with low heat resistance) that are vegetative cells other than spores. However, if the tofu is heated too high, "su" will occur and the water will easily separate and the skin will become rough. Excessive heating may impair the quality of the tofu. Rather than heating, it is preferable to heat and maintain the temperature of the atmosphere surrounding the conveyors 15 and 19 in the range of 60 to 105 ° C, preferably 70 to 95 ° C. The heating time is set to be substantially the same as or less than the molding time of passing through the transport path 11, and is 1 to 3600 seconds, preferably 3 to 1200 seconds so that at least a predetermined product temperature maintenance and sterilization effect can be obtained. Set to.

The above heating device can be appropriately arranged in the feeding steps of the conveyors 15 and 19, but the steam sterilization tanks 51 and 53 (see FIG. 1) in the return step described above can be used as the heating device. That is, the steam sterilization tanks 51 and 53 heat the conveyors 15 and 19 by sterilization treatment with high-temperature steam, and the temperature of the conveyors 15 and 19 when reaching the conveyor 11 of the soymilk coagulant T is described above. Raise or maintain the temperature range. Since the steam sterilization tanks 51 and 53 are arranged in the final track portion of the return process, the transfer conveyors 15 and 19 heated by the steam sterilization tanks 51 and 53 have the transfer paths 11 of the feed process before the temperature drops significantly. Can be reached.

According to the above configuration, the soymilk coagulated product T is heated or kept warm via the conveyors 15 and 19 that have been heated and stored heat. Each caterpillar plate 38A can transfer the amount of heat possessed by the heat insulating heat insulating material H and the heat storage material F to the soymilk coagulated product T being transported to raise the temperature of the soymilk coagulated product T. Alternatively, due to their heat insulating and heat retaining properties, it is possible to delay the temperature decrease of the soymilk coagulant T due to heat dissipation and prevent the temperature decrease. In addition, the filter cloth belts 13 and 17 and the conveyors 15 and 19 can be cleaned and heated in the area of the return process in their orbit. Due to these effects, sterilization can be performed while preventing bacterial contamination and proliferation, soybean protein binding and gelation are promoted, the elasticity of tofu is increased, and the coagulation temperature and the amount of coagulant can be adjusted appropriately. .. In addition, the tofu has a fine structure, water separation is suppressed, and the outflow of umami is prevented. As a result, it becomes possible to mass-produce elastic, higher-quality tofu in a hygienic manner, and it is possible to produce delicious cotton tofu that is close to traditional handmade tofu and tofu such as fried tofu that has a fine and soft skin.

In addition, when tofu is brought into direct contact with a high-temperature heating medium, the heat denaturation of the protein becomes excessive only on the surface of the tofu, which causes deterioration of the quality of the tofu such as water separation and loss of taste or brittleness. There is also. In that respect, the above-mentioned quality deterioration can be avoided by heating the tofu through the filter cloth belts 13 and 17 by the transport conveyors 15 and 19 as in the present configuration. In addition, the phenomenon of "with cloth" can be suppressed, and manufacturing loss can be reduced. Further, since the squeeze molding time is shortened and the total length of the molding device 100A can be designed to be short, the device cost can be reduced and the installation space can be reduced.

In addition to the configuration in which the steam sterilization tanks 51 and 53 are used as the heating device, the molding apparatus 100A may be configured to be used in combination with a heating device separately provided from the steam sterilization tanks 51 and 53.

The heating device can be provided in any one of the feeding step, the returning step, and the turning step of the orbital orbits of the filter cloth belts 13, 17 and the transport conveyors 15, 19, a plurality of these steps, or a part of each step. The heating device may be configured to heat the entire heating device in addition to the configuration of heating the minimum necessary range.

Here, the heat retention of the tofu means that the vicinity of the tofu transported by the transport path 11 is preferably maintained at 60 ° C. to 105 ° C., preferably at 60 ° C. to 105 ° C. even for a short time. .. Further, it is preferable to keep the temperature in the range of 60 ° C. to 105 ° C. or raise the temperature, but even if the temperature drops a little due to heat dissipation, the temperature is kept or heated so as not to fall below the lower limit temperature of 60 ° C. Means that. Even if the temperature drops, it is temporary, and the atmospheric temperature of 60 to 105 ° C. is approximately 50% or more, preferably 70% or more of the total processing time of tofu (passing time of the transport path 11) by the molding apparatus 100A. If the temperature of the tofu product can be maintained at 60 to 100 ° C., it is within a commercially acceptable range.

