JP4540810B2 - Noodle gelatinization equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for gelatinizing noodles.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a general method for producing instant noodles, first, raw materials such as wheat flour, buckwheat flour, and starch are put into a kneading machine such as a mixer, and kneaded water is kneaded for a predetermined time after supplying prepared water. Next, the dough (noodle dough) taken out from the kneader is formed to a predetermined thickness with a roll rolling device, and the noodle strands cut into a predetermined length with a noodle stringer are placed on a conveyor and sent to a gelatinizer, After performing the steaming process by steaming for a predetermined time in the steam atmosphere of the gelatinization apparatus, it is transported to a frying apparatus or hot air apparatus as a drying process. Here, the steaming process is performed by the gelatinization apparatus in order to change the starch of the noodle strings into a form that can be easily digested by hydrothermal treatment, that is, to gelatinize the starch.
[0003]
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a conventional gelatinizer. This pasting device advances the forward path of the net conveyor 8 to the horizontally extending device space 6 defined by the upper cover 2 and the lower cover 4, and the steam is generated upward from the steam pipe 8 disposed on the lower cover 4. The apparatus space 8 is made into the steam chamber 6 by feeding
The net conveyor 8 includes two endless roller chains 10 and 12 arranged in parallel to each other, a net 14 stretched between the roller chains 10 and 12, and the width directions of the upper cover 2a and the lower cover 2b. A rail 16 that is disposed on the end side and rolls the rollers of the roller chains 6 and 8 and a drive sprocket (not shown) that drives the roller chains 10 and 12 are provided.
[0004]
Then, the noodle strings N placed on the net 14 are steamed to perform the steaming process by passing the net 14 in the forward path through the steam chamber 6 at a predetermined conveying speed.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the above-described conventional gelatinization apparatus, the steam supplied upward from the steam pipe 8 flows to the upper part of the steam chamber 6 after bypassing the roller chain 10, 12 side in the width direction of the net 14. There is a risk that the steam coming into contact with the noodle strings N may decrease.
For this reason, the steam supply amount from the steam pipe 8 is increased so that the steam is sufficiently distributed to the noodle strings N as the steam chamber 6 in a high mist state, the transport speed of the net 14 is slowed, the steaming process line It is possible to make the length longer.
[0006]
However, if the steaming process time is lengthened or a large amount of steam is required, there is a problem in terms of running cost. In addition, if the production line for noodles becomes long, there is a problem in terms of apparatus cost.
Therefore, the present invention has been made paying attention to such conventional problems, and a noodle gelatinization apparatus that can efficiently perform a steaming process of noodle strings while suppressing running costs and apparatus costs. It is intended to provide.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the noodle gelatinization apparatus of the present invention conveys noodle strings placed on a conveyor into a steam chamber, and supplies steam from a steam pipe disposed at the lower portion of the steam chamber. An apparatus for gelatinizing noodles for performing a steaming process of noodle strings, wherein the conveyor has two endless chains arranged parallel to each other in the steam chamber, and an endless net stretched between the chains. And a drive unit that drives the chain to advance the net, and the steam in the steam chamber extends to the chain at positions extending in the net traveling direction at both ends in the width direction of the net. It is an apparatus provided with a vapor shielding means for preventing flow to the side.
[0008]
The invention according to claim 2 is the noodle gelatinization device according to claim 1, wherein the vapor shielding means is embedded in a linear material forming the net at both ends in the width direction of the net. And a plurality of rod-shaped packing materials that are continuous in the traveling direction, and a strip-shaped packing material that is disposed in the lower part of the steam chamber so as to extend in the traveling direction so as to contact these packing materials from below. Consists of.
[0009]
Furthermore, the invention described in claim 3 is the noodle gelatinization apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the rod-shaped packing material and the belt-shaped packing material are members having excellent heat resistance.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a noodle gelatinization apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an entire noodle gelatinization apparatus according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the gelatinization apparatus according to the present embodiment.
[0011]
In the apparatus 20 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the conveyor forward path 28a of the net conveyor 28 advances in the arrow direction in the steam chamber 26 defined by the upper cover 22 and the lower cover 24 and extending in the horizontal direction. The conveyor return path 28b proceeds in the direction of the arrow outside the steam chamber 26, and high-temperature steam is fed into the steam chamber 26 from the steam pipe 31 disposed on the lower cover 24.
[0012]
The net conveyor 28 includes a pair of drive wheels 32, 34 disposed outside the steam chamber 26, two roller chains spanning the pair of drive wheels 32, 34 in parallel to each other, and two roller chains. 2 is provided with a net 36 stretched between and a rail which is disposed in the steam chamber 26 and rotatably supports the rollers of the two roller chains. One roller chain of the roller chain is shown, and a member denoted by reference numeral 33 in FIG. 2 shows a rail that supports the roller of one roller chain 30.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 3, the net 36 has a large number of horizontal lines 36a in which linear materials are arranged in parallel at a predetermined pitch, and a large number of cross-connected ridges of waves that are knitted into each horizontal line 36a. A plurality of meshes 36c are formed between the horizontal line 36a and the vertical line 36b.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a net fixing shaft 40 fixed coaxially to the roller 30a of the roller chain 30 in an annular space at a predetermined position defined by vertical lines 36b on both ends in the width direction of the net 36, and A rod-shaped packing material 42 having a substantially elliptical cross-sectional appearance fitted on the net fixing shaft 40 is press-fitted. Further, a rod-shaped packing material 44 having a substantially elliptical cross section is also press-fitted into another annular space defined by the above-described vertical line 36b not facing the roller 30a of the roller chain 30. The packing materials 42 and 44 are members having excellent heat resistance.
