JP2015186468A - Multistage superheated steam processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a suitable configuration in a multistage superheated steam processing device in which a structure of the multistage superheated steam processing device is studied in various ways.SOLUTION: A configuration of a superheated steam processing storage of a tunnel type is adopted which has an inlet for carrying a noodle string group therein and an outlet for ejecting the noodle string group after the superheated steam processing. The configuration installs conveyors in multistage so that a noodle string group may be carried in from the inlet of the processing storage and ejected from the outlet after the carried-in noodle string group is conveyed from an upper stage to a lower stage in the superheated steam processing storage. Also, the configuration is found effective in which one or two or more superheated steam pipes are installed so that the superheated steam may be applied to at least the noodle string group conveyed in the upper stage in the superheated steam processing storage.

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-stage superheated steam processing apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to a multi-stage superheated steam treatment apparatus that can be suitably used in the conversion of raw noodles into α.

In the noodle production process, steam is often used for the purpose of pregelatinization. In such a case, the steam processing apparatus is installed in the noodle manufacturing factory, but the interior of the steam processing apparatus may have a plurality of stages in order to reduce the installation space.
That is, in this case, the noodles to be cooked are transported on a conveyor so as to reciprocate in the longitudinal direction of the steam processing apparatus a plurality of times, and are processed by steam introduced inside during transport. As for such a multistage steam treatment apparatus, for example, the type described in Patent Document 1 is disclosed.
Patent Document 1 relates to a method that efficiently uses steam sprayed from the lower stage by configuring the apparatus (a group of noodle strings) to be transported from the lower stage to the upper stage of the steaming apparatus.

JP2010-17167

The steaming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is an excellent multistage steam processing apparatus. On the other hand, the above prior art is intended for ordinary steam and is not a type that uses superheated steam. Superheated steam is a fluid having a vapor temperature equal to or higher than the saturation temperature at a certain pressure by further heating the saturated steam, and is different from normal steam.
In this regard, when a multi-stage processing apparatus using superheated steam is used, it is conceivable that a specific configuration corresponding to the characteristics of the superheated steam is required.

  Accordingly, the present inventors have studied various structures of the multi-stage superheated steam treatment device and have studied to find a suitable configuration in the multi-stage superheated steam treatment device.

  As a result of the diligent research of the present inventors, the configuration of a tunnel-type superheated steam treatment chamber having an inlet portion for carrying a noodle string group and an outlet portion for discharging the noodle strand group after the superheated steam treatment is adopted, As a configuration in which the noodle strings are carried in from the entrance part of the No. 1 and the noodle strings group carried in are transported from the upper stage to the lower stage in the superheated steam treatment chamber, and then the conveyors are installed in multiple stages so as to be discharged from the exit part. And it is found that it is effective to have a configuration in which one or a plurality of superheated steam pipes are installed so as to give superheated steam to at least the noodle strings group transported in the upper stage in the superheated steam treatment warehouse. It was.

That is, the first invention of the present application is
“1) a tunnel-type superheated steam treatment chamber having an inlet portion for carrying a group of noodle strings and an outlet portion for discharging the noodle strands after the superheated steam treatment;
2) A noodle string group is carried in from the inlet of the superheated steam treatment chamber, and the noodle string group carried in is an upper stage in the superheated steam treatment cabinet with a plurality of substantially horizontal reciprocations in the longitudinal direction of the superheated steam treatment cabinet. One or more conveyors installed in multiple stages to be discharged from the outlet after being transported from
3) a superheated steam treatment region in which one or a plurality of superheated steam pipes are provided so as to give at least superheated steam to the noodle strings group transported in the upper stage in the superheated steam treatment cabinet;
A multi-stage superheated steam processing apparatus. ".

