JP3849038B2 - Tofu production equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tofu production apparatus used when mixing and stirring soy milk and a coagulant in a tofu production process.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the production of tofu, a coagulant is added to soy milk and mixed and stirred. At that time, coagulants having different coagulation characteristics are used for the target tofu such as kinugushi tofu, rice bran tofu, and deep-fried tofu. The temperature of soy milk when adding a coagulant varies from high to low. Still, there are few problems when making one kind of tofu.
[0003]
The problem lies in how to improve productivity, production control, and high quality in the case of mass production of a large variety of small rod tofu. Magnesium chloride (Nigari) has long been known as a traditional coagulant for obtaining a tofu with a good flavor, and this is a fast-acting coagulant. For this reason, when soy milk and a coagulant are mixed and stirred in a single mixing tank, primary coagulation starts, which is not suitable for transferring to a molding box. For this reason, measures such as adding a stabilizer for preventing primary coagulation to soy milk are taken, and the amount of addition and temperature management are cumbersome and the manufacturing cost is high.
[0004]
In consideration of these points, for example, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, soy milk and a coagulant (nigari) are placed in a molding box, mixed and stirred with a stirrer, and the stirrer is pulled up from the soymilk to solidify the soymilk in the molding box. Molded.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 2507250 (paragraph number 0014, FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-65846 (paragraph number 0020, FIG. 1)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above Patent Documents 1 and 2, the stirrer can be moved up and down with respect to the molding box whose upper surface is open, and the upper surface of the molding box remains open even when mixing and stirring with the stirrer. . This is equivalent to actively incorporating air into soy milk during mixing and stirring, and far from improving the quality of products and tofu. Measures such as adding an antifoaming agent are also not preferable in terms of food hygiene.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is to provide a tofu production apparatus in which the material and temperature of soymilk when coagulating soymilk, and the type of coagulant, whether fast-acting or slow-acting, can be freely and arbitrarily selected according to the target tofu. is there. In particular, there is a need for a tofu production apparatus that is advantageous for coagulating soymilk using a fast-acting coagulant.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to efficiently produce high-quality tofu so as not to bite air during mixing and stirring of soy milk and a coagulant.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As shown in FIG. 1, the tofu production apparatus of the present invention includes a table 2 for receiving a molding box 1 whose upper surface is opened, a lid 4 for closing the upper opening surface of the molding box 1, and a lid 4 which is an opening of the molding box 1. Driving means for switching between a posture for closing the upper surface and a posture detached from the molding box 1, soy milk feeding means for charging soy milk 25 into the molding box 1 from the lid 4 side, and inside the molding box 1 from the lid 4 side A coagulant injecting means for injecting the coagulant 26, a stirrer 9 provided on the lower side of the lid 4 for mixing and stirring the soy milk 25 and the coagulant 26 in the sealed molding box 1, and a stirrer 9 is provided.
[0010]
Moreover, the tofu manufacturing apparatus of this invention is the attitude | position which the table 2 which receives the molding box 1 which an upper surface opens, the lid | cover 4 for closing the opening upper surface of the molding box 1, and the attitude | position which the lid 4 closes the opening upper surface of the molding box 1 Driving means for switching to a posture detached from the molding box 1 and coagulant injection for injecting the coagulant 26 into the molding box 1 from the lid 4 side with the soy milk 25 almost filled in the molding box 1 Means, a stirrer 9 provided on the lower side of the lid 4 for mixing and stirring the soy milk 25 and the coagulant 26 in the sealed molding box 1, and means for driving the stirrer 9. . In this case, the soymilk 25 is filled in advance in the molding box 1 on the table 2 or in another place, and then the lid 4 is closed to the upper surface of the opening of the molding box 1. . At that time, when the lid 4 is closed, a part of the soy milk 25 that has been put in from the upper surface of the molding box 1 can overflow. However, for example, soy milk 25 of the eighth minute may be put in the molding box 1 and the lid 4 may be put, and then the soy milk 25 may be charged into the molding box 1 from the lid 4 side until it is full.
[0011]
Specifically, a packing 13 in contact with the upper edge of the opening of the molding box 1 is provided on the lower surface of the lid 4, and it is desired that the upper surface of the opening of the molding box 1 be sealed with this packing 13.
