JP5959559B2 - Batch type coagulation apparatus for tofu and batch type coagulation method for tofu - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides soy milk and a coagulant that are respectively supplied to one or more coagulation containers fixedly arranged on a base and discharged from the lower side of each coagulation container via a soy milk coagulum discharging means. The present invention relates to a batch-type solidification apparatus for tofu and a batch-type solidification method for tofu.

  Conventionally, to produce tofu by solidifying soy milk, it is produced by using a coagulation container such as a mold box, a bowl or a bucket in small-scale production, but in mass production, soy milk is conveyed without using a mold box. The tofu is solidified while being conveyed by a conveyor, and is continuously produced. The method using a mold box is a traditional method of carefully producing tofu, but it is unsuitable for mass production with machines, so it is necessary to increase the amount of production per hour. A continuous molding machine is used, and the solidification part is rationalized using a continuous solidification machine or a batch continuous solidification machine. In addition, since the apparatus cost and space are reduced, and the range of coagulation conditions is wide and fine adjustment is easy, a batch continuous coagulator that rotates the bucket is often used for the coagulation part.

  As an apparatus for coagulating soymilk using such a mold box, Patent Document 1 discloses a bottomed solidification container with a stirrer. Further, there is a disclosure of Patent Document 2. Furthermore, Patent Document 3 is a fixed type in which a plurality of coagulation containers are fixedly arranged on a base, and the movement between the small resistance position and the large resistance position is variable in the circumferential direction within each coagulation container. It is disclosed that “stirring stationary means” is provided.

Japanese Patent Publication No.45-40635 Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 47-42517 JP 2010-193854 A

By the way, in the case of tofu products other than silken tofu or soft tofu, soy milk is poured hot into a coagulation container (mold box or bowl) → put a coagulant → stir so that the coagulant is evenly distributed → fixed time The production method of breaking the aged soymilk coagulum is an indispensable work for producing using the above mold box, and in that case, accurate stirring means and breaking means are indispensable (The first point that determines the quality of tofu and fried tofu). In addition, not only “hardening” but also “sucking” makes it possible to maximize the umami and water retention of soy protein. It is also indispensable to restrict the flow generated by the stirring by the stirring means (second point that affects the quality of tofu and fried chicken).
However, in Patent Document 3, there is no blade-type stirring device (moving between a small resistance position and a large resistance position in the coagulation vessel in a variable manner in the circumferential direction), and coagulation is caused by the liquid flow through the soymilk supply pipe. If the coagulation and stirring is completed with only the soymilk liquid flow, it is difficult to adjust the coagulation state in the coagulation container, the quality stability, reproducibility and accuracy are likely to be low, soymilk concentration and viscosity, etc. If there is a variation due to, there is a problem that the solidification state is likely to change.
In addition, even in the production of fried tofu, the coagulated soymilk coagulum may be broken and sent to a molding machine. However, in Patent Document 3, since there is no means for breaking it, it is aged and coagulated. ) Is separated and discharged in the state of floating or sinking (it becomes a non-uniform solidified product). In a conventional coagulation vessel circulating type (also referred to as a bucket type) coagulator, there is a breaking means at a position different from that of the agitator, and it is generally broken, and each circulating coagulation vessel has a lid attached. Difficult, almost open to the atmosphere, and during production for a long time, deposits of soy milk and soy milk coagulum were likely to occur in the wetted parts of each part, which was susceptible to foreign matter contamination and microbial contamination. When the coagulation vessel is inverted and the soymilk coagulum is transferred to the subsequent process, splashes are scattered around the periphery, or drops falling from the soymilk supply nozzle, stirring blades or breaking blades withdrawn upward fall outside the coagulation vessel and wash It took a lot of time and effort, and it fell on the floor and became one of the causes of off-flavors.
Patent Document 3 describes that if there is a stirring means, a solidified substance adheres to and grows on the stirring means, so that uniform solidification gradually becomes impossible. In this regard, in Patent Document 3, since there is no explanation about the lid, if there is no lid, it is considered that the solidified material will adhere and grow rapidly, and there is a high possibility that dust will enter in terms of hygiene. Have a problem. Moreover, there is no description about the breaking means of soymilk coagulum.
Further, Patent Document 3 describes that CIP (Cleaning in place: a method of cleaning by flowing a cleaning agent without disassembling the apparatus) cannot be performed, but conversely, the efficiency is improved by agitation means and flow control means. It is thought that good cleaning is possible.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to perform uniform solidification without unevenness by a uniform stirring means for each of a plurality of solidification containers arranged on a base, and solidified substances are present in the liquid contact part of the stirring means or the like. Adhesion and growth are also suppressed, and the stirring means can be used to break up aged coagulum, and the agitation means and the flow control means can be effectively used during cleaning, eliminating product unevenness and ensuring stable quality. An object of the present invention is to provide a tofu batch coagulation apparatus and a tofu batch coagulation method which can be maintained and can be continuously produced in a sanitary manner and connected to a molding machine in a subsequent process. Further, depending on the program, it is possible to provide a tofu batch coagulation apparatus and a tofu batch coagulation method that facilitate the change of coagulation ripening time, and facilitate easy intermediate cleaning during production.