In the multi-stage superheated steam processing apparatus, the region where the noodle strings are actually processed with the superheated steam is separated from the other regions as much as possible in the processing chamber and sealed, so that the superheated steam leaks to the other regions. Is preferably reduced. That is, it has been found that the noodle string group is transferred on the conveyor from the superheated steam treatment area to another area on the conveyor, but a mode in which the noodle string group is small enough to pass the noodle string group is effective.
That is, the second invention of the present application is
“The multi-stage superheated steam treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the superheated steam treatment region is separated from other regions in the superheated steam treatment unit”.

Next, in order to efficiently perform the superheated steam treatment, an exhaust device that exhausts saturated steam that has been supplied to the noodle strings in the superheated steam treatment region is provided for the superheated steam treatment region. And found it important.
That is, the third invention of the present application is
The multi-stage superheated steam processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one exhaust device for carrying out steam from the superheated steam processing region in the superheated steam processing chamber to the outside of the superheated steam processing chamber is provided. "".

Furthermore, the present inventors have found that it is important to efficiently provide a moisture application region such as showering hot water after the superheated steam treatment in the processing chamber.
That is, the fourth invention of the present application is
The multi-stage superheated steam treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the multi-stage superheated steam treatment device has a moisture application region after the superheated steam treatment region.

  Effective superheated steam processing can be realized by using the multistage superheated steam processing apparatus of the present invention. The multistage superheated steam treatment apparatus of the present invention is a multistage superheated steam treatment apparatus that can be suitably used in response to the recent space saving.

It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the whole structure of the multistage superheated steam processing apparatus of the 1st embodiment of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Noodle introduction part 3 Superheated steam processing warehouse 5 Noodle discharge part 7 1st conveyor 9 2nd conveyor 11 1st superheated steam processing area 13 Partition member 15 Superheated steam pipe 17 1st moisture provision area 18 Shower 19 2nd superheated steam processing area 21 Second moisture application region 23 Saturated steam treatment region 25 Saturated steam pipe 33 First exhaust device 35 Second exhaust device 37 Third exhaust device 39 Fourth exhaust device 41 Fifth exhaust device 51 First sprocket 53 Second sprocket 55 First 3 sprocket 57 4th sprocket 59 5th sprocket 61 6th sprocket 63 7th sprocket 65 8th sprocket 67 9th sprocket 69 10th sprocket 71 11th sprocket 73 12th sprocket 81 1st guide 85 Empty member

  The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. FIG. 1 below shows a schematic side sectional view of the multi-stage superheated steam treatment device of the first embodiment of the multi-stage superheated steam treatment device of the present application.

<Overall configuration>
As shown in FIG. 1, the multistage superheated steam treatment device of the first embodiment of the present application includes a noodle introduction unit 1 in which noodle strings placed on a conveyor are carried into a superheated steam treatment unit, the noodle introduction unit, and the noodle introduction unit A superheated steam treatment chamber 3 connected at the entrance and having multi-stage superheated steam treatment equipment inside, and a noodle discharge portion 5 connected to the outlet of the superheated steam treatment chamber where the noodle strings subjected to the superheated steam treatment are discharged. The noodle strings are transported from the noodle introduction section 1 to the superheated steam processing chamber 3 and the noodle strings are further transported to the noodle discharge section 5. After having received from 7, it has a second conveyor 9 that conveys the noodle strings to the first conveyor again after being conveyed to the inlet side of the superheated steam processing body main body.
In this specification, in the superheated steam processing chamber, the conveyance from the noodle introduction unit side to the noodle discharge unit side is “forward direction”, and the conveyance from the noodle discharge unit side to the noodle introduction unit side is “reverse direction”. ".

<Description of each part>
○ Noodle introduction part As shown in FIG. 1, the noodle introduction part 1 is an elongated straight tunnel type passage and is connected to the upper part on the inlet side of the superheated steam treatment chamber 3. In addition, a conveyor for transporting the noodle strings is installed inside so that the noodle strings can be transported through the noodle introduction section 1.
In addition, the size of the cross section of the noodle introduction part 1 is sufficient if it is large enough to allow the conveyor and the noodle string group placed on the conveyor to pass through. The material of the main noodle introduction part 1 is not particularly limited, but a material such as stainless steel having rigidity and heat retention is suitable.

