JP2002045139A - Packing apparatus of tofu - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sanitary and inexpensive packing apparatus enabling efficiently Tofu (bean curd) to pack without damaging the Tofu even by an unskilled worker and keeping high packing efficiency even in the case of divid ing a block of Tofu into two and packing in twin packs. SOLUTION: This Tofu packing apparatus is composed of a charging part to charge a block of Tofu cut to a prescribed size, a transfer part having a pushing mechanism to push the charged Tofu upon a pack, an opening mechanism for dropping the Tofu pushed out upon the pack into the pack and a feeding mechanism to continuously feed empty packs under the opening mechanism.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for packing tofu, which has been cut into a predetermined size and stored in a flush tank, in advance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an apparatus for packing tofu, for example, as described in JP-A-10-33134, a tofu block is placed on a belt conveyor provided in a water tank, and the tofu block is cut. There is known an automatic tofu-packing device for transporting tofu to a predetermined size and storing it in a pack provided in a water tank.

[0003] However, such a packing apparatus is suitable for use in a large-scale production of a tofu factory because the apparatus is large and expensive. Even if it is provided, tofu is not a product that can be laid and stored, so the operation efficiency is rather low and it is uneconomical, so all packing was done manually.

[0004]

However, in manual packing, the tofu is packed with one hand, and the tofu is packed with the other hand. There are many defective products, so we had to rely on skilled people.

[0005] In recent years, since a small number of family members have been formed, one tofu is divided into two parts and stored in a pack having two storage recesses. Although it is commercially available that can be stored in a sealed state, the work of storing tofu in such a twin pack by hand requires twice as much work, so even a skilled person can work efficiently. Was halved.

[0006] In addition, although devices for cutting tofu blocks one by one are widespread, there is no equipment that cuts one to two pieces in a rational manner, and one tofu is divided into two pieces by a kitchen knife or the like. Later, packing was a lot of work.

[0007] As for the tofu packing device, there are two types:
As shown in the packaging device for tofu and the like of No. 62-182201, there is a method of performing in a hollow, but in the case of performing in water, there is little hygiene problem because tofu fragments and whey water are eliminated by circulation of water However, in the case of a device packed in a hollow package, tofu fragments and tofu residue and whey water formed by rubbing the bottom surface during transportation may remain in the transportation path etc. and cause rot or bacteria. There was a problem.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described problems in the conventional packing of tofu, and enables efficient packing of tofu even by non-experts. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hygienic and inexpensive packing device without lowering the work efficiency even when divided and stored in a twin pack, without damaging the tofu.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, as a specific means therefor, a feeding section for feeding a tofu cut into a predetermined size and an extruding mechanism for extruding the fed tofu onto a pack are provided. And an opening / closing mechanism for dropping the tofu extruded onto the pack by the pushing mechanism into the pack, and a supply mechanism for continuously supplying the pack to a lower portion of the opening / closing mechanism.

[0010] The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that an input section for inputting the tofu cut into a predetermined size, a conveying section provided with an extruding mechanism for extruding the input tofu onto the pack, and an extruding mechanism. A cutting blade for dividing the tofu extruded on the pack into two parts, an opening / closing mechanism for dropping the cut tofu into the pack, and an opening / closing mechanism for opening and closing the pack having two recesses for accommodating the cut tofu. And a supply mechanism for continuously supplying the lower part of the container.

The cutting blade is formed so as to be thicker as it goes from the cutting edge toward the body, and water discharge holes are respectively formed at predetermined positions on both side surfaces of the cutting blade so that water supplied from the outside passes through the inside of the cutting blade. It is preferable that water is discharged from the water discharge hole so that a water film is formed between the cutting blade and the tofu.

[0012] One or more water discharge holes are opened at a location on the upper surface of the conveying section where the tofu contacts, and a water film is formed between the bottom surface of the tofu and the upper surface of the conveying section by the water discharged from the water discharging holes. It is preferred that this be done.