[0014]
In the upper part of the lower cover 24, a band-like packing 46 is provided which contacts all the packing materials 42 and 44 described above from the lower side and extends in the direction of the conveyor forward path 28a. This packing 46 is also a member excellent in heat resistance.
2 is a belt-like packing that prevents leakage of steam from the inside of the steam chamber 26 to the outside.
[0015]
And the noodle strings N travel on the conveyor forward path 28a and travel in the steam chamber 26 in the direction of the arrow. The noodle strings N have a long linear shape obtained by cutting a noodle strip having a predetermined thickness by a roll rolling device with a cutting blade device.
Here, the packing materials 42, 44 and 46 correspond to the vapor shielding means of the present invention.
[0016]
According to the gelatinization apparatus 20 having the above-described configuration, the packings 42 and 44 disposed at both ends in the width direction of the net 36 are conveyed on the lower cover 24 when the conveyor forward path 28a of the net conveyor 28 advances in the steam chamber 26. Since it moves in contact with the belt-like packing 46 extending in the direction of the outward path 28a, the high-temperature steam sent from the steam pipe 31 into the steam chamber 26 does not bypass the roller chain 30 side.
[0017]
For this reason, when the noodle strings N are placed on the conveyor forward path 28a and conveyed into the steam chamber 26, the high-temperature steam sent out from the steam pipe 31 passes through the mesh 36c of the conveyor forward path 28a (net 36). Heading above the steam chamber, the entire noodle strings N are contacted.
As described above, in the apparatus of the present embodiment, the high-temperature steam sent out from the steam pipe 31 flows toward the net 36 on which the noodle strings N are placed, and efficiently performs the steaming process without flowing in the other direction. Therefore, the consumption of steam does not increase and the running cost can be reduced.
[0018]
Moreover, since the complete steaming process of the noodle strings N can be performed without slowing down the transport speed of the conveyor forward path 28a and further lengthening the steaming process line, the apparatus cost can be reduced.
Further, as a mechanism for preventing the flow of steam to the roller chain 30 side, the packings 42 and 44 disposed at both ends in the width direction of the net 36 and the belt-shaped packing 46 disposed on the lower cover 24 are merely in contact with each other. In addition, the apparatus cost can be further reduced.
[0019]
Further, since the packings 42, 44, and 46 are members having excellent heat resistance, the function of shielding the steam toward the roller chain 30 can be maintained for a long time even when exposed to high-temperature steam for a long time. it can.
In the present embodiment, the net 36 is composed of a large number of horizontal lines 36a in which linear materials are arranged in parallel at a predetermined pitch, and a large number of vertical lines 36b knitted in a waveform on each horizontal line 36a. Even if it is a net, the same effect can be obtained.
[0020]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the noodle gelatinization device according to claim 1 of the present invention, the high-temperature steam sent out from the steam pipe flows to the chain side at both ends in the width direction of the net by the steam shielding means. Is shielded and flows toward the net on which the noodle strings are placed, and the steaming process is performed efficiently, so that the consumption of steam does not increase and the running cost can be reduced. Further, since the complete steaming process of the noodle strings can be performed without slowing down the traveling speed of the net and further lengthening the steaming process line, the apparatus cost can be reduced.
[0021]
According to the invention described in claim 2, since the steam flow can be shielded to the chain side by the steam shielding means having a simple mechanism, the cost of the apparatus can be further reduced.
Further, according to the invention described in claim 3, since the rod-shaped packing material and the belt-shaped packing material are members having excellent heat resistance, the roller chain even when exposed to high-temperature steam supplied into the steam chamber for a long period of time. The function of shielding the vapor to the side can be maintained for a long time.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an entire noodle gelatinization apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the pasting apparatus.
3 is a view taken along the line III-III in FIG.
4 is a view taken in the direction of arrows IV-IV in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional noodle gelatinization apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
20 Pasting device 22 Upper cover 22
24 Lower cover 24
26 Steam chamber 26
28a Conveyor outbound path 28a
30 Roller chain 30a Roller 31 Steam pipes 32, 34 Drive wheels 32, 34
33 Rail 36 Net 36
36a Horizontal line 36b Vertical line 36c Mesh 40 Fixed shafts 42, 44 Rod-shaped packing material 46 Strip-shaped packing N Noodle string

Claims (3)

A noodle gelatinizer that performs a steaming process of the noodle strings by transporting the noodle strings placed on the conveyor into the steam chamber, and supplying steam from the steam pipe disposed in the lower portion of the steam chamber to the steam chamber,
An endless two-strand chain arranged parallel to each other in the steam chamber, an endless net stretched between the chains, and a drive unit that drives the chain to advance the net The steam shielding means for preventing the steam in the steam chamber from flowing to the chain side is provided at positions extending in the traveling direction of the net on both ends in the width direction of the net. Noodle gelatinization equipment. A plurality of rod-shaped packing materials that are continuous in the traveling direction in a state where the vapor shielding means is embedded in a linear material forming the net at both ends in the width direction of the net, and the lower side to the packing material 2. The noodle gelatinization device according to claim 1, further comprising a band-shaped packing material disposed in a lower portion of the steam chamber so as to be in contact with the belt and extending in the traveling direction. The noodle gelatinization device according to claim 2, wherein the rod-shaped packing material and the band-shaped packing material are members having excellent heat resistance.

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