○ Superheated steam processing chamber (1) Overall The superheated steam processing chamber 3 of the multistage superheated steam processing device of the present invention has an upper portion on the inlet side connected to the end of the tunnel-type noodle introduction unit 1. A group of noodle strings carried in from the noodle introduction unit 1 is then conveyed to the superheated steam processing chamber 3. Note that, in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the case of three stages among the multistage type is shown.
In the first embodiment, in the superheated steam processing chamber 3, a group of noodle strings is carried from the upper part on the inlet side, and is first conveyed in the “forward direction” on the conveyor. The loaded noodle strings are transported to the vicinity of the outlet side in the longitudinal direction of the superheated steam processing chamber 3, and when the first conveyor 7 is reversed on the other end side, the noodle strings are transferred to the next second conveyor 9. It is. The noodle strings transferred to the second conveyor 9 are conveyed in the “reverse direction” and are returned to the first conveyor 7 when reversed near the entrance side. The transferred noodle string group is conveyed again in the “forward direction” and passed through the noodle discharge section connected to the side surface portion of the superheated steam processing chamber 3 and is carried outside.

Although the material of this superheated steam processing store | warehouse | chamber 3 is not specifically limited, Materials, such as stainless steel with rigidity and heat retention, are suitable. In addition, in order to prevent the heat that fills the interior from leaking to the outside as much as possible, the structure including the connection portion with the noodle introduction unit 1 and the noodle discharge unit 5 can be sealed as much as possible so as to reduce heat volatilization. It is preferable.
Furthermore, the exit end of the noodle discharge unit 5 is arranged at a lower portion in the vertical direction than the lower end portion of the superheated steam treatment chamber 3. When the normal steaming process is included at the end after the superheated steam treatment in the superheated steam treatment chamber 3, the leakage of the steam from the lower part is reduced and the lower part of the superheated steam treatment chamber 3 is filled with steam. Is preferred. This can be achieved by disposing the outlet end of the noodle discharge unit at a lower portion in the vertical direction than the lower end portion of the superheated steam treatment cabinet. Thus, the noodle strings can be effectively exposed to steam.
In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first conveyor 7 passes through the noodle introduction unit 1 from the front of the noodle introduction unit 1 and enters the superheated steam treatment box, and forward direction → reverse direction → forward direction. After the movement, the noodle discharge unit 5 is configured to be exposed to the outside. Further, the noodle discharge unit 5 is provided so as to move to the noodle introduction unit 1 again after moving in the forward direction.

Further, the second conveyor 9 receives the noodle string group conveyed in the forward direction by the first conveyor 7 at the time of reversing the conveyor, conveys the noodle string group in the reverse direction, and then delivers the noodle string group to the first conveyor 7 again. Although it is provided, it is provided to move in the reverse direction from the outlet side in the superheated steam treatment chamber 3 and to move in the forward direction after being reversed in the vicinity of the inlet side.
Of course, these aspects of the conveyor are only one embodiment and do not exclude other aspects of the conveyor.
The processing areas in the main body will be described below.

