JP6423189B2 - Tofu continuous molding equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention continuously compresses and molds soymilk coagulum, for example, cotton tofu, soft cotton tofu, baked tofu fabric, soft tofu (silk tofu with a texture on the upper and lower surfaces), silk fried dough, thick A series of tofu that continuously forms tofu such as fried dough, raw fried dough, fried oil dough (commercial seasoned sushi fried dough, thin oil fried dough), cancer dough, frozen tofu dough, freeze-dried tofu dough, etc. The present invention relates to a molding apparatus. Also, in the case of a coagulation molding line for both silken tofu and cotton tofu that can produce both silken tofu and cotton tofu, the silken tofu may be transported without forced compression by lifting the upper caterpillar plate at the molding part. Yes, it can also be applied to silken tofu.

  Conventionally, in order to coagulate soymilk to produce tofu, a mold box (a perforated mold box with cotton cloth) is used to squeeze the soymilk coagulum, but as the demand for mass production increases, for example, As described in Patent Document 1, the soymilk containing a coagulant is coagulated and matured while being conveyed on a conveyor without using a mold box, and then the soymilk coagulated product (raw tofu immediately after coagulation) is appropriately broken down and compressed. Therefore, a continuous molding apparatus for continuously molding has been used.

An example of such a conventional tofu continuous molding apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a conventional tofu continuous molding apparatus, and FIG. 10 is a side view showing a compression molding part (exit side).
Referring to FIG. 9, the conventional tofu continuous molding apparatus 1 restricts the base 2 and the base 2 to the lower limit position of a desired height by the elevating unit 4, and the load biasing force. A support body 3 capable of appropriately applying a desired load from above by adjusting the repulsive force of the member 7 is continuously pressed and molded against the soy milk coagulum 20 between the base 2 and the support body 3. The compression molding part 10 which performs is provided. The height of the support 3 with respect to the base 2 (the distance between the upper and lower conveyors) and the load from the high position to the low position from the inlet to the outlet of the continuous molding apparatus (the distance between the upper and lower conveyors becomes gradually narrower) It is set to be a low pressure, a medium pressure, and a high pressure squeezing part.

The detail of the pressing molding part 10 is demonstrated using FIG.
The part shown by 10 in FIG. 10 is a pressing molding part. As shown in the figure, the conventional continuous tofu molding apparatus is provided with an endless upper filter cloth belt 21 that circulates outside and an endless upper transport conveyor 22 that circulates inside, On the side, an endless lower filter cloth belt 23 that circulates outside and an endless lower conveyor 24 that circulates inside is provided.

  The lower conveyor 24 is a caterpillar (registered trademark) conveyor, and is driven by chains 41 provided at both ends perpendicular to the traveling direction. Note that the “end portion” in the present specification and claims does not indicate only the edge portion of the object, but an object (in this case, a caterpillar plate, for example, as in the position of the chain 41 in FIG. 12). 45) including a part slightly separated from the edge. A caterpillar plate 45 made of a flat bar (2 to 4 mm) is attached to the chain 41 via a connecting member 43 as shown in FIGS.

  The upper conveyor 22 is also a caterpillar type conveyor like the lower side, and is driven by a chain 40. A caterpillar plate 44 made of a flat bar (2 to 9 mm) is attached to the chain 40 via a connecting member 42. It has been. In addition, a thick flat bar may be employ | adopted for the purpose of utilizing the dead weight for an upper conveyance conveyor for pressurization.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a soymilk coagulated product 20 that has been coagulated and aged by adding a coagulant such as bittern produced by an apparatus (not shown) is supplied between the upper and lower filter cloth belts and the conveyor. When passing between the upper and lower filter cloth belts and the conveyor, the soymilk coagulum 20 is pressed by the upper and lower conveyors to squeeze the soymilk coagulum 20 to continuously produce the tofu 25 To do.

  Therefore, the conventional continuous tofu molding apparatus has a structure that can sufficiently pressurize the soymilk coagulum 20 as shown in FIGS. That is, at least four or more support rails 34 for supporting the chain 41 of the lower conveyor 24 and the support rails 32 for supporting the caterpillar plate 45 of the lower conveyor 24 are installed on the base 2, and these supports are supported. A sufficient pressure is applied from below to the soy milk coagulum 20 from the caterpillar plate 45 without the caterpillar plate 45 of the lower conveyor 24 being bent by the rail. In other words, in addition to the own weight of the caterpillar plate 45, these support rails are caused by the own weight of the soymilk coagulum 20, the own weight of the upper caterpillar plate 44, the support body 3, the chain 41, and the like, and the load biasing member 7. It receives pressure from above and supports it to withstand all of these pressures.