The batch type coagulation method for tofu according to the present invention is for fried or cotton tofu for each of the coagulation containers having one or more upper openings fixedly arranged on a base and having a solid content concentration. 2-7% wt, soy milk supply means for supplying soy milk whose soy milk temperature is adjusted to 60-100 ° C., coagulant supply means, soy milk coagulum discharge means, agitation means, blades in the wetted part of the agitation means, agitation means In the batch-type coagulation apparatus for tofu comprising the control means of
The agitating type of the agitating means is a general purpose motor such as a motor with a brake, an inverter control motor, a screw agitation type for shaft rotation drive control of a servo control motor or a rotary agitation type, an inverter control motor or a servo control motor A one-two stirring type that moves up and down by linear drive control with a cylinder or air cylinder or electric cylinder, a vertical type that moves the plate vertically or slightly tilting, and a vertical type that moves from the top or a robot that can operate in multiple axes A stirring system that operates in the system,
The stirring means adjusts the rotation speed or speed, time, and position of the blades of the wetted part of the stirring means and the stirring means by numerical control by the control means of the stirring means, so that stirring is performed after or during stirring. And the blade of the wetted part of the agitation means make the flow of soy milk or soy milk coagulate static, change the flow, or generate a turbulent flow. A means, and
The agitation means adjusts the rotational speed or speed, time, and position of the blades of the wetted part of the agitation means and the agitation means numerically by the control means of the agitation means, so that the solidification aging is completed after the completion of the solidification aging. Inside, the stirring means and the blade of the wetted part of the stirring means become a breaking means for breaking and uniforming the soymilk coagulum,
Adding a coagulant to the soymilk weighed in the coagulation container, and reproducing the grip by the stirring means, the flow restricting means and the breaking means; Adjust the numerical value of the rotational speed or speed, time, and position by the control means of the stirring means, coagulate and mature in the coagulation vessel, break well and homogenize to make the soy milk coagulum in a rag shape ,
After that, it is characterized in that it is quantitatively continuously fed from the lower side of each coagulation container to a continuous molding machine in a subsequent process through a soymilk coagulum discharge means and continuously molded into fried dough or hard cotton tofu .
According to the research of the present inventor, if there is a stirring means described in Patent Document 3, the stirrer is controlled as to the point that the solidified material adheres to and grows on the stirring means and gradually solidifies. Ingenuity, mixing the agitation means with the current control means, or providing the agitation means and the current control means separately to stabilize the flow of soy milk, changing the flow, or causing turbulence In addition to being able to reproduce the “handing-up” by making good use of the numerical value of the action of the function, the soymilk can be supplied from the lower side of the coagulation container, reducing the wetted part as much as possible, and being surrounded by the lid and the coagulation container It has been found that the effective method is to prevent the solidified product from drying in the space, and each wetted part is movable even if it is movable, or that simple cleaning with hot water is performed regularly. In Patent Document 3, it is described that CIP (Cleaning in place: a method of cleaning by flowing a detergent solution without disassembling the apparatus) cannot be performed if there is a stirring apparatus. As described above, the CIP cleaning, in which the supplied cleaning liquid (including hot water) is vigorously stirred and cleaned more efficiently by using the stirring means, is better.
Therefore, the batch-type coagulation apparatus for tofu according to the present invention includes a soymilk supply unit, a coagulant supply unit, and a soymilk coagulation unit for each of the coagulation containers that are fixedly arranged on a base and have one or more upper openings. In a batch-type coagulation apparatus for tofu using a soymilk coagulum discharge means from below each coagulation vessel, comprising a material discharge means and a stirring means, the liquid contact portion of the stirring means It has a blade, and the control of the agitating means is a screw agitating type or an axial type of rotating operation of the shaft rotation driving control of an inverter control motor or a servo control motor. Each of the coagulation containers that are fixedly arranged on the base and have an opening at the top includes a soymilk supply means, a coagulant supply means, a soymilk coagulum discharge means, and a stirring means, In a batch-type coagulation apparatus for tofu that is discharged from a lower part of a container to a molding machine of a subsequent process through a soymilk coagulum discharging unit, the blade is a wetted part of the stirring unit, and the control of the stirring unit is controlled by an inverter. It is characterized by the one-two stirring type of linear drive control by a motor, servo control, air cylinder, electric cylinder or the like.
Here, it is preferable that the solidified container with a lid is provided with a ventilation means that communicates with the inside and outside. The ventilation means may be provided with a ventilation pipe or a ventilation hole disposed in a non-wetted part such as a lid or an upper side wall of the coagulation container, an automatic valve that opens and closes appropriately, and a simple lid and coagulation container that are not sealed. It may be a gap between the two. During or after the discharge of the soymilk coagulum, the inside of the coagulation container almost closed with a lid is maintained in a state where water vapor is swelled by the water vapor actively blown by the steam supply means (a state full of water vapor). It is preferable to keep. By maintaining the inside of the solidified container with such a lid filled with water vapor even in an empty state, growth of soy milk and soy milk coagulated material adhering to the wetted part such as a stirring means is suppressed. At the same time, all the wetted parts in the coagulation vessel are always kept at a high temperature, and germination and growth of spore bacteria can be suppressed. Note that the coagulation vessel and the lid have a heat insulation structure such as a double structure or a heat insulation material, which is a preferable form because it is difficult to cause condensation of stale steam and it is not necessary to supply excess water vapor.
The coagulation apparatus in the present invention is a batch type, and compared with a continuous type coagulation apparatus suitable for mass production of a single product, it is easy to switch the coagulation conditions and has an advantage suitable for multi-product production. In the subsequent molding process of the batch type solidification apparatus according to the present invention, a batch type molding process in which each mold box is molded may be used. However, since the molding process generally has few adjustment elements and good cleaning workability, it is a continuous molding machine. Is preferred. For example, it is stored in the soymilk coagulum receiving tank of the continuous molding machine and then continuously supplied to the continuous molding machine with a positive displacement metering pump, or the soymilk coagulated product and soy on the continuous molding machine are separated directly. In the same manner, it can be continuously supplied to the water take-up machine, or it can be continuously supplied to the hopper of the distributor that distributes the soy milk coagulum evenly on the lower cloth in the case of the full-capacity method. Similarly, by continuously supplying onto the lower cloth, it is possible to reduce the number of tanks and pipes in the middle, reduce the number of cleaning parts and dirty parts, and construct a hygienic and inexpensive continuous solidification molding line system. . In the present invention, since the coagulation container is not reversed or moved around as in the prior art, soy milk or soy milk coagulated material does not scatter around the coagulation apparatus, which can contribute to hygienic factory management.
Here, the stirring means is controlled by a control means provided on the base. The control means may be a general-purpose motor such as a motor with a brake, but accurate positioning and accurate control by rotational drive control of an inverter control motor, servo control motor, etc., and linear drive control by an air cylinder, an electric cylinder, etc. A system capable of adjusting the rotation speed and speed is preferable. A robot control system capable of multi-axis operation may be used. The soymilk supply means and the coagulant supply means may be arranged so as to be fed from above the coagulation container as usual, or may be arranged directly on the side wall or the lower side (bottom) of the coagulation container. The stirring means in this case may be a rotary stirring type or a one-two stirring type. The soymilk coagulum discharge means is usually configured to provide an opening at the bottom of the coagulation container and to provide a valve, or may be configured to pump up by inserting a soymilk coagulum discharge pipe into the bottom of the coagulation container. . The bottom of the coagulation container has a structure that is easy to clean with no holes or dents, but the wetted part of the soymilk coagulum discharge pipe that is inserted as described below is lowered only when necessary, otherwise the soymilk or It is preferable that the soymilk coagulum is retracted above the liquid level of the soymilk coagulum and is always in a clotted container with a lid, so that the soymilk coagulum adhering to the liquid contact part of the soymilk coagulum discharge pipe can be suppressed. Further, the soymilk coagulum discharge pipe may be used also as the flow restricting means, or may be arranged and operated integrally with the flow restricting plate.
According to the present invention, since it is preferable that the coagulation container is provided with a lid and provided with ventilation means, soy milk coagulum is added to the coagulation container in which a certain degree of air permeability and airtightness is maintained. Saturated water vapor is actively supplied by the steam supply means so that the air sucked in and the internal space are moistened when discharged, so that the attached soy milk and soy milk coagulum hardly dry. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of deposits on each wetted part. Furthermore, since it can be used for high-temperature holding and steam sterilization in the coagulation vessel, it is preferable from the viewpoint of hygiene. By controlling so that the wetted part of the stirring means is present in the clotted container thus covered, the shape of the wetted part such as the stirring blade is not easily changed by the adhering substance, so that the accurate control of the stirring means is performed. Can be maintained for a long time, and a stable and uniform solidified state can be obtained for a long time. In addition, by controlling the shaft rotation and the up and down reciprocating motion of the agitation means finely by the control means provided on the base, the agitation means can be adapted to the soy conditions and soy milk conditions that change according to the season, lot and variety. The agitation state can be set numerically, and accurate, reproducible and fine-tuned adjustments can be made.
The present invention is characterized in that the stirring means also serves as a breaking means for uniformly and roughly crushing the coagulated and aged soymilk coagulated product. In general, in the production of tofu other than silk tofu and soft tofu, especially in the production of fried tofu, the coagulated and aged soymilk coagulate is once broken roughly and evenly and sent to a molding machine. According to the present invention, it is possible to form the soymilk coagulum solidified and aged using the above-mentioned stirring means uniformly and roughly and uniformly, so that the soymilk coagulum can be flowed and discharged from the soymilk coagulum discharge means. Become. The breaking condition may be the same as the stirring condition or may be a different rotational speed or speed. At that time, the flow control means may be used in combination. Since the stirring means can also be used as a breaking means that is important for the production of tofu, it is possible to stabilize the quality by reducing the apparatus cost without providing a breaking means separately. This breaking is also called breaking or crushing.
The present invention is characterized in that the liquid contact portion of the stirring means is restricted so as to be able to rise above the liquid level of the soymilk or soymilk coagulum and not to exceed the lid.
According to the present invention, the soaking milk or the soy milk coagulated product is soaked in the coagulation vessel filled with saturated water vapor so as to keep the wetted part from the soy milk or the soy milk coagulated product, for example, by a lifting mechanism. The retreat operation can be performed by raising the liquid surface above the liquid surface or by swinging the liquid contact portion above the liquid surface by the variable angle mechanism. Thereby, the growth of the deposits of soy milk and soy milk coagulum can be suppressed, and the coagulation state can be adjusted more accurately, so-called “close” coagulation can be performed, and the product quality can be further improved. As described above, in addition to the agitation means, the soymilk supply means and the soymilk coagulum discharge means can also be connected to each other in the form of lowering the pipe to the bottom in the coagulation container and retracting it above the liquid level. It is preferable that the liquid portion is restricted so as not to exceed the lid.
Here, as with the agitation means, when the agitation means is a rotary type, the liquid contact part of the flow restricting means can also rise above the liquid level of the soymilk or soymilk coagulum, and is restricted so that it does not exceed the lid. It is characterized by being.