[0012]
As the molding box 1, a large number of small-capacity boxes for obtaining cuts of 5 to 50 cut tofu are prepared. However, it is also possible to make one tofu for each molding box 1 and individually wrap it as it is and distribute it for each molding box 1.
[0013]
The apparatus of the present invention is suitable for making sushi tofu using a fast-acting coagulant mainly composed of bittern, but can also be widely used for rice tofu and also for the production of a tofu base for fried tofu. Available. In the case where the coagulant has a slow action, the soy milk 25 and the coagulant 26 may be put into the molding box 1 at the same time.
[0014]
[Effects of the invention]
According to the present invention, the upper surface of the molding box 1 is closed with the lid 4 in a sealed manner, and the soy milk 25 and the coagulant 26 are put in the molding box 1 in a full state and mixed and stirred by the stirrer 9. Therefore, at the time of mixing and stirring, air is not bitten into the soy milk 25, and high-quality tofu that does not contain bubbles in the tofu essence is obtained.
[0015]
In other words, since the upper surface of the opening of the molding box 1 is closed with the lid 4, it means that the soy milk 25 can be degassed and filled in the molding box 1, and even if mixing and stirring in this state, the molding box No soy milk 25 scatters from 1. When the packing 13 is provided on the back surface of the lid 4, it is advantageous to more reliably seal the upper opening surface of the molding box 1.
[0016]
It is not necessary to consider the blade shape, rotation speed, etc. of the stirrer 9 so that air is not entrained in the soy milk 25. The molding box 1 to be used also does not require special work for mixing and stirring, and a normal box shape is sufficient. Therefore, the entire apparatus can be provided at low cost and is easy to use.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(Example 1) The tofu manufacturing apparatus of the illustrated example has several small-capacity molding boxes 1 having an upper surface open, and is associated with a table 2 on which the molding box 1 is placed, and the table 2. A column 3 erected on the floor, a unit A including a lid 4 that closes the upper surface of the opening of the molding box 1, a drive unit that is provided on the column 3 to drive the unit A up and down, a soy milk tank 5, and a solidification The agent tank 6 is provided.
[0018]
The unit A includes a flat lid 4 fixed to the lower surface of the unit frame 7, a stirrer 9 that is rotatably provided so as to protrude downward at the center of the lower surface of the lid 4, and is installed in the unit frame 7 for stirring. And a motor 10 that rotationally drives the child 9.
[0019]
The driving means of the unit A includes an air cylinder 11 disposed on the support 3 side, and the lower end of the piston rod 12 of the air cylinder 11 is connected to the upper surface of the unit frame 7. By extending and retracting the piston rod 12 of the air cylinder 11, the unit A has a closed posture in which the upper surface of the molding box 1 is closed in a sealed manner via the packing 13 provided on the lower surface of the lid 4. Is switched to an open posture that disengages above the molding box 1.
[0020]
In the lid 4, the soymilk inlet 15 and the coagulant inlet 16 are provided at positions separated from each other, and an overflow outlet 17 is provided at a position away from the soymilk inlet 15.
[0021]
The soymilk inlet 15 of the lid 4 and the soymilk tank 5 are connected in communication by a pipe (hose) 20 via a soymilk feed pump 19. Similarly, the coagulant inlet 16 of the lid 4 and the coagulant tank 6 are connected by a pipe (hose) 22 via a coagulant feed pump 21.
[0022]
When using the tofu production apparatus, the unit A is in the upward open (standby) posture, so that the empty molding box 1 is positioned and set at a predetermined position on the table 2. Only the upper surface of the molding box 1 is open, and the upper surface of the opening is located directly below the lid 4.
[0023]
When the drive switch of the entire apparatus is turned on in this state, the air cylinder 11 is first actuated to lower the unit A, and the lid 4 pushes the periphery of the upper end opening of the molding box 1 through the packing 13 to open the molding box 1. Close the top surface tightly.