  The upper conveyor 22 is also supported by the support rail 33 that pressurizes and supports (presses) the chain 40 from above and the support rail 31 that supports and presses (presses) the caterpillar plate 44 of the upper conveyor 22 from above. These support rails are installed on the body 3 so that the caterpillar plate 44 of the upper conveyor 22 is not bent and sufficient pressure is applied from above to the soy milk coagulum 20 from the caterpillar plate 44. Yes. Reference numerals 50 and 51 in FIG. 9 denote return side portions of the upper and lower transport conveyors 22 and 24, and reference numerals 35 and 36 denote support rails provided at the return portions. The description of the return side portions of the upper and lower filter cloth belts 21 and 23 is omitted. Reference numeral 53 denotes an inclined portion for deriving moisture (also referred to as “whey”, “smile” or “yu”) extracted by squeezing the soymilk coagulum 20, and 54 is an inclined portion. A whey collecting unit for discarding or reusing water from 53.

  9 and 11, the upper and lower filter cloth belts, the transport conveyor, the soy milk coagulum, and the like are shown spaced apart from each other in order to make each element easier to see. As such, they are in close contact with each other.

JP 2005-261369 A

  In general, the tofu continuous molding apparatus needs to be washed frequently for hygienic reasons. However, in the tofu continuous molding apparatus having the above-described structure, the lower conveyor 24 in particular is used. Since the wrinkles of the backside and the support rails 32 and 34 and the lower portion 6 thereof are easily soiled and the environment is easy to propagate various bacteria by long-time operation at moderate temperature and high humidity, it is necessary to clean frequently. . For this reason, it is desired to improve the cleaning workability of the apparatus as much as possible. Moreover, since the water | moisture content tends to adhere also to the upper (back) of a caterpillar plate and its support rail also in the upper conveyance conveyor 22, it is calculated | required to make washing | cleaning workability favorable similarly.

  Therefore, the applicant re-examined the cleaning workability in the conventional tofu continuous molding apparatus, and it took time and effort to clean the portion of the back surface of the lower conveyor 24 that was in contact with the support rail 32. It was found that the area around the area was particularly unsanitary, and the cause of the drastic deterioration of the cleaning workability at the tofu production site was discovered. This will be described below.

When a tofu continuous molding device is installed alone, an operator stands at the end in the front-rear direction (the front and back direction of the paper surface of FIG. 9) and sprays cleaning water and uses the necessary cleaning tools. If cleaning is performed, cleaning can be performed relatively smoothly. In addition, cleaning of members that are driven around such as a conveyor belt and a filter cloth belt can be easily cleaned by an automatic cleaning device provided on the circuit.
However, at the actual tofu production site, the front and the next stage devices are installed close to each other in the front-rear direction of the continuous tofu molding apparatus. In order to clean the back surface of the conveyor 24 and its lower portion 6, it is necessary to perform cleaning from an oblique front-rear direction of the apparatus. In addition, stationary cleaning (CIP) may be performed for fixed members, but due to the complicated structure, sufficient cleaning is difficult and sanitary is insufficient, and a lot of water nozzles for cleaning water are required. It is the result that pushes up.

Thus, when performing cleaning and CIP cleaning from an oblique front-rear direction of the apparatus, the presence of spaces between the plurality of support rails 32 that support the caterpillar plate 45 of the lower conveyor 24 is a major cause of poor workability. It turned out to be.
That is, when the device is viewed obliquely from the front or rear for cleaning, the space between the support rails 32 becomes a blind spot when viewed from either the left or right side of the device, and the space between the support rails 32 includes It was also difficult to insert a cleaning tool from diagonally forward or backward, and these points were found to be a major cause of poor cleaning workability and difficulty in complete cleaning.

  Insufficient cleaning can cause serious problems in the quality of tofu, so it is essential to clean the equipment thoroughly in the production of tofu. As a result, the production rate became a hindrance to mass production, and this led to an increase in cost.