In the present invention, it is preferable that a flow restricting means for restricting the flowing soy milk or soy milk coagulum is provided, and the liquid contact part thereof is provided in the coagulation vessel. And the batch-type solidification method for tofu is after the end of the stirring by the stirring means or during the stirring, the flow is stopped by the flow-control means, the flow is changed, or the turbulent flow is caused. It is characterized in that at least one of the restraints is effective. The flow restricting means may be fixedly disposed on any one of the coagulation vessel, the lid, and the base, and the liquid contact portion of the flow restricting means may be provided movably. The control means of the movable part of the flow restricting means is provided in any one of the coagulation vessel, the lid and the base, and the control means may be a general-purpose motor such as a motor with a brake, but it is an inverter control motor, a servo control A system capable of accurate positioning and operation by rotational drive control of a motor or the like or linear drive control by an air cylinder, an electric cylinder or the like is preferable. A robot control system capable of multi-axis operation may be used.
According to the present invention, for example, by quickly stopping the flow of soymilk or soymilk coagulum after the completion of accurate stirring, and by applying a flow restricting means during stirring, the flow generated by stirring by the stirring means is reduced. By controlling the flow accurately, that is, “getting close”, the umami taste of soy milk and the water retention of soy protein can be maximized, and the stirring effect can be further enhanced by assisting the stirring means. Here, for the purpose of reducing the wetted part to which soy milk or the like adheres, and for the purpose of suppressing foaming and air mixing, from the upper side (including the lid), the lower side or the side of the coagulation container, Soy milk is supplied to the lower side, particularly the bottom (lowermost part) via the soy milk supply means, and the coagulant is supplied via the coagulant supply means, and the soy milk and coagulant supplied to these coagulation containers are supplied to them. In accordance with any of the above supply timings, the agitation is performed by the agitation unit or the flow control unit, and the flow is stopped, the flow is changed, or turbulence is caused by the flow control unit during or after the completion of the agitation. It is preferable to perform at least one of the flow control.

According to the present invention, the coagulation vessel is provided with a flow restricting means for restricting the flowing soy milk or the soy milk coagulum, and the flow of the soy milk or the soy milk coagulated substance is stopped while stirring by the stirring means. It is preferable to perform at least any one of the restraints that cause the turbulent flow.
According to the present invention, the flow restricting means is an auxiliary means for stirring, and exhibits a single action or a combined action such as preliminary stirring, turbulent flow, or static depending on the timing of application. Using both agitation means and flow control means, the physical arrangement of both and the combination of timings (time) to work with each other are finely controlled to promote protein binding in a shorter time and evenly. To form solidified particles (coagulated material) with good water retention. In general, it is difficult to control solidification and gathering with only one of the stirring means and the flow restricting means, but by combining these, it is possible to realize the "working" work seen in the manual work of craftsmen with a machine.

In the present invention, the agitation means is also used as a flow restricting means for restricting the flowing soy milk or soy milk coagulum, so that the flow is stopped, the flow is changed, or the flow is restricted. At least any one of them is controlled. That is, the agitation means is configured such that the liquid contact portion with the supplied soy milk is configured as a blade having a predetermined size with respect to the container, and when the rotation of the blade is stopped, the direction of the flow of the soy milk or the soy milk coagulum is determined. It also serves as a flow control means that controls flow by changing the flow rate and the like. In other words, after the stirring by the stirring means is completed or during the stirring, the flow is stopped, the flow is changed, or a turbulent flow is caused by the flow restricting means.
According to the present invention, when the agitating means stops or decelerates its rotation, it plays a role as a restricting means, so that a restricting means called a baffle plate is unnecessary. Here, the flow control of the flow control means includes the meaning of turbulence in addition to the meaning of stopping, changing the direction and strength (speed and acceleration) of the flow, and controlling the flow.

The present invention is characterized in that the agitation means is a rotary type, and the rotation axis thereof is oblique with respect to the coagulation vessel, or the rotation axis is decentered from the center of the coagulation vessel. .
For example, when the stirring means is rotary stirring, and there is a rotating shaft at the center of a circular coagulation vessel as viewed from above, the rotational flow is the center, and the upstream and downstream are unlikely to occur. It takes time. According to the present invention, the rotating shaft is provided at an eccentric position other than the center when viewed from above the circular coagulation vessel, or is provided in an oblique direction so that upstream and downstream are likely to occur in addition to the rotating flow. Thus, uniform stirring can be performed quickly. Further, due to the eccentricity, the agitating action corresponding to the coagulation vessel having the hemispherical bottom and the restricting action when combined with the restricting means become possible at the eccentric position.
The rotary stirring means may be provided on the lower side of the coagulation vessel in addition to the upper side of the coagulation vessel, and may be oblique to the coagulation vessel or at a position eccentric from the center of the coagulation vessel. In addition, according to the present invention, there is a case where the flow restricting means is not particularly required during stirring or after stirring is stopped.

  The present invention is characterized in that soy milk is supplied from the lower side of each coagulation container through a soy milk supply tube. It is also preferred that the soymilk supply pipe and the coagulant supply pipe are connected and then temporarily mixed, and then the coagulant-containing soymilk is supplied into the coagulation container from the lower side of each coagulation container. The coagulant supply pipe, the soymilk supply pipe, and the soymilk coagulated product discharge pipe connected to the coagulation container may have separate openings or openings at the bottom of the coagulation container. In the conventional apparatus, it is a coagulation container without a lid, and soy milk is dropped from the soymilk-containing nozzle above the coagulation container (for example, cited reference 3), or the nozzle is lowered to the vicinity of the bottom of the coagulation container and rises and waits. Soy milk supply. However, the nozzle was open to the atmosphere, and soy milk adhesion was likely to occur on the inner and outer surfaces of the nozzle. In addition, when dropping soymilk into the coagulation container from above (for example, cited reference 3), a coagulant is supplied at the same time, the viscosity becomes higher than that of soymilk, and the chewed air does not separate and float and is easily embraced by the soymilk coagulum. Become. This is because when soy milk is dropped into the coagulation container or when a coagulant is added to the soy milk in the coagulation container, for example, when frying, foaming in the coagulation container and a slight amount of air mixing change. It affects the stretch of the fabric and the skin. As described above, quality irregularities (problems such as stickiness, large glass eyes, bloating, etc.) and quality instability were easily caused, and foaming and air contamination that had an effect on product quality were liable to occur. On the other hand, according to the present invention, since it is directly connected to the vicinity of the bottom of the coagulation container, there is no need for a nozzle from above where soy milk or coagulated material adheres, and soy milk is supplied by the soy milk supply pipe, so extra bubbles and The occurrence of air contamination can be suppressed. As a result, for example, when fried, there is less unevenness in product quality, and stable mass production becomes possible. In addition, since there is no soymilk supply piping in the coagulation container, there are few places where the deposits are generated, and the cleaning property is improved.