As a heating device provided separately from the steam sterilization tanks 51 and 53, a steam heating device that directly blows steam at 60 to 105 ° C. to heat it under atmospheric pressure, and sprays hot water from a hot water tank adjusted to 60 to 100 ° C. Hot water spray type heating device that heats by heating, hot air blowing type heating device that blows hot air adjusted to 60 to 200 ° C (for example, heat exchange with steam), dry heat / hot air generator at 60 to 300 ° C (with a blower fan) Seeds heaters made of nichrome wire, infrared heaters, heat storage heaters, heaters such as heat pumps and blower fans), hot air heaters equipped with steam indirect heaters, hot air heating devices such as overheated steam heaters, etc. can be used. Is. In addition, the heating device is a hot water spray heating device that supplies hot water at 60 to 100 ° C, showers (sprays, sprinkles) and flushes (collects the wastewater, reheats and circulates), or a water bath. It may be in the form of a water bath heating device that utilizes steam re-evaporated from such hot water. Further, each of the above heating devices may be combined and used together as appropriate.

The nozzle for injecting steam, hot water, or hot air may be fixed, movable, or rotary. Further, a hot water tank heating type may be used in which a hot water tank for constantly storing hot water (60 to 100 ° C.) is used and the filter cloth belts 13 and 17 and the conveyors 15 and 19 are submerged in the hot water.

When a steam blowing type, hot water spraying type, or hot air blowing type heating device is used, the orbits of the filter cloth belts 13 and 17 and the conveyors 15 and 19 can be installed in a flat orbit without bending. Therefore, as compared with the hot water tank heating type, the number of parts can be reduced, and the amount of drainage and the amount of condensed water can be suppressed as much as possible. In addition, the risk of foreign matter getting mixed in the product due to dirt in the boiling water tank can be reduced.
The heating device is provided with a control device such as a temperature control function and a temperature recording function, a measurement / recording device, and the like, and is controlled to a desired temperature.

One of the heating devices is a device that transfers and stores the amount of heat retained in the high-temperature soymilk coagulated product to the conveyors 15 and 19. For example, when the temperature of the soymilk coagulated product is approximately 70 to 95 ° C., the amount of heat retained by the soymilk coagulated product itself is not released by the heat insulating and heat storing function of the caterpillar plate of the conveyor without using a heating device. , Heat dissipation can be suppressed. Even in that case, the binding of tofu can be promoted to improve elasticity and the quality of tofu can be improved as compared with the conventional method. Further, the heating device may be used as an auxiliary only in the initial stage until immediately before the soymilk coagulated product is received in the transport path of the molding device 100A. On the contrary, when the temperature of the soymilk coagulated product is 60 to 70 ° C., the temperature of the soymilk coagulated product may fall below 60 ° C. due to cooling in the subsequent step, so it is preferable to use a heating device as an auxiliary.

As described above, the transport conveyors 15 and 19 and the filter cloth belts 13 and 17 are washed and sterilized during the production of tofu, but when the tofu is washed after the end of production or when hot water is passed before the start of production (warming up), etc. It can be carried out in combination with the above-mentioned heating device at the time of non-production. In that case, the nozzles and pipes of the heating device may be used as the cleaning nozzles and cleaning pipes for spraying the cleaning liquid.

By leaving each part of the conveyors 15 and 19 other than the area where the heating device is arranged in an open state without being covered with a cover or the like, visual confirmation and inspection of every corner of the device can be easily performed.

(Third configuration example)
FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the molding apparatus of the third configuration example cut along a plane orthogonal to the transport direction. The molding apparatus 100B having this configuration includes auxiliary conveyors 141 and 143 in addition to the conveyors 15 and 19 of the second configuration example described above, and widens the filter cloth belt 17. Other configurations are the same as those of the molding apparatus 100A of the second configuration example.

The auxiliary conveyors 141 and 143 having this configuration are arranged on both side sides of the conveyors 15 and 19 in a direction orthogonal to the circumferential direction, and are independently driven in synchronization with the conveyors 15 and 19. The filter cloth belt 17 is formed in a concave cross section in such a form that both ends thereof reach the upper parts of the auxiliary conveyors 141 and 143.

According to the molding apparatus 100B of the present configuration, by surrounding the soymilk coagulated product T from four directions of the upper side, the lower side, and the left and right side sides, natural cooling from each direction is suppressed, and the soymilk coagulated product T is subjected to. Increases heat retention. As a result, it is possible to promote the binding of tofu, improve the elasticity, and suppress the phenomenon of "clothing" in which tofu adheres to the filter cloth belts 13 and 17.

Further, according to the molding apparatus 100B having this configuration, even a thick soymilk coagulated product T can be stably transported, and high-quality tofu can be produced. For example, even when molding relatively thick tofu having a molding size of 10 to 150 mm, the auxiliary conveyors 141 and 143 support the sides so that the tofu does not lose its shape and is squeezed stably. Molding is possible.