It is preferable that a plurality of drain grooves are formed at predetermined positions on the upper surface of the transport section so that the tofu residue and whey water are drained together with the water discharged from the water discharge holes.

The water discharged from the water discharge hole is an acidic water or an alkaline water produced by an electrolytic water making machine, and the apparatus may be washed and sterilized with these waters.

The water discharged from the water discharge hole may be any one of ultraviolet sterilized water, sodium hypochlorite dissolved water and ozone dissolved water.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, a tofu packing device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the tofu packing device 1 of the present invention forms a transport section 4 having an input section 3 for inputting the tofu 2 cut into single pieces, An extruding mechanism 6 for extruding the tofu 2 on the upper part of the pack 5 is provided in the transport section 4, and the tofu 2 is extruded on the upper surface of the opening and closing mechanism 7 by the extruding mechanism 6, and then the opening and closing mechanism 7 is opened. It falls and is accommodated in the pack 5.

The packs 5 are successively transferred one by one from a pack supply mechanism 8 on a belt conveyor 9 and temporarily stopped immediately below the opening / closing mechanism 7, and the opening / closing mechanism 7 is opened, and the tofu 2 is placed in the pack 5. After being accommodated, belt conveyor 9
Thus, the pack 5 is conveyed to the packaging machine side for sealing.

The packing device 1 is arranged adjacent to a bleaching tank 11 in which a large number of tofus 2 are stored, so that a charging section 3 for charging the tofu 2 faces the bleaching tank 11. I have.

In this case, a guide member 10 in which the input section 3 is fan-shaped and whose width decreases toward the transport section 4 and whose entrance to the transport section 4 is set slightly wider than the width of the tofu 2 is provided.
If it is provided so as to be inclined downward toward the transport unit 4 side, the tofu 2 can slide on the inclined surface only by being placed on the guide member 10 and be transported to the transport unit 4 one by one.

The transport section 4 is slightly larger than the tofu 2 for one chow, and an extruding mechanism 6 provided on one side of the transport section 4 is sent to the transport section 4. Tofu 2
And a cylinder 14 for reciprocating the rod 13 with a push plate 12 for extruding the tofu 2 in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction of the input unit 3. It is extruded.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a water discharge hole 15 is appropriately formed on the surface of the charging section 3 and the transport section 4 where the tofu 2 is transported, and on the lower surface of the charging section 3 and the transport section 4. Water is discharged from the water discharge hole 15 through the provided water supply channel 16, and a water film a is formed between the bottom surface of the tofu 2 and the upper surfaces of the input unit 3 and the transport unit 4, and the tofu 2 slides on the water film a. So that the tofu 2 does not collapse or is scraped.

Further, a drain groove 17 for discharging the water discharged from the water discharge hole 15 is formed in the input section 3 and the transport section 4, and together with the discharged water, the residue of the tofu 2 and the whey water are discharged. The flushed water flows from the drainage groove 17 to the drainage channel 18 so that the input section 3 and the transport section 4 are kept clean.

The water discharged from the discharge hole 15 is as follows:
If acidic water and alkaline water produced by an electrolytic water making machine are used and these waters are alternately flowed, washing and sterilization of the charging section 3 and the transporting section 4 can be performed. The alkaline water is finally discharged from the drain 17 as neutralized water.

Further, as the water discharged from the discharge hole 15, sterilized water produced by an ultraviolet sterilizer, ozone sterilized ozone water and hypochlorite dissolved water, or the like can be used.

Next, the tofu 2 sent to the transport unit 4 is pushed out to the upper surface of the opening and closing mechanism 7 by the push plate 12, and the opening and closing mechanism 7 is adjacent to the transport unit 4 as shown in FIG. It comprises an opening 19 provided, a slide plate 20 for sliding the opening 19 horizontally to open and close, a rod 21 for sliding the slide plate 20, and a cylinder 22;
The tofu 2 is moved by the push plate 12 to the slide plate 20 of the opening / closing mechanism 7.
When the pack 5 is transferred to the lower surface of the slide plate 20 by the belt conveyor 9, the rod 21 operates, the slide plate 20 slides, the opening 19 is opened, and the tofu 2 falls downward and the pack 5 is accommodated.