[0024]
Next, the soymilk feed pump 19 is activated, and the soymilk 25 in the soymilk tank 5 is fed into the molding box 1 through the soymilk inlet 15 so as to be filled. At that time, the partially overflowing soy milk 25 is collected from the overflow outlet 17. Specifically, the soymilk inlet 15, the coagulant inlet 16 and the overflow outlet 17 are provided with electromagnetic valves (not shown), and when the soymilk 25 is put into the molding box 1, the soymilk inlet 15 side and the overflow outlet are provided. The electromagnetic valve on the 17 side is open and the electromagnetic valve on the coagulant inlet 16 side is closed. Since the internal capacity of the molding box 1 is known, for example, the soymilk 25 can be always filled in the molding box 1 by controlling the amount of soymilk 25 fed by the soymilk feed pump 19 with a timer or the like. The air in the molding box 1 is pushed out of the overflow outlet 17 as the soymilk 25 is filled therein.
[0025]
When the molding box 1 does not have a vapor phase portion and is filled with soy milk 25, the driving of the soy milk feed pump 19 is stopped, the solenoid valve at the soy milk inlet 15 is closed, and the solenoid valve at the coagulant inlet 16 is opened, so that the coagulant feed is performed. The pump 21 is activated. Thus, the coagulant 26 in the coagulant tank 6 is injected into the molding box 1 through the coagulant inlet 16. At this time, the solenoid valve provided in the overflow outlet 17 is also closed. Since the amount of the coagulant 26 added to the soy milk 25 is very small, the coagulant 26 can be pushed in without any trouble even when the molding box 1 is filled with the soy milk 25. However, the coagulant may be injected into the molding box 1 while removing the soy milk 25 or air from the molding box 1. The amount of the coagulant 26 injected can be set to a prescribed value by controlling the amount of the coagulant feed pump 21 in advance with a timer or the like since the capacity of the molding box 1, that is, the amount of soy milk 25 used is known.
[0026]
When the injection of the coagulant 26 is completed, the electromagnetic valve at the coagulant inlet 16 is closed, and the motor 10 is immediately activated to drive the stirrer 9 to rotate. However, the stirrer 9 may already be stirring the soy milk 25 before the coagulant 26 is injected. Thus, the soy milk 25 and the coagulant 26 in the molding box 1 are mixed and stirred for a specified time in a hermetically filled state. At the time of mixing and stirring, the upper surface of the molding box 1 is sealed with the lid 4, so that the internal soy milk 25 and the like do not scatter outside, and no outside air flows into the molding box 1. There is no air inside.
[0027]
Finally, the air cylinder 11 is operated, and the unit A is retracted to the upper open position. Thus, the lid 4 is removed from the upper surface of the molding box 1 and the stirring bar 9 is also lifted. Next, the processed molding box 1 on the table 2 is collected. This is one cycle. Thereafter, a new molding box 1 is set on the table 2 again, and the mixing and stirring process of the soy milk 25 and the coagulant 26 is repeated in the same manner.
[0028]
What should be noted here is that the soy milk 25 and the coagulant 26 put in one molding box 1 are mixed and stirred and then coagulated and molded in the same molding box 1. Therefore, for example, when a fast-acting coagulant 26 is used, primary coagulation has started in the mixing and stirring step on the table 2, and after the molding box 1 is recovered from the table 2, The final coagulation and molding of the soymilk 25 is completed.
[0029]
When using the slow-acting coagulant 26 or using low-temperature soy milk, after the molding box 1 is collected from the table 2, post-treatment for aging may be performed. However, in that case, it may be set on the table 2 so as to complete the solidification and molding, and this may be notified to the operator.
[0030]
In the illustrated example, it is expected that 20 tofus of bare tofu can be obtained in one molding box 1. Therefore, after shaping | molding, after cutting | dividing bare tofu in the shaping | molding box 1 one by one, the cut tofu P in the shaping | molding box 1 is taken out in a water tank. Alternatively, after removing the naked tofu from the molding box 1 into the water tank, it can be cut one by one. Cut tofu P is individually packaged in the distribution container 30 of FIG. The distribution container 30 here means a packaging container (tray) itself for displaying cut tofu at a store.
[0031]
That is, the product / tofu is put into the distribution container 30 whose upper surface is opened one by one, and the upper surface of the opening is hermetically sealed with the packaging film 31 for pack packaging.
[0032]
(Example 2) Example 2 corresponds to claim 2, in which a predetermined amount (for example, 80% of the internal volume) of soy milk 25 is separately added to the inside of the molding box 1 in order to improve the production cycle. After being put in place, this soymilk 25-containing molding box 1 is sent to the work position on the table 2, and the soymilk inlet 15 on the side of the lid 4 is used to fill the molding box 1 with more soymilk 25 in a full state. Add. Others are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment. At the time of this additional charging, the soy milk 25 and the coagulant 26 may be simultaneously put in the molding box 1 in a mixed state.