  According to the present invention, the lid and the agitation means are attached to the coagulation container, and the soymilk supply means and the like are supplied from the lower side, so that the inside of the coagulated container with the lid is supplied with steam or steam supply means generated from hot soymilk. Maintaining a steamy state or programming a hot water washing process during production suppresses the growth of soy milk and soy milk coagulum deposits and suppresses the generation of bubbles. By stirring, uniform solidification without unevenness becomes possible. In addition, by arranging the flow control means, it is possible to produce a more uniform soy milk coagulum, and by controlling the stirring means and flow control means provided on these bases by the control means, depending on the season, lot and variety Corresponding to changing soymilk conditions, it is possible not only to finely adjust the coagulation close to manual work of craftsmanship, and to set the stirring state by the stirring means numerically, but also to use the stirring means as a breaker Soy milk coagulum can be made uniform, product quality can be stabilized, and there is an advantage that it is easy to manage. Furthermore, if the lid is attached to the coagulation container, it is hygienic because it prevents dust and foreign matter from entering, and the inside of the coagulation container and the wetted part can always be kept at a high temperature. Compared to the conventional bucket type coagulation device that can be implemented and the coagulation container is not provided with a lid, and does not contaminate the periphery of the coagulation container, the factory can be kept clean. is there.

It is a figure which shows the batch type coagulation apparatus for tofu of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the batch type coagulation apparatus for tofu of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the batch type coagulation apparatus for tofu of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the batch type coagulation apparatus for tofu of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the application example of said each embodiment. It is a figure explaining the application example of said each embodiment.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a soymilk supply pipe 5 that is a soymilk supply means, a coagulant supply pipe 6 that is a coagulant supply means, and a soymilk coagulation with respect to a plurality of coagulation containers 2 that are open at the top. This is a tofu curd batch coagulation apparatus 1A provided with soymilk coagulum discharge pipes 7 as product discharge means. The coagulation container 2 has a structure in which a lid 8 is attached to an upper opening of the coagulation container 2 to be almost hermetically sealed.
The base 3 includes a soy milk tank T1 for storing soy milk, a coagulant tank T2 for storing a coagulant, and a water heater Tu for supplying hot water (preferably 60 to 100 ° C.) used for cleaning. At the same time, the stirring means 4 is controlled by the control means Ts provided on the base 3. Steam supply means T6 for supplying steam is also provided. The steam supply means T6 may be shared by the soymilk supply means, but is provided on the base 3 even if it is independently provided. The steam supply means T6 is separately provided, and a normal boiler or a saturated steam generator by piping (water vapor that is evaporated by heating hot water with steam from the boiler, etc., can be obtained near saturation with a relative humidity of 100%) It is preferable to blow in water vapor (preferably saturated water vapor) supplied from.
Such a tofu batch coagulation apparatus 1 </ b> A is fixed to the base 3 in a vertical posture, and is discharged from below each coagulation container 2 to a subsequent molding step via the soymilk coagulum discharge means 7. Although not shown in the subsequent molding process, it is supplied directly to the soymilk coagulum receiving tank of the continuous molding machine, or directly to the water removal machine that separates the soymilk coagulated product from the whey without going through the receiving tank. However, in the case of using the full-capacity method, the soymilk coagulate is distributed directly on the lower cloth without using a soymilk coagulum receiving tank or water removal machine, or directly fed to the hopper of the distributor. Supply directly onto the lower cloth. In the present invention, the target product is preferably a product that breaks and forms a crushed coagulum or soft pudding coagulum, such as cotton tofu, fried dough, thick fried dough, fresh fried dough, frozen tofu dough, cancer Tofu doughs for secondary processed foods such as dodoki (Hiryu head) dough and these frozen products are referred to as tofu. Also included are tofu doughs made by finely pulverizing silken tofu and pudding-like coagulum. Among them, the solidification molding process of deep-fried dough such as sushi fried, thin fried and thick fried is the most preferable object. The pre- and post-processes of the coagulation apparatus of the present invention are not particularly limited. For example, soy milk to be used is degassed in advance or sterilized, and various additives (antifoaming agent, auxiliary material, auxiliary raw material) are added in advance. The tofu can be a batch molding machine as a post process, but it is supplied to a continuous molding machine or a batch continuous molding machine with a formwork, and then a cutting machine, boil sterilizer, cooling device, freezer freezer, You may process by the manufacturing process line provided with a packaging machine etc. If the coagulant (magnesium chloride, calcium sulfate, etc.) and auxiliary materials (transglutaminase, starch, etc.) used in the present invention can be added in a liquid form by dissolving or dispersing in a food solvent such as water, Any commercially available product may be used and is not particularly limited.

The coagulation vessel 2 has a shape in which an upper cylindrical portion 2a and a lower hemispherical bottom portion 2b are continuous, and there are ventilation means such as an opening and a vent on the upper side wall and lid, and the opening of the coagulation vessel 2 is opened. A lid 8 that is substantially closed from above is provided. Since the lid 8 is provided, it can be completely sealed or almost sealed (not completely sealed, but has an opening and a vent), which suppresses excessive air flow and prevents dust and foreign matter from entering. A soymilk coagulum discharge pipe 7 and a pipe 5 for supplying soymilk are connected to a lower hemispherical bottom 2 b of each coagulation container 2. The hot water for washing the inside of the coagulation vessel 2 is supplied using a tube 5 for supplying soy milk. However, the hot water is connected to the lower hemispherical bottom portion 2b or the side wall of the lid 8 or the cylindrical portion 2a. The form which sprinkles from the upper side may be sufficient. The coagulant is supplied by a pipe 6 connected to the side wall of the upper cylindrical part 2a. The lid 8 of the present embodiment is a single-piece lid that covers the opening of the coagulation vessel 2 from above. For example, the lid half is fixed and the other half is removable, and a simple structure that can be covered from above, or a hinge. A structure in which a part thereof is opened and closed by an equation or the like may be used. Further, if the coagulation vessel side is provided with a ventilation means, the stirring shaft and the like may have a seal structure, and the lid may have a lid structure that is completely sealed by bolting and the like. Aseptic sanitary structures such as sanitary tanks may be used, but in such cases, a vent pipe with a valve or a vent with a sterile filter is provided separately on the upper side of the side wall of the cylindrical portion 2a of the coagulation vessel or on the lid 8. Is essential. As described above, the lid 8 and the upper part of the side wall of the coagulation vessel 2 (the inner surface is a non-wetted part) are used for the soymilk supply pipe, the coagulant supply pipe, the rotating shaft of the stirring means 4 and the operation of the flow control means. There is a through hole, there is a breathable gap (this gap may be used as a vent hole), a vent opening (vent pipe) 8a is provided, or an inverted U-shaped chimney (preferably with a filter) (See FIG. 2 (b)), a clearance is provided between the coagulation vessel 2 and the simple lid 8, or a vent is provided in the non-wetted part of the cylindrical part 2a. Don't make it. In order to visually check the cleanliness after washing, the lid 8 is preferably provided with a viewing window, a transparent resin lid, or easy to open and close. At the time of soymilk inflow or coagulated product discharge due to an air pipe, pump, or natural head, an open area and airflow that can secure an air exhaust flow rate and an air intake flow rate are required according to the liquid inflow rate and exhaust flow rate. In order to ensure air permeability, the cross-sectional area of the air pipe 8a is preferably sufficiently large.
Note that a valve may be provided in the vent pipe 8a so that it can be opened and closed as appropriate. The coagulation container 2 with the lid 8 may be completely sealed and the ventilation means may be appropriately opened and closed. In a process in which a predetermined amount of soy milk is supplied to the coagulation container 2 by the soy milk supply means 6, the atmosphere is released through the aeration means or the pressure is reduced to the atmospheric pressure or lower to exhaust the water vapor contained in the coagulation container and suck the soy milk. It may be allowed to flow. Further, in the step of discharging the soymilk coagulum by the soymilk coagulum discharging means, the air that has been released into the atmosphere through the venting means and has flowed into the coagulation vessel is replaced by sufficiently blowing water vapor with the steam supply means, or the venting means Is closed to shut off the inflowing air, and instead of air, steam is supplied by the steam supply means T6 to replace the inside of the coagulation vessel with water vapor, or the ventilation means is opened, and the steam supply means T6 sufficiently supplies the water vapor. It is also preferable to maintain the state in which the inside of the coagulation vessel is swollen with water vapor as described above. However, when the soymilk is supplied, if the inside of the coagulation container is subatmospheric, for example, if it is sucked under a strong pressure, the evaporation of moisture from the soymilk or soymilk coagulated product is further promoted to cause adhesion of the coagulated product. At this time, the coagulation vessel 2 is designed to withstand pressure reduction. Further, when discharging the soymilk coagulum, a draining method using a pump or a draining method using a drop is preferable, but a draining method in which the steam supply means T6 or compressed air supply means is used to press and extrude into the completely sealed coagulation vessel 2 may be used. However, in the pressure extrusion method, a discharge pump or the like can be omitted, but the coagulation vessel 2 requires legally designed, manufactured, inspected, etc., such as a pressure vessel.