The tofu-packing device 1 constructed as described above has a reciprocating movement of the push plate 12 of the pushing mechanism 6 and an opening / closing mechanism 7.
Is controlled so that the timing of the opening and closing of the pack 5 and the timing of the supply of the pack 5 are linked. For example, if the tofu 2 enters the transporting section 4 and is detected by a sensor or the like to operate the apparatus, the worker Can be packed simply by placing the tofu 2 from the water tank 11 on the scooping portion 3, so that the work efficiency is good. If a skilled person packs the tofu manually, about 700 pieces can be packed per hour. It is possible to pack about 1800 pieces per hour even if the person is not.

FIGS. 5 to 8 are explanatory views showing another embodiment of the tofu packing device 1 according to the present invention. This device has two concave portions by dividing the tofu 2 into two parts. This is a device for producing packed tofu stored in the pack 23. The same members as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In this embodiment, a cutting blade 25 is provided at the center of the upper part of the slide plate 20 of the opening / closing mechanism 7 in the above-described packing device 1 so that the cutting edge 24 faces the push plate 12.

The cutting blade 25 is formed so as to be gradually thicker from the cutting edge 24 to the body portion 26, and the cutting edge 24 protrudes from the opening 19 of the opening / closing mechanism 7 toward the transport section 4.

The push plate 12 of the push-out mechanism 6 is composed of push plates 12a and 12b which are arranged with a portion corresponding to the cutting edge 24 of the cutting blade 25 separated from the push plates 12a and 12b.
2b is attached to the front end of each rod 13 by branching the front of the rod 13, and the tofu 2 is pressed by the push plates 12a and 12b.
When the tofu 2 is conveyed to the opening and closing mechanism 7, the tofu 2 is cut in half by the cutting blade 25, and the cutting edge 24 is pressed by the push plates 12a, 12a.
The tofu 2 is reliably cut off by entering the gap of the separated portion b.

The body 2 of the cutting blade 25 is formed thick.
Water discharge holes 27, 27 are respectively formed at predetermined positions on both side surfaces of 6, and the water discharge holes 27, 27 are connected to a water supply pipe 29 through a water passage 28 formed in an upper portion of the body 26. .

When the tofu 2 is cut, the water outlet 2
By releasing water from the cutouts 7 and 27, a water film b is formed between the side surface of the cutting blade 25 and the cut surface of the tofu 2 to reduce friction, so that the deformation of the tofu 2 during cutting is prevented, and the slide plate is prevented. 20 and drop the tofu 2
Since the tofu 2 is well separated from zero, the tofu 2 can be accurately contained in the pack 23.

On the other hand, the pack 23 is provided with a partition wall 30 having a predetermined width in the center, and two recesses 31 and 31 are formed so that the cut tofu 2 can be individually sealed. Since the tofu 25 is pushed right and left depending on the thickness of the body 26, the tofu 2 just falls into the recesses 31, 31 provided by the partition wall 30 of the pack 23 when the tofu 2 falls from the slide plate 20. Has become.

By using a detachable adapter type for the cutting blade 25, it is possible to easily pack one size of tofu and pack a two-piece tofu with one device. Therefore, production according to the expected sales volume can be efficiently performed.

[0035]

As described above, the apparatus for packing tofu according to the present invention requires almost three times the amount per hour even for a non-skilled person, compared with a case where a person skilled in the art packs tofu manually. Packing can be performed, and the work efficiency of packing with a large burden is greatly improved.

Further, since this apparatus is compact and inexpensive, it has the advantage that the economical burden is small and the operation efficiency is extremely high even in the small and medium-sized tofu manufacturing industry.