(Fourth configuration example)
FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the molding apparatus of the fourth configuration example cut along a plane orthogonal to the transport direction. The molding apparatus 100C having this configuration includes filter cloth belts 145 and 147 corresponding to the auxiliary conveyors 141 and 143 of the third configuration example described above. The orbit of the filter cloth belt 145 is arranged on the outside (side) of the auxiliary conveyor 141, and the filter cloth belt 147 is arranged on the outside (side) of the auxiliary conveyor 143. Both ends of the filter cloth belt 17 along the transport conveyor 19 are arranged below the auxiliary conveyors 141 and 143 and the filter cloth belts 145 and 147. Other configurations are the same as those of the molding apparatus 100B of the third configuration example.

According to the molding apparatus 100C having this configuration, the soymilk coagulated product T is individually surrounded by the conveyors 15 and 19 and the auxiliary conveyors 141 and 143 via the filter cloth belt from four directions. Therefore, as described above, natural cooling can be suppressed, heat retention can be improved, and heating can be performed efficiently. Further, even a thick soymilk coagulated product T can be stably transported, the binding of tofu is promoted, the elasticity is improved, and the "clothing" phenomenon can be suppressed.

(Fifth configuration example)
FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the molding apparatus of the fifth configuration example cut along a plane orthogonal to the transport direction. The molding apparatus 100D having this configuration does not include the filter cloth belts 145 and 147 in the molding apparatus 100C of the fourth configuration example described above, and the auxiliary conveyors 141 and 143 are integrally configured with the conveyor 19. That is, the transport conveyor 149 on the lower side of this configuration is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section having side wall portions that are vertically hung at both ends thereof. The filter cloth belt 17 on the lower side is formed to have a concave cross section, and both ends thereof reach the upper end of the side wall portion of the conveyor 149. Other configurations are the same as those of the molding apparatus 100C of the fourth configuration example.

In the molding apparatus 100D having this configuration, both ends of the caterpillar plate on the lower conveyor 149 are vertically installed as side walls. As a result, the lower conveyor 149 is formed in a concave shape in the feeding process. With this configuration, the molding apparatus 100D only needs to be provided with a pair of conveyors 15 and 149 on the lower side and the upper side, and does not require independent left and right side auxiliary conveyors. Therefore, the device cost can be reduced.

By surrounding the soymilk coagulated product T from four directions by the above two conveyors 15 and 149, it is possible to suppress natural cooling, improve heat retention, and efficiently heat the soymilk coagulated product T in the same manner as described above, although it has a simple structure. Further, even if the soymilk coagulated product T has a large thickness, stable transportation can be performed, the binding of tofu is promoted, the elasticity is improved, and the "clothing" phenomenon can be suppressed.

(6th configuration example)
Next, a sixth configuration example will be described in which a partial cover covering the heating device is provided on the outside of the heating device provided facing the conveyors 15 and 19.
FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the molding apparatus of the sixth configuration example cut along the plane along the transport direction. In the molding apparatus 100E having this configuration, the partial cover E is arranged on the side opposite to the transport path 11 of the soymilk coagulated product T in the feed process of the transport conveyor 15 at a distance from the transport conveyor 15. Further, one or a plurality of heating devices G are arranged between the partial cover E and the conveyor 15. That is, the partial cover E is arranged so as to cover a predetermined range of the conveyor 15 so that the heat energy from the heating device G arranged inside the partial cover E is efficiently transmitted to the conveyor 15.

Similarly, for the conveyor 19, one or more heating devices G and a partial cover E are arranged. Each of the caterpillar plates of the conveyors 15 and 19 may be a flat plate-shaped caterpillar plate 38 as in the first configuration example shown in FIG. 2, or a hollow portion having a hollow portion as in the second configuration example shown in FIG. It may be a caterpillar plate 38A having a structure. As the heating device G, the heating devices having various configurations described above can be used.

According to the molding apparatus 100E having this configuration, a partial cover E surrounding the orbits of the conveyors 15 and 19 is provided, and the inside of the partial cover E is heated by a scattering type of steam or hot air, a hot water spraying type, or the like. It is heated by the device G. Therefore, the heat energy from the heating device G is not unnecessarily dissipated, and the area in which the partial cover E is provided can be efficiently heated. With this configuration, at least during the production of tofu, the core temperature and surface temperature of the tofu, or the conveyors 15 and 19 and their surroundings can be maintained at 60 ° C. to 105 ° C. in the partial cover E, and the tofu can be maintained. It can improve the physical characteristics of tofu and sterilize it while preventing secondary bacterial contamination and growth. The partial cover E is arranged so as to surround the minimum necessary range in or around the orbits of the conveyors 15 and 19. As a result, the necessary heat treatment can be performed while minimizing the amount of heat supplied by the heating device G.