(2) First Superheated Steam Processing Region The noodle strings introduced from the noodle introduction unit are first transferred to the first superheated steam processing region 11. Superheated steam is given to the noodle strings group transferred to the first superheated steam treatment region 11. The partition member 13 is provided from the viewpoint of efficiently performing the superheated steam treatment in the superheated steam treatment region 11 between the first superheated steam treatment region 11 and the next moisture application region. It arrange | positions so that the conveyor and the noodle string group mounted in this can pass the clearance gap part of the said partition member 13. As shown in FIG.
In the first superheated steam processing region 11, a plurality of superheated steam supply pipes 15 for supplying superheated steam to the noodle strings group are provided both from the upper part and the lower part of the conveyor. The superheated steam supply pipe 15 from the top is shown by the + arrow in FIG. 1, but a plurality of superheated steam supply pipes 15 are provided at right angles to the direction of noodle string transfer by the conveyor in the first superheated steam treatment region. .
Next, a plurality of superheated steam supply pipes 15 from the lower part of the conveyor are provided in parallel with the traveling direction of the conveyor. The direction and the like of these superheated steam supply pipes 15 can be changed as appropriate.
Although not explicitly shown in the drawing of the first embodiment, a superheated steam generator such as a boiler or a heater is appropriately connected to the above-described superheated steam supply pipe.
As a mode of supplying superheated steam to the noodle strings group, any of a method of forming an atmosphere or a method of directly spraying the superheated steam is possible, but a mode of directly spraying the superheated steam has a large effect and is preferable.
As the superheated steam stream used, it is preferable to use a high-temperature steam stream. That is, it is preferable to use a material having a temperature in the range of 110 ° C. to 250 ° C. very close to the noodle strings. More preferably, it is the range of 140 to 180 degreeC.
Moreover, the time for supplying the superheated steam flow is approximately about 5 seconds to 60 seconds.

(3) First moisture application region A first moisture application region 17 is provided following the first superheated steam treatment region 11. In the first moisture application region, water is supplied to the noodle strings by using water or hot water for the noodle strings group that has been subjected to the superheated steam treatment. In this embodiment, a type in which water or hot water is showered 18 on the noodle strings is shown. Needless to say, the noodle strings may be immersed in water or hot water. Although the moisture application time is not particularly limited, it is preferably about 5 to 20 seconds. Further, since the texture and flavor of the produced noodles are improved, it is preferable that the temperature of water or hot water to be showered or immersed is higher, specifically 40 ° C or higher, particularly 50 ° C or higher. Is most preferred. This not only compensates for the loss of moisture due to superheated steam, but also brings the texture and flavor closer to raw noodles. By this moisture replenishment process, the moisture of the noodle strings reduced by the spraying of the superheated steam flow in the first superheated steam treatment process can be compensated. The amount of water added can be adjusted according to the texture and flavor obtained.
Moreover, in this embodiment, although the 1st moisture provision area | region 17 was described in the 1st step | paragraph, of course, it may exist in a 2nd step | paragraph.

(4) 2nd superheated steam processing area | region In this 1st embodiment, after showering by the 1st moisture provision area | region, a noodle string group is handed over to the following 2nd conveyor 9 for a noodle string group. The noodle strings transferred to the second conveyor 9 are conveyed in the “reverse direction”. The second superheated steam treatment is applied in the second superheated steam treatment region 19 during conveyance in the reverse direction. Thereby, the effect in the first superheated steam treatment step can be further enhanced. A partition member 13 is provided at the entrance to the second superheated steam treatment region 19 from the viewpoint of efficiently performing the superheated steam treatment, and a group of noodle strings carrying a conveyor pass through a gap portion of the partition member. Is configured to do. A partition member is also provided between the second superheated steam treatment region 19 and the next second moisture application region 21. The noodle band group mounted on the conveyor can pass through the gap portion of the partition member.

The temperature and time of the superheated steam in the second superheated steam processing region 19 are the same as those in the first superheated steam processing region 11. By performing such a process of the first superheated steam treatment step → the hot water shower → the second superheated steam treatment step, the noodle strings can be provided with a restoring effect when the hot noodles are reconstituted with hot water by the superheated steam.
The temperature and processing time of the superheated steam stream used are the same as those in the first superheated steam processing region.

(5) 2nd moisture provision area | region The 2nd moisture provision area | region 21 is provided following the said 2nd superheated steam processing area | region 19. FIG. In the said 2nd moisture provision area | region 21, water | moisture content is replenished to noodle strings by using water or hot water further for the noodle string group by which the superheated steam process was carried out. In this region, moisture is applied by showering or dipping as in the case of the first moisture application region.
The moisture application time and temperature are the same as in the first moisture application region 17.