  The stirring means 4 has a blade 4a attached to a rotating shaft 4b, and a part of the rotating shaft 4b and the blade 4a serve as a liquid contact portion 4c with the soy milk, thereby stirring the soy milk. The stirring means 4 is attached so that the shaft 4b penetrates the lid 8, or obliquely penetrates the coagulation vessel 2, and is fixed to the base 3, and the stirring blades are arranged in the soy milk solution. Preferred (see FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 1, the stirring blade portion may be moved in the coagulation vessel 2, and a driving means (cylinder) 4 s for driving up and down is installed on the liquid level of the coagulation vessel 2. In addition, a motor M for rotating the shaft 4b is attached. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, at least during production, the wetted part 4c of the stirring means 4 (the blade 4a and a part of the shaft 4b) is moved to the bottom of the coagulation vessel 2, or arranged near the liquid level, It is configured to be placed on the liquid surface or in a state of being restricted so as not to be retracted above the lid 8 of the coagulation container 2. The stirring means 4 is located above the soy milk liquid level so that the upper end of the shaft 4b or blade 4a (for example, the upper end of the wetted part 4c of the shaft 4b as in the central coagulation container in FIG. 1) stops under the lid 8. It moves upward by the drive means 4s so as to retreat, and conversely, it moves downward below the soymilk liquid level to near the bottom of the coagulation container. A space allowing the movement of the liquid contact portion 4c is provided in a range (upper space) surrounded by the coagulation container 2 and the lid 8. The agitation means 4 is not particularly limited, and may be a one-two agitation type, a screw agitation type, a chi-type (rotation operation, reciprocation operation, etc.), or the like. Although only the stirring means 4 is arranged in the coagulation vessel 2 of the present embodiment, and the flow control means 10 described later is not arranged, the stirring means 4 also serves as the flow control means, or is manufactured and aged. It can also be used as a breaking means for breaking the soy milk coagulum. The shape of the coagulation container 2 is not limited to the cylindrical cylinder type, and the bottom may be a hemispherical shape, a truncated cone shape, or a square type. It is also possible to increase the heat retention and adjust the temperature, such as a double jacketed air layer or a hot water circulating form, to minimize condensation of water vapor in the coagulation vessel. Further, it is preferable in that the machine temperature does not increase at the start or restart of production or the outside air temperature does not have to be taken into consideration, and the temperature unevenness in the coagulation vessel 2 is reduced to suppress the solidification unevenness.

Therefore, when the tofu batch coagulation apparatus 1A of the present embodiment is used, soy milk is supplied from the soy milk tank T1 to the coagulation container 2 via the soy milk supply pipe 5, and the coagulant charging pipe is supplied from the coagulant tank T2. 6 is supplied to the coagulation vessel 2 through 6 and the liquid level is raised until it is above the blades 4 a of the stirring means 4. The soy milk is poured from the bottom side into the coagulation vessel 2 with the lid 8 being hot from the soy milk supply pipe 5. When supplying soy milk, water vapor is positively supplied to moisten the internal space as necessary. The soy milk is stirred by the stirring means 4 immediately after the soy milk is supplied in the coagulating container 2 in which the water vapor is positively supplied into the coagulating container 2 in this way. Here, as a humid condition, the relative humidity is 50 to 100%, and more preferably 80% or more. Since the coagulation vessel 2 is provided with a substantially airtight lid 8 (having a minimum required air permeability), steam is always filled with water vapor so that the inside of the coagulation vessel 2 is maintained in a humid state with steam. If steam is continuously replenished from the supply means, moisture evaporation from the soymilk and soymilk coagulated product is suppressed, and soymilk and soymilk coagulated product adhesion and deposit growth can be suppressed.
By rotating the shaft 4b of the stirring means 4 by the control means Ts fixed to the base 3, the soy milk is stirred. Since only the stirring means 4 is arranged in the coagulation container 2 and soy milk is supplied from the lower side, the generation of bubbles is suppressed as compared with the conventional method of supplying from the upper side. Further, since only the blades 4a of the agitation means 4 are disposed in the coagulation vessel 2 and the flow control plate (baffle plate) 10 is not disposed, the inside of the coagulation vessel is simple and has good cleaning properties. Then, after the stirring is completed, the stirring means 4 is raised by the driving means 4s and placed in the retracted state. However, when the soymilk coagulated product is manufactured and matured, particularly when frying is produced, it is lowered again and matured. The soymilk coagulum is uniformly broken and then sent to a molding machine (not shown) in the subsequent process by the soymilk coagulum discharge means 7. As a post-process molding machine, in particular, when the post-process is a belt-type continuous molding machine, it is preferable to operate continuously in batches at regular time intervals. In the subsequent molding process, it is received in the receiving tank and then put into the molding machine. However, the receiving tank is omitted, and it can be directly supplied to the water removal device and distribution device of the molding machine or distributed directly in the form of cloth. Conceivable. In other words, the whole amount of soy milk coagulum is contained, and it is poured directly into the distributor (distributor), the lower cloth, or directly into the water taker in front of the distributor. Supply of soymilk coagulum is essential. In this case, since it is supplied onto the cloth by piping, in addition to the advantage that it does not cause excessive air biting in terms of product quality, in-line coagulation process, balance tank etc. in the middle of the process (for example, soy milk coagulum receiver) There is an advantage of reducing the equipment cost by reducing the tank).