Further, the partial cover E and the heating device G are arranged at arbitrary positions such as the feeding process, the returning process, and the turning process of the transfer conveyors 15 and 19, and may be arranged at a plurality of places as appropriate. When the transfer conveyors 15 and 19 are locally covered, the partial cover E can swiftly perform accurate temperature control on the covered area, and can perform heat treatment with a minimum amount of heat and high responsiveness. .. Further, the partial cover E is not limited to covering a part of the conveyors 15 and 19, but may be a cover that covers the whole.

Further, the molding apparatus 100E may further be provided with a drainage device for draining the heat medium (steam condensed water, steam, hot air, etc.) to the outside of the partial cover E, or an exhaust device for exhausting the heat medium (steam condensed water, steam, hot air, etc.). As a result, the conveyors 15 and 19 can be smoothly and continuously operated for a long time. Further, by providing an auxiliary heating portion for auxiliary heating the atmosphere outside the partial cover E, a desired heating temperature can be quickly reached.

The partial cover E is a stainless steel plate or a resin plate (for example, acrylic resin (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate resin (PET)) from the viewpoint of efficiently using the heating device G and suppressing heat dissipation to the outside air and release loss of the heating medium. , A transparent plate material such as vinyl chloride resin (PVC) or polypropylene resin (PP)) or a cover with a heat insulating material is preferable.

The partial cover E can be provided in at least one step, a part or most of the orbits of the transport conveyors 15 and 19 and the feeding step, the returning step, and the turning step in the vicinity thereof. Further, the partial cover E is preferably formed so as to surround a predetermined range of the conveyors 15 and 19 in a tunnel shape. In particular, in the feeding process of the conveyors 15 and 19, the conveyors 15 and 19 and the soymilk coagulated product T to be conveyed may be locally provided so as to surround the minimum range as much as possible.

Further, a nozzle for automatic cleaning for injecting a cleaning liquid or the like may be provided inside the partial cover E. In that case, the partial cover E minimizes the spraying range of the cleaning liquid, and the transfer conveyors 15 and 19 can be efficiently cleaned. Further, if the nozzle for automatic cleaning is also used as a nozzle for injecting steam, hot water, or hot air provided for cleaning the conveyors 15 and 19, a lower cost configuration can be achieved.

Then, the partial cover E may be provided with a window or the like that can be partially opened and closed. In that case, it becomes easier to visually check after cleaning and inspect every corner of the device. This partial cover E is a sealing member (a resin / rubber member that can be sealed or sealed) or a water-sealing type that prevents the heating medium from leaking into the inlets and outlets, openings, gaps, etc. of the conveyors 11 of the conveyors 15 and 19. Sealing means and the like may be provided as appropriate.

As described above, the partial cover E may be a cover that covers the orbits of the conveyors 15 and 19, the soymilk coagulated product T to be conveyed, and the vicinity thereof within the minimum necessary range. When the inside of the partial cover E is heated or cleaned by the heating device G or the cleaning device, the smaller the volume inside the partial cover E, the more the heating energy (running cost) can be suppressed, and the temperature shortage and temperature unevenness can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to intensively and centrally manage only the minimum necessary region and the portion near or close to the soymilk coagulant T and tofu. In addition, it is possible to narrow down the parts to be cleaned intensively to details, which is also preferable in terms of hygiene management. The cover arranged on the lower side of the transport path 11 may also serve as a saucer or a storage tank for the heating medium.

By the way, the "with cloth" problem that occurs in the molding apparatus often occurs in the lower filter cloth belt 17, and the "with cloth" problem that occurs in the molding device for fried dough is particularly the upper filter cloth. It is known that it often occurs on the belt 13. In a molding machine such as cotton tofu, it is more likely to occur on the lower filter cloth belt 17. Therefore, in order to more reliably solve this "clothing" problem, a partial cover E is provided only on at least one of the conveyors on the lower side or the upper side of the transport path 11, and the partial covers E are further heated. It is advisable to provide a heating device G. Further, it is preferable to provide the heat insulating material H and the heat storage material F on the caterpillar plate.

(7th configuration example)
FIG. 14 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view cut along a plane orthogonal to the transport direction of the molding apparatus of the seventh configuration example. The molding device 100F having this configuration has a partial cover E and a heating device G added to the molding device 100C shown in FIG. 11, and other configurations are the same as those of the molding device 100C.