(6) Saturated steam treatment area | region In this 1st embodiment, the saturated steam treatment area | region 23 is provided following the 2nd moisture provision area | region. By applying steam in the saturated steam processing region 23, the texture of the noodles can be adjusted. In this embodiment, a steam supply pipe 25 is provided at the lower part of the conveyor. The steam supply time is not particularly limited, but is approximately 20 seconds to 50 seconds.
Needless to say, this saturated steam treatment step may not be provided. Furthermore, the aspect which repeats a superheated steam process as a 3rd superheated steam process instead of this saturated steam process may be sufficient.
Next, in the first embodiment, after the processing in the saturated steam processing region, the noodle strings are subsequently transported on a conveyor in a state where no saturated steam is supplied. Next, the noodle strings are discharged from the noodle discharging unit 5.
In addition, in the conveyance area | region after a saturated steam process, the empty member 85 is provided from a viewpoint of reducing space | gap space.

O Noodle discharging part The noodle discharging part 5 is an elongated straight tunnel-type passage, and is connected to the lower part of the side part on the outlet side of the superheated steam treatment chamber 3. Moreover, the 1st conveyor 7 for conveyance of a noodle string group is installed in the inside so that the noodle string group can convey the inside of the said noodle discharge part 5.
As in the case of the noodle introduction unit 1, it is sufficient that the size of the cross section of the noodle discharge unit 5 is large enough to allow the conveyor and the noodle strings placed on the conveyor to pass through.
The main noodle discharging unit 5 is arranged so that the steamed noodle strings are carried out in an obliquely downward direction in the vertical direction. The material of the main noodle discharge unit 5 is not particularly limited, but materials such as iron, aluminum, and resin are suitable. Moreover, it is preferable to make it the structure which the vapor | steam filled inside does not leak outside.

Exhaust device In the first embodiment, first to fifth exhaust devices (33, 35, 37, 39, 41) are provided. The exhaust system referred to in the present invention refers to an exhaust system including a duct, a hood, an exhaust fan, and the like.
In the present invention, the exhaust device has an important role. That is, the superheated steam process is a process using high-temperature steam, but after the noodle strings are heated, the temperature is lowered and changed to normal steam. If the normal steam is left in the superheated steam treatment area, the humidity in the area increases, and even if additional superheated steam is added to the area, heat is easily taken away, and good superheated steam treatment is achieved. It becomes difficult to continue.

  For this reason, it is important to exhaust excess steam after the superheated steam treatment by the exhaust device. In the present invention, it is preferable that at least one exhaust device is provided for each superheated steam treatment region (11, 23) in the superheated steam treatment cabinet 3. Furthermore, it is more preferable if it is provided at each of two locations of the inlet and outlet of the superheated steam treatment region. In addition, when the superheated steam treatment area is long or large, an exhaust device may be provided near the middle of the superheated steam treatment area.

In the first embodiment, the first exhaust device 33 has a hood installed in front of the noodle introduction unit and connected to an exhaust fan, and can exhaust excess steam on the inlet side. In addition, a duct is connected in the vicinity of the front surface on the inlet side of the superheated steam treatment warehouse, and the duct serves as a recovery path for excess steam generated after the superheated steam treatment is completed in the second superheated steam treatment region 19. The air is exhausted from the previous hood as well.
The second exhaust device 35 is installed to recover excess steam generated in the second superheated steam processing region 19. The duct protrudes from the vicinity of the front surface of the partition portion of the second superheated steam treatment area 19 to the upper side of the superheated steam treatment cabinet 3, and serves as a recovery path for excess steam. In addition, a hood is provided at the top, and an exhaust fan is connected.

The third exhaust device 37 is installed to recover excess steam generated in the first superheated steam processing region 11. A duct is provided from the upper surface of the superheated steam processing chamber 3 and serves as a recovery path for excess steam from the vicinity of the partition portion on the outlet side of the first superheated steam processing region 11. In addition, a hood and an exhaust fan are provided as described above.
The fourth exhaust device 39 is installed to recover excess steam generated in the second superheated steam processing region 19. A duct is provided on the back side of the outlet side of the superheated steam processing chamber 3, and serves as a recovery path for excess steam from the vicinity of the front partition portion on the inlet side of the second superheated steam processing region. In addition, a hood and an exhaust fan are provided as described above.
The fifth exhaust device 41 is provided in front of the noodle discharging unit 5 and discharges excess steam from the noodle discharging unit 5. In addition, a hood and an exhaust fan are provided as described above.