In addition, a single tofu is divided into two and packed into a twin pack, and the tofu can be packed at the same speed as a single pack by simply providing a cutting blade in the opening / closing mechanism of this device. It can be carried out.

On the other hand, by providing a water discharge hole and a drainage groove in the loading section and the transport section where the tofu is transported, a water film is formed on the bottom of the tofu, the transport of the tofu can be performed smoothly, and the shape of the tofu during transport can be prevented. At the same time, tofu residue and whey water are discharged from the drainage ditch, so that rot and bacteria are prevented from being generated, which is sanitary.

As the water coming out of the water discharge hole, acidic water and alkaline water produced by an electrolytic water making machine may be used,
The use of sterilized water produced by an ultraviolet sterilizer, sterilized water such as ozone water sterilized by ozone and water dissolved with hypochlorite is further sanitized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a tofu packing device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the tofu packing device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the opening / closing mechanism shown in FIG. 2 taken along the line AA.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory sectional view of a main part of the transport unit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the tofu packing device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a main part of the tofu packing device shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory sectional view taken along the line BB of the tofu packing device shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of the cutting blade shown in FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Packing device, 2 Tofu, 3 Input unit, 4 Conveying unit, 5 Pack, 6 Extrusion mechanism, 7 Opening / closing mechanism, 8 Pack supply mechanism, 9 Belt conveyor, 10 Guide member, 11 Water tank, 12 Push plate, 13 Rod, 14 cylinder, 15 water discharge hole, 16 water supply channel, 17 drainage groove, 18 drainage channel, 19 opening, 20 slide plate, 21 rod, 22 cylinder, 23 pack, 24 blade tip, 25 cutting blade, 26 body, 27 water discharge hole , 28 water channel, 29 water supply pipe, 30 partition wall, 31 recess,

Claims (7)

[Claims] An input section for inputting tofu cut into a predetermined size, a conveying section provided with an extruding mechanism for extruding the input tofu onto a pack, and an extruding mechanism for extruding the tofu onto a pack. And a supply mechanism for continuously supplying the pack to the lower part of the opening / closing mechanism. 2. A feeding section for feeding the tofu cut into a predetermined size, a conveying section provided with an extruding mechanism for extruding the fed tofu onto the pack, and a feeding section provided with an extruding mechanism for extruding the tofu onto the pack. A cutting blade that divides the cut tofu into two parts, an opening / closing mechanism for dropping the cut tofu into the pack, and a pack having two recesses for accommodating the cut tofu are continuously arranged at the bottom of the opening / closing mechanism. And a supply mechanism for supplying tofu. 3. The cutting blade is formed so as to be thicker as it goes from the cutting edge toward the body portion, and water discharge holes are respectively opened at predetermined positions on both side surfaces of the cutting blade so that water supplied from the outside flows through the inside of the cutting blade. The tofu packing device according to claim 2, wherein the water is discharged from the water discharge hole to form a water film between the cutting blade and the tofu. 4. One or a plurality of water discharge holes are formed at locations where the tofu contacts the upper surface of the transport section, and a water film is formed between the bottom surface of the tofu and the upper surface of the transport section with water discharged from the water discharge holes. The tofu packing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is configured as described above. 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of drainage grooves are provided at predetermined positions on the upper surface of the conveying section, so that the tofu residue and whey water are drained together with the water discharged from the water discharge holes. The tofu packing device according to any one of the above. 6. The water discharged from the water discharge hole is an acidic water and an alkaline water produced by an electrolytic water making machine, and the water is used to wash and sterilize the apparatus. The tofu packing device according to item 1. 7. The water discharged from the water discharge hole is one of ultraviolet sterilized water, sodium hypochlorite-dissolved water and ozone-dissolved water, and the water is used to wash and sterilize the apparatus. The tofu packing device according to claim 5.