Here, as the stirring means 4, as shown in the apparatus 1H of FIG. 6 (c), the rotary shaft 15b is L-shaped in the rotary type of the bowl. It is also possible to use the apparatus 1H in which the rotation shaft 15b is arranged at a position eccentric from the center of the coagulation vessel 2 (FIG. 6C). In the apparatus 1H of FIG. 6C, the liquid contact portion 15a of the stirring means 15 is plate-shaped and is arranged in a hanging posture, and the lower tip thereof is an arc corresponding to the shape of the lower hemispherical bottom 2b of the coagulation vessel 2. It is formed in a shape. As a result, it is possible to control the flow when the agitation and the flow control means are used in accordance with the solidification container 2 having the hemispherical bottom 2b. Further, the surface of the liquid contact portion 15a of the flow restricting means 10 and the stirring means 15 is finished to a smooth surface without irregularities by mirror polishing or the like, thereby suppressing the attachment of soy milk or soy milk coagulum, and assisting the cleaning effect. For example, a stainless steel material such as SUS316, SUS304, etc., which is mirror-finished by buffing (uses a fine abrasive of # 300 to 500 or more) or electrolytic polishing (surface finish Ra 1.6 or less, Rz 6.3 S or less). Use a stated member. Teflon coating (Teflon is a registered trademark) or lining may be used, but it can be peeled off and become a foreign object.
In addition, the plate of the liquid contact part 15a of the stirring means 15 may be in an inclined posture, and is likely to cause upstream and downstream turbulent flow. Although not shown in the figure, in the case of a rectangular solidification vessel, rotary stirring or one-two stirring may be used, but vertical stirring that operates in a square orbit while viewed from above while the plate is vertically or slightly inclined may be used.
Next, the coagulation container 2 is washed by supplying hot water from the soymilk supply pipe 6 connected to the water heater Tu and stirring it with the stirring means 4, 15, and is discharged from the soymilk coagulum discharge pipe 7. The The washing water may be hot water, fresh water, thin hypochlorous acid or sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution (food additive), ozone water, or the like. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, it is also possible to sprinkle and wash from the upper side to the coagulation container 2 from the water heater Tu.
Stirring control and washing of the plurality of coagulation containers 2 can be performed separately, and even in the same operation control, batch continuous operation can be performed by appropriately shifting the time. For example, when the coagulation vessel 2 is washed, it is programmed so that hot water is supplied to only one of them. During the production, simply washing the coagulation container 2 with hot water suppresses the adhesion of the soymilk and the like to the wetted part and the generation of bubbles, and therefore, a form programmed to be performed regularly and sequentially is preferable.

(Second Embodiment)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6B, the present embodiment is apparatuses 1B and 1G in which a stirring means 14 fixed to the base 3 is provided with blades 14a of a predetermined size. The stirring means 14 is obliquely attached to the lower base 3 and is arranged obliquely upward, but can be attached obliquely from above (see FIG. 6B). The blades 14 a of the stirring means 14 have an elliptical shape and are positioned at the lower hemispherical bottom 2 b of the coagulation container 2 to greatly agitate the soy milk in the coagulation container 2. The stirring means 14 plays a role as the flow restricting means 10 when the rotation of the blade 14a is stopped, and is provided with a blade 14a having a shape matching the shape of the lower hemispherical bottom portion 2b. Yes. In other words, convection is likely to occur even in the lower hemispherical bottom 2b of the coagulation vessel 2, and when the rotation of the blade 14a is stopped, the convection is easily stopped. For example, the stirring motor is a servo motor or the like and is preferably a control mechanism Ts that can be positioned. However, the control mechanism Ts is not particularly limited as long as the control mechanism can be positioned, and an articulated industrial robot using a multi-axis robot controller can also be used. It is possible to adjust the flow control effect by such positioning and timing setting changes. For example, at the end of stirring, the stationary posture, position, timing, deceleration, and speed of the stirring blade can be accurately adjusted so that the flow of soy milk can be suppressed weakly or strongly. In this way, since the blades 14a of the stirring means 14 corresponding to the shape of the lower hemispherical bottom 2b are arranged, the soy milk coagulum can be uniformly stirred at the lower hemispherical bottom 2b, and there is no unevenness. It can be solidified. In addition, a pipe 8a that secures air permeability is attached to the lid 8 so as to enter and exit air (breathing) when the contents are taken in and out. Further, the soymilk supply pipe 5 may be coupled to the side wall of the upper cylindrical portion 2a together with the coagulant supply pipe 6 (FIG. 3). The stirring means 14 may be arranged so as to be inserted into the coagulation vessel 2 obliquely from above and controlled by a control mechanism Ts provided on the base 3 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 6). (A) (b)).

  Therefore, according to the batch type coagulation apparatus 1B for tofu according to the present embodiment, the lid 8 is sealed to some extent so that the soy milk does not directly touch the outside air and does not dry in the coagulation container 2. Thus, it is possible to suppress the growth of deposits of soy milk and soy milk coagulum. And when supplying 60-100 degreeC hot soy milk from the soymilk supply pipe | tube 5, air is discharged | emitted, but when discharging | emitting soymilk coagulated substance from the soymilk coagulum discharge pipe | tube 7, the air suck | inhaled in the coagulation container 2 or Water vapor is positively supplied to the internal space so as to be replaced or filled with water vapor from the steam supply means T6 or steam derived from soy milk or coagulum. In this way, the soy milk is stirred by the stirring means 14 in the coagulation container 2 in which water vapor is positively supplied into the coagulation container 2. By stirring the soy milk slowly and greatly with the large blades 14a of the stirring means 14, the soy milk coagulum can be uniformly stirred at the lower hemispherical bottom 2b, and the stirring is reduced or stopped at a predetermined position. The blade 14a of the means 14 plays a role as a flow restricting means, and the "large" blade 14a functions to "close". Therefore, it is possible to produce a soymilk coagulated product that is softer and more elastic and binding than in the case of the first embodiment. Even when producing such a soymilk coagulum, the soymilk coagulum can suppress adhesion and growth.

(Third embodiment)
In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), a baffle plate 10 which is a baffle means is provided in the coagulation vessel 2, the agitation means 4 is disposed obliquely, and the blades 4a are provided in the coagulation vessel. 1C is a device 1C arranged to be positioned at the lower hemispherical bottom 2b of 2. That is, the baffle plate 10 is composed of a single rectangular plate and is attached by hanging along the side wall of the coagulation vessel 2, and the hemispherical bottom portion of the lower portion of the coagulation vessel 2 at a position lower than the lower end thereof. 2b. And the baffle plate 10 is perpendicular | vertical with respect to a side wall from the attitude | position (0 degree) parallel to the side wall of the coagulation container 2, for example by control by drive motors M, such as a position sensor, such as a rotary encoder and a photoelectric switch, and a servomotor. Positioning or speed control is performed so as to rotate 90 degrees in the posture, or to rotate or intermediately stop within a range of 0 to 180 degrees with respect to the side wall (also FIGS. 6A to 6C). reference). Note that the flow restriction effect can be arbitrarily adjusted by the rotation angle at which the flow restriction plate 10 stops. Although it is possible to arrange a plurality of the flow restricting plates 10 (in terms of the flow restricting effect, there may be any number or a large one), but the number of soy milk adhering places is reduced. In order not to get in the way of cleaning, one piece is used. The shape of the flow restricting means may be any member shape as long as the shape and size can change the flow of soymilk, and does not necessarily have the shape shown in the present application.
The soymilk supply pipe 5 of the present embodiment is connected to the side wall of the upper cylindrical portion 2 a together with the coagulant supply pipe 6. Further, the soymilk coagulum discharge pipe 7 is inserted from above the coagulation container 2, sucked and pumped up soymilk coagulum, and discharged from above via the pump P. The soymilk coagulum discharge pipe 7 may be connected to the lower hemispherical bottom 2b of the coagulation container 2 (FIG. 3 (c)).

  Therefore, according to the batch-type coagulation apparatus 1C for tofu according to the present embodiment, the air that is sucked into the coagulation container when the soymilk coagulum is discharged in the coagulation container 2 with the lid 8 sealed to some extent. In order to constantly moisten the internal space and the water, the soy milk is stirred by the stirring means 4, but the stirring is stopped, or during the stirring, the turbulence effect is achieved by using the current control means 10. Work to raise. In this way, even during the stirring, the flow restricting means 10 and the stirring device 14 do not come into contact with each other. In addition, as the stirring means 4, the apparatus 1F fixedly arranged by the coagulation container 2 may be sufficient (FIG. 6 (a)).