  In addition, conventionally, even if it is some secondary-contaminated tofu, boil sterilization after packaging (low-temperature heat sterilization by passing it through a hot water bath at 70 to 95 ° C. or a steaming chamber in which water vapor spills for 10 to 60 minutes) In addition, the quality of food hygiene management methods (HACCP) and food safety management (ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, etc.) has recently been reduced by tofu manufacturers. Due to the rapid spread of assurance enhancement, food machinery manufacturers are required to improve risk management and hygiene in intermediate processes.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems that conventional continuous tofu molding apparatuses have, and reduces the contact portion between the support rail 32 and the lower caterpillar plate 45 and the apparatus. Eliminating blind spots when viewed from diagonally forward or backward, making it easier to insert cleaning tools, and improving the workability of cleaning by making CIP cleaning more effective and allowing visual confirmation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a continuous molding apparatus for tofu.

  The present invention also provides a tofu continuous molding apparatus that requires less cleaning time, is easy to manage hygiene, can improve the operating rate of the apparatus, and can reduce costs. This is a problem.

The above-described problem according to the present invention is solved by the following configuration.
(1) An endless filter cloth belt that circulates outside and a pair of endless conveyors that circulate inside are provided one above the other, and soy milk coagulum is squeezed by the upper and lower filter cloth belts and the conveyor. In the continuous molding equipment for tofu,
The transport conveyor is a caterpillar type conveyor in which a caterpillar plate is driven by chains provided at both ends,
Each said chain is supported by support rails,
The caterpillar plate constituting at least the lower conveyor is supported only by the chain ,
The caterpillar plate constituting the transport conveyor has a maximum deflection amount of 3.0% or less of the thickness of tofu, or a deflection amount of the central portion of the caterpillar plate of 1.0 mm or less. it consists of a continuous molding device of tofu, characterized in.

(2) An endless filter cloth belt that circulates outside and a pair of endless conveyors that circulate inside are provided one above the other, and soy milk coagulum is squeezed by the upper and lower filter cloth belts and the conveyor In the continuous molding equipment for tofu,
The transport conveyor is a caterpillar type conveyor in which a caterpillar plate is driven by chains provided at both ends,
Each said chain is supported by support rails,
The caterpillar plate constituting at least the lower conveyor is supported by the chain and one support rail ,
The caterpillar plate constituting the transport conveyor has a maximum deflection amount of 3.0% or less of the thickness of tofu, or a deflection amount of the central portion of the caterpillar plate of 1.0 mm or less. it consists of a continuous molding device of tofu, characterized in.

(3) The tofus continuous molding apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the caterpillar plate constituting the transport conveyor is made of metal mold steel or square bar .
(4) The above-mentioned (1) to (3), characterized by comprising a frame member made of metal fixed to a plurality of the caterpillar plates constituting the transport conveyor, wherein the frame member is fixed to the chain. A continuous molding apparatus for tofu according to any one of the above.
(5) The said caterpillar plate which comprises the said lower conveyance conveyor is provided with the side wall part hung down at the both ends of a longitudinal direction, The said any one of (1)-(4) characterized by the above-mentioned. Continuous tofu molding equipment.
(6) The caterpillar plate constituting the upper transport conveyor is pressure-supported from above only by the chain, and the tofu according to any one of (1) to (5), Continuous molding equipment.
(7) In any one of the above (1) to (5), the caterpillar plate constituting the upper transfer conveyor is pressure-supported from above by the chain and one support rail. The continuous tofu molding apparatus as described.

(8) The support rail that supports the chain of the lower transport conveyor is fixed to the base from the side to the inside of the base, or the substantially traveling direction of the base And / or is supported by a beam fixed to the base or the one-side base arm, and / or
The support rail that supports the chain of the upper conveyor is supported by a one-side arm that can move up and down near the side of the base, or an arm of a lifting device fixed to the beam. The continuous molding apparatus for tofu according to any one of (1) to (7).
(9) The tunnel-shaped cover is provided so as to surround a space including at least the conveyance conveyor and the support rail of the continuous tofu molding apparatus, wherein any one of the above (1) to (8) is provided. Continuous tofu molding equipment.