○ Superheated steam pipe As described above, one or a plurality of superheated steam pipes 15 for supplying superheated steam are provided in the superheated steam processing chamber. A saturated steam pipe 25 for supplying saturated steam is also provided.
In the first embodiment, the superheated steam pipe 15 is used for superheated steam processing of the noodle strings being conveyed in the upper and middle stages of the conveyor. That is, each superheated steam pipe is heated so that the noodle strings can be superheated in the first superheated steam treatment region 11 while the noodle strings brought in from the noodle introduction unit 1 are being conveyed in the forward direction. It arrange | positions at the conveyor upper part and the 1st conveyor 7 lower part in a steam processing area | region (11, 19). Further, superheated steam pipes 15 are arranged in the upper part of the second conveyor 9 and inside the second conveyor 9 so that the superheated steam treatment can be performed in the middle stage as well.
The saturated steam pipe is arranged at the lower part of the second conveyor so that steam can be applied during the forward transport in the lower stage after the superheated steam treatment and moisture application.

○ Conveyor part The conveyor part carries in the noodle string group from the noodle introduction part, and the noodle string group introduced from the upper part of the superheated steam process chamber 3 undergoes multiple reciprocations in the superheated steam process chamber and the superheated steam process chamber. Further, one or a plurality of conveyors provided in multiple stages are provided so that the noodle string group is discharged from the discharge portion.
As shown in FIG. 1, as shown in the first embodiment, the first conveyor 7 is a net conveyor and circulates endlessly by a sprocket.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, it is wound around a first sprocket 51 provided in front of the noodle introduction part of the first conveyor 7, moves to the noodle introduction part 1, and moves upward in the noodle introduction part 1. After rising in the direction, it moves in the forward direction almost horizontally. Furthermore, after being wound around the second sprocket 53 and reversed, it moves in the opposite direction, wound around the outer diameter side of the coaxial third sprocket 55 and reversed, then moved in the forward direction, and slanted before the noodle discharging unit. It moves downward and is further wound around the sixth and seventh sprockets (61, 63) to exit the noodle discharging section.
Further, after coming out of the noodle discharging unit, the noodles are wound around the eighth to twelfth sprockets (65, 67, 69, 71, 73) and moved to the sprocket 1. Thus, it circulates endlessly.

Next, the second conveyor 9, which is the second net conveyor, was installed so as to pass through the superheated steam processing chamber, wound around the fourth sprocket 57, supported by the first guide 81, and moved in the reverse direction. After that, it is wound around the inner diameter side of the third sprocket 55, reverses, moves in the forward direction, is wound around the fifth sprocket 59, moves up, and moves again to the fourth sprocket. Thus, it circulates endlessly. The conveyor belt is preferably a through-hole conveyor belt such as a metal mesh.
Moreover, about these conveyor belts, although not specifically shown, the drive part as a motive power part is installed separately.

○ Movement of noodle strings The noodle strings that are cut out and transported on a conveyor are superheated as follows. In the present invention, the raw noodle strings are cut out and conveyed. Generally, however, another conveyor is arranged in front of the first sprocket 51 of the superheated steam processing apparatus, and the raw noodle strings are A mode of being conveyed is conceivable. The raw noodle strings that have been delivered from the conveyor are placed on the conveyor, conveyed obliquely upward from the first sprocket 51, and enter the superheated steam processing chamber. Subsequently, the noodle strings group transported into the main body are transported in the forward direction of the first stage at the top of the superheated steam processing body, and pass through the first superheated steam processing region 11. In this region, the superheated steam is processed by superheated steam from superheated steam pipes 15 provided at the upper and lower parts of the conveyor belt. The noodle strings that have passed through the first superheated steam treatment region 11 pass through the first moisture application region 17 and are given moisture by the shower.