Here, particularly in the case of producing frying, when obtaining a soymilk coagulated product of fine coagulated particles from the beginning, it may be preferable to have the flow restricting means (for example, baffle plate) 10 from the beginning. With the flow restricting means (baffle plate) 10, the soy milk can be made into a turbulent state, and the solidified particles become uniform and fine. When it is not necessary to obtain fine solidified particles, the flow control means (baffle plate) 10 is used only at the end to quickly stop the flow, and to grow the agglomerates in a state of static or natural convection. Large solidified particles may be obtained.
And with the stirring by the stirring means 4, the flow restricting plate 10 can cause the flow of the flowing soymilk or soymilk coagulum to be static, to change the flow, or to generate a turbulent flow causing turbulence, For example, although both may be driven, it is possible to perform control such that the stirring by the stirring means 4 is performed first, and the flow control plate 10 is driven just before the stirring is completed.
For washing, the soymilk coagulum discharge means 7 is branched or a drainage means is provided separately so that the stirring means 4 and the flow restricting means 10 can be washed with hot water during production. It is efficient to program an intermediate cleaning that sequentially cleans one by one.

(Fourth embodiment)
As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the present embodiment is a device 1D having a structure in which the stirring device 4 and the flow restricting plate 12 move up and down. These vertical movements are performed by driving means (air cylinder) 4s attached to the base 3.
Therefore, in this embodiment, in the space above the liquid level of the soymilk in the coagulation container 2 and not exceeding the lid 8 (filled with water vapor), the wetted part of the stirring device 4 and the flow control plate 10s. By moving 4a and 12a, soymilk or soymilk coagulated product can be prevented from adhering and growing, and when the coagulation container 2 is washed, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the liquid contact parts 4a and 12a get in the way.
Here, as the said baffle plate 12, like the apparatus 1E shown to Fig.5 (a) (b) (c), the liquid-contact part of the said baffle plate 12 is provided from the liquid level of soymilk via a rotating shaft. It is also possible to use a structure in which the movement is high. As a result, the soymilk coagulated product can be prevented from adhering and growing, and when the coagulation vessel 2 is washed, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the liquid contact part 12a of the flow restricting means 12 becomes an obstacle.
Then, along with the stirring by the stirring means 4, the flow restricting plate 12 can cause the flow of the flowing soy milk or soy milk coagulum to stop, change the flow, or cause turbulence. it can. For example, at first, the baffle plate 12 can be raised on the liquid surface, stirred only by the agitation means 4, and the baffle plate 12 can be lowered just before the agitation is finished to perform the above-mentioned flow control. .

(How to operate multiple coagulation vessels)
A plurality of batch-type coagulation apparatuses 1A to 1H for tofu are fixedly arranged on the base 3 of the present embodiment and controlled by the control mechanism Ts, but they may be operated synchronously and alternately in order. It may be performed at different times. With respect to the cleaning process, it is possible to set whether to execute every batch or alternately every several batches. In addition, even during production, it is up to the program to use simple CIP cleaning with sprinkling of hot water etc. automatically or manually while using agitation means and flow control means. The growth of coagulum can be suppressed.
The coagulation vessel 2 uses the stirring means 4 and 14 and the flow restricting means 10 in the internal space formed with the lid 8, and further provides a forced watering mechanism (cleaning means) to effectively perform CIP cleaning (stationary cleaning) and SIP (stationary sterilization) may be performed by utilizing steam supply means (soy milk supply means).
As the kind of tofu that is preferably produced in the present embodiment, fried chicken is mentioned. Deep-fried soymilk has a solid content concentration of about 2-7% wt, and is solidified in a rag-like form. It is preferable to separate dough (whey) to form dough, and other tofu can be coagulated with a thin soymilk, A solidified state in which it is in the form of a rag (a state in which a solid coagulate is separated) is preferable, and is discharged from the coagulation container 2 by the soymilk coagulum discharge means 7. The soymilk solids concentration can be solidified in a fluid form even at a high concentration of 10 to 20% wt, but the soymilk solids concentration is 15% wt or less as much as possible. A pudding-like or silky tofu-like coagulant is preferred because it tends to be a crushed coagulum. If it is manufactured from these coagulated products, it is applicable not only to fried but also tofu production.

  In addition, as the soymilk supply pipe 5 and the coagulant supply pipe 6 of the present embodiment, the soymilk supply pipe 5 and the coagulant supply pipe 6 may be connected to each other and supplied to the coagulation container 2. The coagulation vessel 2 may be a heat-retaining structure such as a lower hemispherical upper cylindrical shape, a cylindrical shape (size cylinder type), a spherical shape, a hemispherical shape, a square shape, or a double structure of each, and is arranged on the base 3 Any solidification container 2 that can be covered and can be used. In the rectangular coagulation vessel 2, the coagulation vessel itself has a flow-controlling effect, and the flow-control means 10 is not particularly required.

1A, 1B-1H Batch-type coagulator for tofu,
2 coagulation container,
3 bases,
4,14,15 Stirring means (also used as current control means and used as breaking means),
4a, 14a, 15a blades (wetted parts),
4b, 15b rotating shaft, 4c, 15 wetted part, 4s drive means (cylinder) for stirring means,
5 Soymilk supply pipe (soymilk supply means, steam supply means),
6 Coagulant supply pipe (coagulant supply means),
7 Soymilk coagulum discharge tube (soymilk coagulum discharge means), 8 lid,
10 Current control means, 10s Current control means driving means (cylinder),
12 current control plate, 12a wetted part, 12b shaft,
T1 soy milk tank, T2 coagulant tank, Ts control mechanism (control unit),
Tu water heater,
T6 Steam supply means

Claims (14)