The molding apparatus 100F having this configuration includes a partial cover E that surrounds the transfer conveyors 15A and 19A and the filter cloth belts 13A and 17A in the feed process, and the auxiliary conveyors 141A and 143A and the filter cloth belts 145A and 147A in the feed process. On the outside of the partial cover E, the transfer conveyors 15B and 19B and the filter cloth belts 13B and 17B in the return process, and the auxiliary conveyors 141B and 143B and the filter cloth belts 145B and 147B in the return process are arranged.

A plurality of heating devices G are arranged inside the partial cover E. The heating device G is arranged between the partial cover E and the conveyors 15A and 19A, and between the partial cover E and the auxiliary conveyors 141A and 143A, respectively. The transport conveyors 15 and 19 and the auxiliary conveyors 141 and 143 are each driven by a chain 39 to transport the soymilk coagulated product T.

By integrally covering the predetermined range of the feeding process of the transport conveyors 15, 19, the auxiliary conveyors 141, 143, and the filter cloth belts 13, 17, 145, 147, the partial cover E can efficiently heat the inside of the partial cover E. It becomes easy to control the atmospheric temperature in the partial cover E to be constant. As a result, the soymilk coagulant T can be conveyed while heating the heat insulating heat insulating material and the heat storage material contained in the conveyors 15 and 19 and the auxiliary conveyors 141 and 143, and the temperature of the soymilk coagulated product T can be set in a predetermined temperature range. Therefore, high-quality tofu with a good texture and taste can be obtained hygienically.

(8th configuration example)
FIG. 15A is a schematic partial side view of the molding apparatus of the eighth configuration example. The molding device 100G having this configuration includes a partial cover E that covers the area of the feeding process of the conveyors 15 and 19, and a heating device such as a steam injection type, a hot air spray type, or a hot water spray type inside the partial cover E. G is provided. The orbits of the conveyors 15 and 19 in the illustrated example include the steam sterilization tanks 51 and 53, the alkaline cleaning tanks 43 and 45, the acid cleaning tanks 47 and 49, and the washing and cleaning units 55, 57, 59 and 61 shown in FIG. Although it is a track that does not pass through, a partial cover E and a heating device G may be provided during the transportation of the above-mentioned parts for cleaning and sterilization shown in FIG.

The partial cover E and the heating device G of this configuration are arranged in the orbits of the conveyors 15 and 19, respectively. The partial cover E is arranged on the side opposite to the transport path 11 side of the heating device G. In the conveyors 15 and 19, the pressing force is increased by a pressurizing means (spring, air cylinder, etc.) (not shown) toward the downstream side in the transporting direction of the soymilk coagulated product T, and the soymilk coagulated product T is compacted. They are arranged so that the mutual approach distance is small. In the illustrated example, an example in which the conveyor 15 is tilted with respect to the conveyor 19 is shown. Not limited to this, the conveyor 19 may be inclined with respect to the conveyor 15. According to the molding apparatus 100G having this configuration, as the soymilk coagulant T (not shown) is conveyed downstream in the transport direction by the conveyors 15 and 19, the soymilk coagulate is strongly squeezed in the thickness direction, and whey and the like are more reliably pressed. It is discharged. As a result, the soymilk coagulated product T can be molded into a thicker tofu.

The partial cover E has a tunnel shape when viewed from the side and covers a predetermined range of the conveyors 15 and 19. Therefore, the amount of heat from the heating device G is transmitted with high efficiency within the predetermined ranges of the conveyors 15 and 19. The heating region of the conveyors 15 and 19 is not limited to the region of the feeding process of the conveyors 15 and 19.

FIG. 15B shows a schematic partial side view of the molding apparatus of the first modification. In this molding apparatus 100H, the partial covers Ea and Eb are arranged on both the front and back sides in the return process of the conveyors 15 and 19, respectively. Further, the heating device G is arranged in each of the partial covers Ea and Eb. By arranging the partial covers Ea and Eb and the heating device G in the return process, even if the caterpillar plate 38A includes the heat storage material F having a large heat capacity, the necessary and sufficient heat treatment can be performed before returning to the feed process.

FIG. 15C shows a schematic partial side view of the molding apparatus of the second modification. In this molding apparatus 100I, the entire area of the return process of the conveyors 15 and 19 is covered with the partial cover E, respectively. The heating device G is arranged in the orbits of the conveyors 15 and 19, and between the area of the return process of the conveyors 15 and 19 and the partial cover E, respectively. By covering the entire area of the return process with the partial cover E, the entire transfer conveyors 15 and 19 are efficiently heated. As a result, the temperatures of the conveyors 15 and 19 can be controlled uniformly, and uneven heating is less likely to occur.

