JP2008035828A - Method for producing natto (fermented soybeans) container subjected to laser processing - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To establish a method for ensuring traceability of a Natto product, and to provide a method for producing Natto by using the method. <P>SOLUTION: The method for producing the Natto by using a Natto container having a container body and a lid body carries out a cooking step for cooking soybeans, a filling step for filling the cooked soybeans and Bacillus natto in the container body, a sealing step for sealing the container body with the lid body, and a fermenting step for preserving the Natto container sealed with the lid body in a fermentation chamber in order. The method further includes a step of printing on the container body or the lid body by a laser processing after the cooking step and before the fermentation step. The Natto produced by the method is also provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for producing a laser-processed natto container.

  In recent years, from the viewpoint of food safety, traceability has been studied to enable tracking of the process in which a product is distributed from a producer to a consumer. Typically, for example, by an inkjet method. There are those that print (Patent Document 1) and those that use an IC tag (Patent Document 2). Natto products have various problems due to their product characteristics, and sufficient traceability has not been realized.

  Natto products usually have a process of sorting, washing and soaking soybeans, followed by a steaming process of soybeans, a filling process of filling steamed soybeans and natto bacteria into the container body, a sealing process for closing the lid, and closing the lid It is manufactured through a fermentation process in which the natto container is stored in the fermentation room and an aging process in which the aging is performed in the refrigerator after fermentation. One or several natto containers that have undergone an aging process are packaged with a strip-shaped label and shipped.

  In the simplest case, it is conceivable to print traceability on the strip label that finally packs the product. In this case, the natto container is moved to the fermentation room or refrigerator between the filling process and the aging process. Therefore, since a plurality of natto containers at the time of different production may be packaged together, there is a problem that sufficient traceability cannot be secured for each natto container.

  In addition, in the case of using ink as a printing means, since ink is sprayed toward the natto container, food hygiene problems are likely to occur. Even when an edible ink material derived from a natural product is used, if it is blown directly onto food, it may affect the taste and the like. In particular, in the sealing process of closing the lid of the natto container, since the natto bacteria work well during fermentation, the container cannot be completely sealed. There is a problem that the risk of contamination is much higher than other food packaging.

  In addition, after the steaming process, the natto container is kept in a relatively hot and humid condition until the fermentation process is completed, so when printing with ink, there is a possibility that the ink will flow and the printing may spread or disappear. Cannot be secured. On the other hand, IC tags can ensure traceability even in a hot and humid environment, but in the first place, natto is an inexpensive and widely loved food, so IC tags that require dedicated devices for writing and reading Introducing a system brings about soaring product prices and is not a realistic method.

JP 2005-348667 A JP 2006-55108 A

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, establish a method for ensuring the traceability of natto products, and provide a method for producing natto using the method.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present inventors have found that the above problems can be solved by laser processing a natto container in a specific process in natto production, while conducting extensive research. As a result of further research, the present invention has been completed.

That is, the present invention uses a natto container provided with a container body and a lid, using a soybean cooking process, a filling process for filling the container body with steamed soybeans and natto bacteria, a sealing process for closing the lid, and a lid. A method for producing natto, which sequentially undergoes a fermentation process of storing closed natto containers in a fermentation chamber, and includes a step of printing by laser processing on the container body or lid after the cooking process and before the fermentation process, It relates to a manufacturing method.
Furthermore, this invention relates to the said manufacturing method characterized by including the process printed on a container main body or a cover body by laser processing after a sealing process.

The present invention also relates to the above manufacturing method, wherein printing is useful for traceability.
Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the cutting part for separating the container main body and the lid together with the printing is formed in the hinge part of the natto container or the flange part near the hinge part by laser processing. Regarding the method.
The present invention also relates to the above manufacturing method, wherein the cutting part is a perforation.
Furthermore, this invention relates to the natto manufactured by the said manufacturing method.

In general, in order to ensure traceability, it is in close proximity to the process of filling steamed soybeans into a natto container, that is, the natto container is on the series of production lines after the steaming process and before the fermentation process. Printing is required in a hot and humid environment, but according to the natto manufacturing method according to the present invention, since laser processing is used for printing, bleeding and disappearance due to high humidity, as in the case of ink, ink due to high temperature Thus, it is possible to perform reliable printing on the natto container without causing problems such as quality change. Further, the laser processing is preferably performed vertically downward in order to avoid the danger of irradiating the operator, and is preferably performed after the sealing step with the lid closed.
Further, the traceability of each individual natto container from production, distribution and consumption of natto can be ensured depending on the contents of the printing.

  Further, by using laser processing, when a container in which a container body and a lid are integrally formed via a hinge part is used as a natto container, a desired place (for example, a flange near the hinge part or the hinge part) is printed. The cutting part for separating the container main body and the lid can be formed in the part), and it is not necessary to separate the printing process from the cutting part forming process, and can be performed in one process. In addition, the natto produced in this way can easily separate the lid of the integrally molded container from the container body.