Subsequently, as the conveyor is reversed by the second sprocket 53, the noodle string group is also reversed and dropped onto the second conveyor 9 and delivered. The noodle strings that have fallen on the second conveyor 9 move to the second superheated steam processing region 19 and are superheated while being transported in the reverse direction on the second conveyor 9. Next, after the superheated steam treatment, moisture is given through the second moisture application region 21.
Further, as the conveyor is reversed at the fifth sprocket 59, the noodle strings are also reversed and dropped onto the first conveyor 7 and delivered. The noodle strings that have fallen on the first conveyor 7 are conveyed again in the forward direction. In the transfer in the forward direction, normal saturated steam is applied by moving to the saturated steam treatment region. After the application of the saturated steam, the noodle string group transported in the forward direction of the first conveyor 7 is transported to the outlet portion at the lower end of the superheated steam treatment chamber 3 and then transported obliquely downward in the noodle discharge section 5. It is conveyed in a substantially horizontal direction from the exit portion of the noodle discharging unit 5 and then conveyed obliquely upward. The noodle strings after the superheated steam treatment are further conveyed by a conveyor (not shown in the drawing) installed behind the eighth sprocket 65, and can be selected in any process, that is, any seasoning, drawing, cutting, frying, etc. Move on to the process.

○ Noodle string group The food to be processed by the noodle string superheated steam processing apparatus is a noodle string. Usually, in steaming noodle strings, a plurality of noodle strings are processed in a connected state. Therefore, for example, in the case of an instant noodle production line, since a plurality of noodle strings are transported in a connected state, the delivery from the first conveyor 7 to the second conveyor 9 or the second conveyor 9 to the first conveyor is performed. The noodle strings can be moved smoothly in the delivery to 7.

○ Subsequent treatment The group of noodle strings subjected to the superheated steam treatment by the superheated steam treatment device of the present invention can be used in various ways. For example, the noodle strings after the superheated steam treatment can be cut and packaged to be used as steamed noodles (steamed noodles). Moreover, after this superheated steam process, it can be set as a fried noodle lump or a hot-air dried noodle lump by carrying out processes such as pulling, seasoning, cutting, and filling a retainer, and frying or hot-air drying.

Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, the three-stage processing apparatus has been described. However, for example, two-stage, four-stage, and five-stage apparatuses may be used. In this case, a conveyor or the like may be set as appropriate.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, the aspect which has 2 area | region of the 1st superheated steam processing area | region 11 of the upper stage and the 2nd superheated steam processing area | region 19 of the middle stage was shown. However, in the case of two stages, it is possible even when there is no middle second superheated steam treatment region. In addition, when increasing the number of stages, a superheated steam treatment region, a moisture application region, and a saturated steam treatment region may be added as appropriate.

Claims (4)

1) a tunnel-type superheated steam treatment chamber having an inlet portion for carrying a noodle string group and an outlet portion for discharging the noodle strand group after the superheated steam treatment;
2) A noodle string group is carried in from the inlet of the superheated steam treatment chamber, and the noodle string group carried in is an upper stage in the superheated steam treatment cabinet with a plurality of substantially horizontal reciprocations in the longitudinal direction of the superheated steam treatment cabinet. One or more conveyors installed in multiple stages to be discharged from the outlet after being transported from
3) A superheated steam treatment region in which one or a plurality of superheated steam pipes are provided so as to impart at least superheated steam to the noodle strings group transported in the upper stage in the superheated steam treatment warehouse;
A multi-stage superheated steam processing apparatus.   The multi-stage superheated steam processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the superheated steam processing area is separated from other areas in the superheated steam processing chamber.   The multi-stage superheated steam processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one exhaust device is provided for carrying steam out of the superheated steam processing chamber from the superheated steam processing region in the superheated steam processing chamber.   The multistage superheated steam treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the multistage superheated steam treatment device has a moisture application region after the superheated steam treatment region.

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