FIG. 15D shows a schematic partial side view of the molding apparatus of the third modification. In this molding apparatus 100J, a part of the transfer conveyors 15 and 19 on the downstream side of the return process and a region of the turning process are covered by the partial cover E, respectively. The heating device G is arranged between the partial cover E and the conveyors 15 and 19. That is, in this configuration, the partial cover E and the heating device G are arranged in the region immediately before reaching the feeding process in the returning process of the conveyors 15 and 19. As a result, the caterpillar plate 38A can be heated immediately before reaching the feeding process, and the heating loss due to heat dissipation during the orbital movement is reduced. Therefore, the heat treatment can be performed with the minimum required heating energy.

FIG. 15E shows a schematic partial side view of the molding apparatus of the fourth modification. In this molding apparatus 100K, the partial covers Ea and Eb and the heating apparatus G are arranged at positions on the downstream side of the return process of the conveyors 15 and 19 and entering the feed process, respectively. The partial covers Ea and Eb and the heating device G are provided at positions facing each other on both the front and back sides of the conveyors 15 and 19, and simultaneously heat the same areas on both the front and back sides of the conveyors 15 and 19. As a result, the heat treatment can be intensively performed on the downstream side of the return process, and the space for heating can be compactly organized.

(9th configuration example)
FIG. 16A is a schematic partial side view of the molding apparatus of the ninth configuration example. In the molding apparatus 100L having this configuration, substantially all of the feed process, return process, and turning process of the transfer conveyors 15 and 19 are covered with partial covers Ea, Eb, and Ec. The partial cover Ea covers almost all of the return process and the turning process of the transfer conveyors 15 and 19, and is arranged on the side opposite to the transfer path 11. The partial covers Eb and Ec are arranged in the orbits of the conveyors 15 and 19, respectively. The partial cover Eb covers the return process and the partial cover Ec covers the feed process.

The heating device G is arranged between the area of the return process of the transfer conveyors 15 and 19 and each partial cover Ea, and between the area of the feed process of the transfer conveyors 15 and 19 and each partial cover Ec. Then, an overall cover Ez that covers the entire apparatus of the molding apparatus 100L is further arranged.

The molding apparatus 100L having this configuration has a double (multiplex) cover structure by these partial covers Ea, Eb, and Ec and the entire cover Ez arranged on the outside thereof. In particular, the overall cover Ez is preferably an overall cover having high transparency on substantially the entire surface from the viewpoint of management such as inspection. Therefore, heat resistance is not required as the material of the entire cover Ez, and a transparent resin plate material (polyethylene terephthalate resin, vinyl chloride resin, polycarbonate resin, etc.) is preferable.

Further, by appropriately providing exhaust equipment, intake equipment, drainage equipment, etc. on the entire cover Ez, it is possible to suppress the emission of heating media such as hot air, steam, and hot water from the heating device into the working environment in the molding device 100L. , It is possible to prevent the working environment from becoming hot and humid. Furthermore, by using the entire cover Ez together with the partial covers Ea, Eb, and Ec, it is possible to more reliably prevent the quality of tofu from deteriorating due to water droplets falling or foreign matter being mixed. In addition, the manufacturing process of tofu is not affected by the environmental temperature, the influence of the initial temperature of the machine is reduced, and the influence of the tofu on the product temperature fluctuation can be reduced.

Generally, when parts such as a position sensor and an air cylinder are provided inside the heated partial covers Ea, Eb, and Ec, high heat resistance and a high degree of waterproofness are required, and the equipment cost increases. On the other hand, in this configuration, if parts are provided on the outside of the partial covers Ea, Eb, and Ec and on the inside of the entire cover Ez, heat resistance and waterproofness are not particularly required, and standard parts as before are used. Relatively inexpensive parts can be used. Therefore, according to this configuration, even if various parts are additionally installed in the device, an increase in device cost can be suppressed.

FIG. 16B shows a schematic partial side view of the molding apparatus of the modified example. The molding device 100M includes an overall cover Ez that covers the entire molding apparatus 100M, and a heating device G arranged in the overall cover Ez. In this configuration, no partial cover is placed. Other configurations are the same as those of the molding apparatus 100L shown in FIG. 16A.

According to this configuration, since the conveyors 15 and 19 are covered with the entire cover Ez, heat dissipation of tofu can be suppressed even if the partial cover is not arranged. Further, when the caterpillar plate 38A has a heat insulating heat retaining function and a heat storage function, the heat dissipation suppressing effect can be synergistically enhanced, and the heat retaining effect can be improved. Then, the heating energy from the heating device G is likely to be retained in the entire cover Ez, so that the energy consumption of the heating device G can be reduced.

As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and is modified by those skilled in the art based on the combination of the configurations of the embodiments with each other, the description of the specification, and the well-known technique. , And application are also planned of the present invention, and are included in the range for which protection is sought.