For one or more coagulation containers that are fixedly arranged on the base and have an opening at the top, for fried or cotton tofu, the solid content concentration is 2 to 7% wt, the soy milk temperature is 60 to 100 Soy milk supply means for supplying soy milk adjusted to ° C., coagulant supply means, soy milk coagulum discharge means, agitation means, blades of a wetted part of the agitation means, and a batch type coagulation apparatus for tofu In
The agitating type of the agitating means is a general purpose motor such as a motor with a brake, an inverter control motor, a screw agitation type for shaft rotation drive control of a servo control motor or a rotary agitation type, an inverter control motor or a servo control motor A one-two stirring type that moves up and down by linear drive control with a cylinder or air cylinder or electric cylinder, a vertical type that moves the plate vertically or slightly tilting, and a vertical type that moves from the top or a robot that can operate in multiple axes A stirring system that operates in the system,
The stirring means adjusts the rotation speed or speed, time, and position of the blades of the wetted part of the stirring means and the stirring means by numerical control by the control means of the stirring means, so that stirring is performed after or during stirring. And the blade of the wetted part of the agitation means make the flow of soy milk or soy milk coagulate static, change the flow, or generate a turbulent flow. A means, and
The agitation means adjusts the rotational speed or speed, time, and position of the blades of the wetted part of the agitation means and the agitation means numerically by the control means of the agitation means, so that the solidification aging is completed after the completion of the solidification aging. Inside, the stirring means and the blade of the wetted part of the stirring means become a breaking means for breaking and uniforming the soymilk coagulum,
Adding a coagulant to the soymilk weighed in the coagulation container, and reproducing the grip by the stirring means, the flow restricting means and the breaking means; Adjust the numerical value of the rotational speed or speed, time, and position by the control means of the stirring means, coagulate and mature in the coagulation vessel, break well and homogenize to make the soy milk coagulum in a rag shape ,
Thereafter, the tofu is characterized in that it is sent quantitatively continuously from the lower side of each coagulation container to the continuous molding machine in the subsequent process through the soymilk coagulum discharge means and continuously molded into fried dough or hard cotton tofu. Batch coagulation method . Since the inside of the coagulation container is provided with a lid for closing the coagulation container, it is always kept in a humid state where water vapor is filled and steam stays so that the relative humidity is 80% or more, and the minimum air permeability is necessary. The batch type coagulation method for tofu according to claim 1, wherein A belt-type continuous molding machine is connected to a subsequent process of the batch type coagulation apparatus for tofu, and the belt-type continuous molding machine ( A method of continuously supplying the soymilk coagulated product uniformly broken by the stirring means in the coagulation vessel with a positive displacement metering pump into the coagulation vessel, The soy milk coagulated material that has been uniformly broken by the stirring means is once received by the receiving tank, or is directly supplied to the water removing device and the distributing device of the belt type continuous molding machine without the receiving tank. Alternatively, it is dispensed directly on the belt-type continuous molding machine cloth without the receiving tank (that is, the whole amount of the soy milk coagulum is poured into the dispensing machine or the lower cloth). Item 1 or 2 Batch coagulation method for tofu. Each of the one or more coagulation vessels fixedly arranged on the base is controlled by a control mechanism, and is performed synchronously or alternately in time, or the cleaning process is performed for each batch. It is characterized in that it is carried out sequentially at intervals of several batches, or the program is controlled so that simple washing by sprinkling of hot water is performed automatically or manually at regular intervals even during production. The batch type coagulation method for tofu according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The coagulation vessel forms an internal space together with a lid, and utilizes a stirring means and a flow restricting means to provide a forced watering mechanism (cleaning means) to effectively perform CIP cleaning (stationary cleaning), or The batch-type coagulation method for tofu according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein SIP sterilization (stationary sterilization) utilizing steam supply means or soymilk supply means is performed. Each of the coagulation containers having one or more upper openings fixedly arranged on the base is provided with a soymilk supply means, a coagulant supply means, a soymilk coagulum discharge means, and a stirring means. In the batch-type coagulator for tofu that discharges the soymilk coagulum from below to the continuous molding machine of the subsequent process through the soymilk coagulum discharge means,
A vane plate (current-controlling means) that is separately fixed to the base after the stirring by the stirring means or during the stirring. Regardless of whether the flow of soy milk or soy milk coagulum is stopped, or the flow is changed, or at least one of the flow control that causes turbulence is caused by at least the blade of the wetted part of the stirring means. Equipped with a control means for stirring means to break down and homogenize the coagulated and aged soymilk well,
The stirring type of the stirring means is a general purpose motor such as a motor with a brake, an inverter control motor or a servo control motor shaft rotation drive control screw stirring type or a rotary operation type .
The stirrer control unit is capable of setting the number of rotations or the rotation speed and time of the stirrer and / or the blades of the stirrer, in order to reproduce the approach, and the batch for tofu is characterized in that Type coagulator. Each of the coagulation containers having one or more upper openings fixedly arranged on the base is provided with a soymilk supply means, a coagulant supply means, a soymilk coagulum discharge means, and a stirring means. in batch coagulation apparatus for tofu for discharging the milk coagulate into a continuous molding machine in a subsequent step via the soy milk coagulation product discharge means from below,
A vane plate (current-controlling means) that is separately fixed to the base after the stirring by the stirring means or during the stirring. Regardless of whether the flow of soy milk or soy milk coagulum is stopped, or the flow is changed, or at least one of the flow control that causes turbulence is caused by at least the blade of the wetted part of the stirring means. Equipped with a control means for stirring means to break down and homogenize the coagulated and aged soymilk well,
The stirring type of the stirring means is a one-two stirring type that reciprocates up and down by linear drive control by an inverter control motor, a servo control motor , an air cylinder or an electric cylinder ,
The control means of the stirring means is capable of setting numerical values of speed, time and position, or time and number of reciprocations of the stirring means and / or the blades of the stirring means in order to reproduce the approach. Batch coagulation equipment for tofu. Each of the coagulation containers having one or more upper openings fixedly arranged on the base is provided with a soymilk supply means, a coagulant supply means, a soymilk coagulum discharge means, and a stirring means. In the batch-type coagulator for tofu that discharges the soymilk coagulum from below to the continuous molding machine of the subsequent process through the soymilk coagulum discharge means,
A vane plate (current-controlling means) that is separately fixed to the base after the stirring by the stirring means or during the stirring. Regardless of whether the flow of soy milk or soy milk coagulum is stopped, or the flow is changed, or at least one of the flow control that causes turbulence is caused by at least the blade of the wetted part of the stirring means. Equipped with a control means for stirring means to break down and homogenize the coagulated and aged soymilk well,
The stirring type of the stirring means is a vertical type that operates in a square orbit when viewed from above while tilting the flat plate vertically or slightly,
The control means of the stirring means is capable of setting numerical values of speed, time and position of the stirring means and / or the blades of the stirring means in order to reproduce the approach, and the batch type coagulation apparatus for tofu . Each of the coagulation containers having one or more upper openings fixedly arranged on the base is provided with a soymilk supply means, a coagulant supply means, a soymilk coagulum discharge means, and a stirring means. In the batch-type coagulator for tofu that discharges the soymilk coagulum from below to the continuous molding machine of the subsequent process through the soymilk coagulum discharge means,
A vane plate (current-controlling means) that is separately fixed to the base after the stirring by the stirring means or during the stirring. Regardless of whether the flow of soy milk or soy milk coagulum is stopped, or the flow is changed, or at least one of the flow control that causes turbulence is caused by at least the blade of the wetted part of the stirring means. Equipped with a control means for stirring means to break down and homogenize the coagulated and aged soymilk well,
The stirring type of the stirring means is a stirring type that operates with a robot control system capable of multi-axis operation,
The control means of the stirring means is capable of setting numerical values for the rotation speed or speed and the time, position, and angle of the stirring means and / or the blades of the stirring means in order to reproduce the approach. Batch type coagulation equipment. 10. The tofu according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the soymilk supply means is a tube for supplying soymilk, and is directly connected to a side surface or a lower side or near the bottom of each coagulation container. Batch coagulation equipment. The soymilk supply means and the coagulant supply means are connected to each other, and the connected soymilk supply means and the coagulant supply means are connected to the coagulation container. The batch type solidification apparatus for tofu according to the item. The batch type coagulation apparatus for tofu according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the shape of the coagulation container is a cylindrical cylinder type or a hemispherical or truncated cone shape at the bottom, or a square type. 10. The solidification container according to any one of claims 6 to 9 , wherein the coagulation vessel has a double structure, a heat insulation structure with a heat insulation material, or the like, or has a form in which heat insulation can be enhanced or temperature can be adjusted by a double jacket. The batch type coagulation apparatus for tofu according to 1. The batch-type coagulation apparatus for tofu is connected to a belt-type continuous molding machine for a subsequent molding process, and has a control means for continuously operating the batch continuously at regular time intervals for each of the coagulation containers. The belt-type continuous molding machine includes a positive displacement metering pump that continuously supplies the coagulated and aged soymilk coagulated product, and the soymilk coagulated product that has become a rag in the coagulation vessel A receiving tank connected through a discharge pipe connected to the bottom of the container, a water receiving device or a dispensing device that receives directly, or a lower cloth that is distributed directly on the cloth. The batch type coagulation apparatus for tofu according to any one of claims 6 to 13.

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