According to the continuous molding apparatus for tofu having the above configuration (1), there is only a support rail for supporting the chain at both ends of the lower conveyor, and there is no support rail for supporting the caterpillar plate. There is no portion where the caterpillar plate and the support rail are in contact with each other, and there is no space between the support rails supporting the caterpillar plate, so that the cleaning workability can be greatly improved.
Moreover, according to the continuous tofu molding apparatus (1), the operating rate of the apparatus is improved by reducing the cleaning time, and the cost can be reduced.
In addition, in this invention, although the said support rail mainly means the support rail in the feed process of the conveyance conveyor which conveys the tofu of the said continuous molding apparatus, the support rail in the return process of a conveyance conveyor is also included.
Moreover, according to the continuous molding apparatus of tofu of said (1), the said caterpillar plate which comprises the said conveyance conveyor is 3.0% or less of the thickness of tofu, or the maximum deflection amount at the time of pressing, or Since the center portion of the caterpillar plate is made of a member having a deflection amount of 1.0 mm or less, it is possible to ensure the accuracy of product dimensions and weight and the stability of quality.

Moreover, according to the continuous tofu molding apparatus having the configuration (2), there is only one support rail for supporting the caterpillar plate in addition to the support rail for supporting the chain on the lower conveyor. Therefore, there is no space between the support rails that support the caterpillar plate, and at least it is not a configuration that cannot be visually confirmed, and the cleaning workability can be greatly improved. If there are two or more support rails, it is difficult to visually check and the cleaning workability and the cleaning effect are reduced. In addition, since whey that oozes from tofu is often found in the low-pressure squeezing part of the continuous molding device, at least a medium-high pressure squeezing part is equipped with a support rail at the center so that it can support the caterpillar plate, as described below. If the rigidity required for the caterpillar plate is reduced, the total weight is reduced, and the economics, cleanability, and hygiene aspects are combined, this is one of the preferred forms for practical use.
Moreover, according to the continuous tofu molding apparatus (2), the operating rate of the apparatus can be improved by reducing the cleaning time, and the cost can be reduced.
Moreover, according to the continuous tofu molding apparatus of (2) above, the caterpillar plate constituting the transport conveyor has a maximum deflection amount of 3.0% or less of the thickness of the tofu, Since the center portion of the caterpillar plate is made of a member having a deflection amount of 1.0 mm or less, it is possible to ensure the accuracy of product dimensions and weight and the stability of quality.

Moreover, according to the continuous molding apparatus of the tofu of the structure of said (3), as the caterpillar plate which comprises the upper and / or lower conveyance conveyor, what consists of metal mold steel or a square material is employ | adopted. Since the caterpillar plate is made of a highly rigid member having a very small deflection, a support rail for supporting the caterpillar plate can be omitted. In addition, there is less deflection when only one rail is present than when there is no support rail for supporting the caterpillar plate, and a lightweight caterpillar plate can be realized. Metal mold steel is a steel pipe such as a polygonal or circular square pipe having a triangular or square cross section, C-shaped steel (grooved steel), H-shaped steel, I-shaped steel, L-shaped steel (mountain steel), T-shaped steel. Z-shaped steel and the like. A square pipe-shaped member includes not only a steel pipe with a square cross-section but also a shape steel material such as C-shaped steel or flat steel that has a cross-sectional shape similar to that of a square pipe, and only increases the thickness of the square pipe. In addition, a hardened metal mold steel is also included, and in particular, a form appropriately provided with a reinforcing material for reducing the longitudinal deflection is also included. The surface in contact with the filter cloth belt may be a curved surface, but is preferably a substantially flat surface, and is particularly limited in the present invention (1) and (2) as long as it is a high-rigidity member having at least the substantially flat surface, preferably a metal mold steel. do not do.

  In addition, according to the tofu continuous molding apparatus having the above configuration (4), the frame member is provided with a frame member made of metal that is fixed to a plurality of caterpillar plates constituting the upper and / or lower conveyor. However, the rigidity required for the caterpillar plate can be reduced and the weight and cost can be reduced as a whole. In addition, by simply adding a frame member to the low-rigidity caterpillar plate (flat steel) used in conventional continuous tofu molding equipment, it is possible to realize equipment with excellent cleaning workability. Is relatively easy and can be utilized without waste. The material of the frame member is the same as described above, such as thin type steel materials, steel pipe materials such as square and round shapes, C-type steel materials, H-type steel materials and various hardened steel materials such as quenching thereof. Not limited. The capilla plate and the frame member are appropriately fixed by welding, screwing, or the like. However, in consideration of cleanability, the frame member is also a square steel or a round steel, and a fixing method by all-around welding is one of the preferred forms. .