A treatment equivalent to the cleaning and sterilization treatment of the filter cloth belt performed by the molding apparatus 100 was verified using an element tester. The contents and results will be explained below.
The cleaning and sterilization conditions of this verification are the most heat-resistant among the spore-forming bacteria isolated from tofu products in the past in order to give the molding equipment hygiene that can guarantee the best-by date (4.4 ° C, 65 days). Inoculation, washing and sterilization tests were carried out using spore-forming bacteria equal to or higher than those with strong heat resistance (D _{100 ° C. = 4.57 minutes) and Bacillus cereus, which has stronger heat resistance.} The above-mentioned D value is a numerical value indicating the heat resistance of the microorganism, and represents the time (minutes) for reducing the number of bacteria to 1/10 at a predetermined temperature.

<Preparation>
-Sample cloth for the filter cloth belt of the molding device Material: Polypropylene filter cloth Size: 10 cm x 10 cm
・ Commercially available cotton tofu that has been sterilized by boiling ・ Alkaline washing tank Alkaline solution: Sodium hydroxide solution Concentration 2% pH 13.2 Temperature 90 ° C
-Acid washing tank Acid solution: Citric acid solution Concentration 1% pH 2.4 Temperature 90 ° C
・ High pressure washer Water pressure: 1MPa
Injection condition: The nozzle is injected while moving the nozzle in a range of 70 cm in width at a reciprocating speed in 4 seconds.
・ Steam sterilizer (batch pot)
Steam sterilization temperature: 100 ° C

<Bacterial species to inoculate>
· Spores Mix: 100 ° C., cell concentration those having more than 20 minutes of heat resistance: 1.0 × 10 ⁷ (number / g) or more, bacteria liquid amount 20.8 (g)
Cereus (B. cereus spores): 100 ° C., cell concentration those having more than 30 minutes of heat resistance: 1.0 × 10 ⁷ (number / g) or more, bacteria liquid amount 18.3 (g)

<Verification method>
The following steps 1 to 6 were carried out, and the general viable cell count was measured under each washing and sterilizing condition.
(Step 1)
Thaw the frozen bacterial solution at room temperature. The spore-forming mix is boiled at 100 ° C. for 10 minutes to sterilize the vegetative cells and activate the spores. Since Bacillus cereus has already been made into spores only, it is used as it is.
(Step 2)
Weigh 300 g of commercially available cotton tofu and 20.8 g of spore-forming fungus mix solution (Test Group 1), and stir with a mixer until a paste (assuming the worst conditions of coagulation state) is obtained. Weigh 300 g of commercially available cotton tofu and 18.3 g of Bacillus cereus solution (test group 2), and stir with a mixer until a paste (assuming the worst conditions of coagulation state) is obtained.
(Step 3)
The paste obtained in step 2 is applied to the sample cloth of the filter cloth belt with a spatula (approx. 3 g per 10 cm × 10 cm) and left for 20 minutes.
(Step 4)
The sample before cleaning is placed in a sterile bag and stored in an environment with an atmospheric temperature of 4 ° C.
(Step 5)
After washing, the sample is washed and sterilized in the order of St.1 to St.6 under the conditions 1-1 to 2-2 shown in Table 1 below, placed in a sterile bag, and stored in an environment with an atmospheric temperature of 4 ° C. For alkaline cleaning and acid cleaning, the sample cloth is immersed for a predetermined time using a tank that can be heated by steam injection. The steam sterilization tank uses a cooker for heating Wu, and the sample cloth is set in the cooker while injecting steam into the cooker. After that, the cooker is covered and the inside of the cooker is sealed and sterilized.

(Step 6)
The stored pre-wash sample and post-wash sample are opened, and the general viable cell count of each is measured. The general viable cell count is determined by adding 100 g of a sterilized phosphate buffer solution to a sample cloth, extracting the bacteria, and measuring the number of the extracted bacteria.

<Result>
The results of carrying out each of the above steps are shown in Tables 2 and 3 below.

As for the number of general viable bacteria, a considerable number of general viable bacteria were observed in Experimental Examples 1 and 10 which were not washed or sterilized. On the other hand, all of Experimental Examples 3 to 5, 7 and 9 of the spore-forming fungus mix in Test Group 1 in which all of alkaline washing, acid washing and steam sterilization were performed were negative. In addition, all of Experimental Examples 11 to 18 of Bacillus cereus in Test Group 2 were negative.
As a result of this verification, even if the sample cloth is contaminated with spore bacteria that are stronger than _{those with the strongest heat resistance (D 100 ° C} = 4.57 minutes) among the spore bacteria isolated from tofu products in the past, high-pressure washing, It was clarified that a negative result could be achieved by performing a combination of alkaline cleaning, acid cleaning, and steam sterilization. From the viewpoint of suppressing the running cost of the molding apparatus, it is considered that 111 seconds is sufficient for the alkaline cleaning time.