[0033]
Example 3 Example 3 corresponds to claim 2 and is in the form of an extension of Example 2, in which the soymilk 25 is placed prior to closing the lid 4 inside the molding box 1. In a fully charged state. This soymilk charging operation may be performed in another place or may be performed with the lid 4 opened at the operation position on the table 2. In this case, when the lid 4 is closed to the molding box 1 as described above, an air reservoir (gas phase portion) is formed inside the upper end of the molding box 1 so that the soy milk 25 in the molding box 1 overflows from the upper surface. Prevent it from occurring. Others are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0034]
(Example 4) The molding box 1 may be the previous distribution container 30 shown in FIG. 2, that is, the tray itself. In this case, a number of molding boxes (distribution containers 30) 1 are defined on the table 2. Continuously intermittently move to the position, the upper surface of the opening of each molding box 1 is closed with the lid 4 in a sealed manner, soy milk 25 and coagulant 26 are injected into the molding box 1 and mixed and stirred on the spot. . After that, as described above, the upper surface of the opening of the molding box 1 is hermetically sealed by heat sealing with the packaging film 31. At that time, the soymilk 25 in the molding box 1 may be coagulated and aged after the packaging film 31 is heat-sealed.
[0035]
(Other Embodiments) In the illustrated example, the air cylinder 11 is used as the driving means of the unit A including the lid 4 and the unit A is moved up and down. However, the lid 4 is molded with the unit A supported by a swing arm. The swinging operation may be performed over a downward posture in which the box 1 is closed and a posture in which the box 1 is retracted obliquely upward. The unit A including the lid 4 may be fixed, and the upper surface of the molding box 1 may be closed with the lid 4 at a fixed position by raising and lowering the entire table 2 or only the portion that receives the molding box 1. . In any case, the soymilk 25 can be simultaneously poured into the molding box 1 while closing the lid 4 on the molding box 1.
[0036]
The lid 4 of the present invention closes the upper surface of the opening of the molding box 1 and prevents the outside air from flowing into the molding box 1 while preventing the soy milk 25 from splashing upward and outward during mixing and stirring. As long as that is the case, the lid 4 substantially seals the molding box 1, and the soymilk 25 may be put into the molding box 1 in a substantially full state.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of the entire apparatus. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of a product / tofu packaging structure.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Molding box 2 Table 3 Support | pillar 4 Lid 5 Soy milk tank 6 Coagulant tank 9 Stirrer 10 Motor 11 Air cylinder 13 Packing 15 Soy milk inlet 16 Coagulant inlet 25 Soy milk 26 Coagulant

Claims (3)

A table 2 for receiving a molding box 1 whose upper surface is open;
A lid 4 for closing the upper surface of the opening of the molding box 1;
Driving means for switching the lid 4 between a posture in which the upper surface of the opening of the molding box 1 is closed and a posture in which the lid 4 is detached from the molding box 1;
Soymilk feeding means for charging soymilk 25 into the molding box 1 from the lid 4 side;
A coagulant injection means for injecting the coagulant 26 into the molding box 1 from the lid 4 side;
A stirrer 9 which is provided below the lid 4 and mixes and stirs the soy milk 25 and the coagulant 26 in the hermetically sealed molding box 1;
And a means for driving the stirrer 9. A table 2 for receiving a molding box 1 whose upper surface is open;
A lid 4 for closing the upper surface of the opening of the molding box 1;
Driving means for switching between a posture in which the lid 4 closes the upper surface of the opening of the molding box 1 and a posture in which the lid 4 is detached from the molding box 1;
A coagulant injecting means for injecting a coagulant 26 into the molding box 1 from the lid 4 side in a state where the soymilk 25 is almost filled in the molding box 1;
A stirrer 9 which is provided below the lid 4 and mixes and stirs the soy milk 25 and the coagulant 26 in the hermetically sealed molding box 1;
And a means for driving the stirrer 9. The tofu manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a packing (13) in contact with the upper edge of the opening of the molding box (1) is provided on the lower surface of the lid (4).

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