  The production process of natto is roughly as follows: a steaming process of soybeans, a filling process of filling steamed soybeans and natto bacteria into the container body, a sealing process of closing the lid, and a natto container with the lid closed in the fermentation chamber. From the filling process of filling steamed soybeans to the fermentation process of storing in the fermentation room, a series of production lines are performed in a relatively hot and humid environment. .

  The method for producing natto of the present invention uses a natto container provided with a container body and a lid, and through a normal natto production process, any time after the steaming process and before the fermentation process, that is, relatively Printing is performed by laser processing on the container body or lid in a hot and humid environment.

  The printing may be for traceability. The content of the print is not particularly limited, but information indicating the history of raw soybeans (steamed soybeans), information identifying natto bacteria, information identifying a production line, information identifying a manufacturing plant, information identifying a manufacturing date, etc. It may also be information on a more general expiry date, manufacturer, distributor, etc.

  In order to make the traceability easier and at the same time facilitate laser processing, printing is preferably performed on the lid after sealing the lid. By sealing the lid, a temporary outer shape as a natto product is prepared. By printing at this stage, there is no occurrence of a flaw between the contents and the printed contents. Laser processing is preferably performed in the vertical direction so as not to cause danger to the eyes of the operator by laser light, and it is preferable to print on the container body or lid body by laser processing after the sealing step.

  In one embodiment of the method for producing natto of the present invention, a container in which a container main body and a lid are integrally formed via a hinge portion can be used. The material of the natto container used in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it can be laser-processed. However, in the case of a container in which the container body and the lid are integrally formed via a hinge portion, a synthetic resin is preferable, and particularly lightweight. A foamable synthetic resin excellent in processability, such as foamed polystyrene and foamed polyolefin, is preferably used.

  In the natto manufacturing method of the present invention, when a container in which the container main body and the lid are integrally formed via a hinge portion is used, a cutting portion for separating the container main body and the lid together with printing by laser processing. Can be formed on the hinge portion or the flange portion in the vicinity of the hinge portion. The cutting part may have any shape formed by laser processing, and is typically a perforation.

  The laser used in the production method of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it can print on the material used for the natto container. For example, a carbon dioxide laser, ruby laser, semiconductor laser, argon laser, excimer laser, etc. Can be mentioned.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the production method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The natto container 10 is a container having a size of about 10 cm square made of expanded polystyrene having a thickness of about 2 mm, in which a container body 11 and a lid 12 are integrally formed via a hinge portion 13.
After filling the container body 11 with steamed soybeans and natto bacteria, the lid 12 was closed. Printing 14 was performed on the flange portion of the closed lid 12 by a carbon dioxide laser. The print 14 was a recess whose surface was scraped without penetrating the lid 12 at the portion irradiated with the laser beam.

  Along with the printing 14, a cutting part 15 (perforation: 0.6 mm between holes, 2 mm or 4 mm hole width) was formed in the vicinity of the hinge part 13 by a carbon dioxide laser. The cutting portion 15 was formed so that the portion irradiated with the laser light became a hole penetrating the lid body 12.

  According to the present invention, by using laser processing, printing on a natto container in a relatively hot and humid environment can be ensured, and in particular, the traceability of individual natto containers can be ensured. it can. Therefore, after filling with steamed soybeans, it is transferred to the fermentation room, aging refrigerator, and packaging equipment, and for example, a plurality of different histories such as 2 packs or 3 packs are packaged as one pack with a belt-like label. Even if it is done, the traceability of each natto container can be ensured. Furthermore, in this invention, the cutting part which makes easy separation of a container main body and a cover body simultaneously with printing can be provided by using laser processing.

The schematic of the one aspect | mode of the natto container by this invention is shown. A is a side view and B is a top view.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Natto container 11 Container main body 12 Cover body 13 Hinge part 14 Printing 15 Cutting part

Claims (6)

Using a natto container equipped with a container body and a lid, a soybean steaming process, a filling process for filling the container body with steamed soybeans and natto bacteria, a sealing process for closing the lid, and a natto container with the lid closed It is a manufacturing method of natto that sequentially goes through a fermentation process stored in a fermentation room,
The said manufacturing method including the process of printing on a container main body or a cover body by laser processing after a steaming process and before a fermentation process.   The manufacturing method according to claim 1, comprising a step of printing on the container main body or the lid body by laser processing after the sealing step.   The manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the printing is useful for traceability.   The cutting part for separating a container main body and a cover body with a printing by laser processing is formed in the hinge part of a natto container, or the flange part near a hinge part, The any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The manufacturing method as described in.   The manufacturing method according to claim 4, wherein the cut portion is a perforation.   Natto manufactured by the manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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