13,17 Filter cloth belt 15,19 Conveyor conveyor 38,38A Caterpillar plate 43,45 Alkaline cleaning tank 47,49 Acid cleaning tank 51,53 Steam sterilization tank 55,57,59,61,63,65 Washing unit 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E, 100F, 100G, 100H, 100I, 100J, 100K, 100L, 100M molding equipment (continuous molding equipment for tofu)
149 Conveyor H Insulation heat insulation material F Heat storage material G Heating device T Soymilk coagulant

Claims (10)

A pair of an endless filter cloth belt that circulates on the outside and an endless transfer conveyor that circulates on the inside are provided in pairs on the upper and lower sides, and the soymilk coagulated product is conveyed while being sandwiched between the upper and lower filter cloth belts and the transfer conveyor. It is a continuous molding device for tofu that is squeezed and molded.
In the feeding step from the start end of the transport path where the soymilk coagulated product is sandwiched to the end of the transport path among the orbits of the filter cloth belt and the transport conveyor, the filter cloth belt and the filter cloth belt in the feed process A heating unit on the feed process side that heats a predetermined range of the conveyor to keep it warm or sterilize it.
In the return step from the end of the transport path to the start of the transport path again, the heating section on the return step side that heats the filter cloth belt and the predetermined range of the transport conveyor in the return step, respectively. ,
A continuous molding device for tofu, which is characterized by being provided with. The continuous molding apparatus for tofu according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the heating unit on the feed process side and the heating unit on the return process side is provided with a steam nozzle for injecting heated steam. A claim characterized in that at least one of the heating portion on the feed process side and the heating portion on the return process side has a partition member surrounding the predetermined range and heats an internal space surrounded by the partition member. The continuous molding apparatus for tofu according to claim 1 or 2. The continuous molding apparatus for tofu according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the atmospheric temperature in the predetermined range heated by the heating unit is 60 ° C. or higher and 105 ° C. or lower. .. The fourth aspect of claim 4, wherein the filter cloth belt and the conveyor are driven at a circulation speed such that the passing time per passage when passing through the predetermined range is 1 second or more and 3600 seconds or less. Continuous molding device for tofu. Any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the conveyor is a plate conveyor in which a large number of plate members using at least one of flat steel, shaped steel, and steel pipe are arranged in an endless manner. The continuous molding apparatus for tofus described in item 1. The continuous molding apparatus for tofu according to claim 6, wherein the plate member has a hollow structure having a hollow portion, and at least one of a heat insulating heat insulating material and a heat storage material is arranged in the hollow portion. The continuous molding apparatus for tofu according to claim 6, wherein the plate member has a hollow structure having a hollow portion, and the hollow portion includes a heat insulating region sealed under reduced pressure. .. A pair of an endless filter cloth belt that circulates on the outside and an endless transfer conveyor that circulates on the inside are provided in pairs on the upper and lower sides, and the soymilk coagulated product is conveyed while being sandwiched between the upper and lower filter cloth belts and the transfer conveyor. It is a continuous molding device for tofu that is squeezed and molded.
In the feeding step from the start end of the transport path where the soymilk coagulated product is sandwiched to the end of the transport path among the orbits of the filter cloth belt and the transport conveyor, the filter cloth belt and the filter cloth belt in the feed process A heating unit for heating or sterilizing a predetermined range of the conveyor is provided.
The conveyor is a plate conveyor in which a large number of plate members using at least one of flat steel, shaped steel, and steel pipe are arranged in an endless manner.
The plate member has a hollow structure having a hollow portion, and the tofu continuous molding apparatus is characterized in that at least one of a heat insulating heat insulating material and a heat storage material is arranged in the hollow portion. A pair of an endless filter cloth belt that circulates on the outside and an endless transfer conveyor that circulates on the inside are provided in pairs on the upper and lower sides, and the soymilk coagulated product is conveyed while being sandwiched between the upper and lower filter cloth belts and the transfer conveyor. It is a continuous molding device for tofu that is squeezed and molded.
In the feeding step from the start end of the transport path where the soymilk coagulated product is sandwiched to the end of the transport path among the orbits of the filter cloth belt and the transport conveyor, the filter cloth belt and the filter cloth belt in the feed process A heating unit for heating or sterilizing a predetermined range of the conveyor is provided.
The conveyor is a plate conveyor in which a large number of plate members using at least one of flat steel, shaped steel, and steel pipe are arranged in an endless manner.
Said plate member is a hollow structure having a hollow portion, the hollow portion is continuous molding device beans Kusarui, characterized in that it is configured to include a heat insulating region sealed in a vacuum state.

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