  According to the tofu continuous molding apparatus having the above configuration (5), the lower filter cloth is provided with a side wall portion on which a caterpillar plate that constitutes the lower conveyor is provided, and has a concave section. The belt is folded at both ends of the belt at the feeding part and is formed along the concave shape of the caterpillar plate so that a large load is applied in the left-right direction, such as when tofu is thick. Even so, tofu can be molded neatly. Separately, a conveyor for the side walls and a filter cloth belt are not required, and the apparatus cost can be reduced.

  Further, according to the continuous tofu molding apparatus having the above configurations (6) and (7), the caterpillar plate constituting the upper transport conveyor is supported only by the chain or by the chain and one support rail. Therefore, the space above the upper caterpillar plate can be efficiently cleaned.

  Further, according to the continuous tofu molding apparatus having the configuration (8), there is a member (a so-called “distance pipe” such as a square pipe) that is crossed in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction on the back side of the conveyor. Therefore, there are almost no obstacles in the space around the top and bottom of the conveyor, the number of whey attached and the number of contaminated members is reduced, the burden of cleaning work is reduced, and the blind spot when spraying the cleaning liquid with a spray ball etc. There is no (unevenness), the number of places where the spray nozzle is attached can be reduced, and the automatic cleaning effect and cost reduction effect can be enhanced. Further, by appropriately covering a predetermined range with a tunnel-shaped cover, more powerful spray cleaning can be performed, and an effective cleaning effect can be obtained.

  Moreover, according to the continuous tofu molding apparatus having the above-described configuration (9), the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid supply unit can be provided by providing a tunnel-shaped cover so as to surround a space including at least the transport conveyor and the support rail. The power can be increased and the cleaning effect can be enhanced.

  The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, in order to clarify the details of the present invention, modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) will be described below with reference to the drawings.

It is sectional drawing which shows the continuous molding apparatus of the tofu based on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the pressing molding part in the exit side of the continuous molding apparatus of the tofu which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing and the top view which show the conveyance conveyor in the continuous molding apparatus of the tofu which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged side view which shows the conveyance conveyor in the continuous molding apparatus of the tofu which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the pressing molding part in the continuous molding apparatus of the tofu based on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the pressing molding part in the continuous molding apparatus of the tofu based on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the pressing molding part in the continuous molding apparatus of the tofu based on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is the upper side figure and bottom view which show the conveyance conveyor of another structure in the continuous molding apparatus of the tofu which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the conventional continuous molding apparatus of tofu. It is a side view which shows the pressing molding part in the exit side of the conventional continuous molding apparatus of tofu. It is an enlarged side view which shows the conveyance conveyor in the conventional continuous molding apparatus of tofu. It is sectional drawing and the top view which show the conveyance conveyor in the conventional continuous molding apparatus of tofu. It is sectional drawing which shows the continuous molding apparatus of the tofu based on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the continuous molding apparatus of the tofu which concerns on another form of the 5th Embodiment of this invention.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a tofu continuous molding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as “first embodiment”, and the same applies to other embodiments). FIG. 2 is a side view showing a compression molding part (exit side) in the first embodiment. Moreover, FIG. 3 is sectional drawing and the top view which show the conveyance conveyor in 1st Embodiment, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view which shows the said conveyance conveyor.
In these drawings, the same parts as those in the prior art are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  With reference to FIG. 1, the continuous tofu molding apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment is limited to a lower limit position of a desired height by a lifting unit 4 with respect to the base 2 and the base 2. And a support 3 that can appropriately apply a desired load from above by adjusting the repulsive force of the load urging member 7, and continuously with respect to the soy milk coagulum 20 between the base 2 and the support 3. An squeeze molding unit 110 that performs squeezing and molding is provided. The height of the support 3 with respect to the base 2 (the distance between the upper and lower conveyors) and the load from the high position to the low position from the inlet to the outlet of the continuous molding apparatus (the distance between the upper and lower conveyors becomes gradually narrower) It is set to be a low pressure, a medium pressure, and a high pressure squeezing part. This basic configuration is the same as the conventional one.

The soymilk coagulum 20 is continuously supplied between the base 2 and the support 3, and a crushing and leveling device (not shown) is provided according to the product type to properly crush the tofu into blocks. An squeeze molding unit 110 that continuously squeezes and molds is provided. Details thereof will be described with reference to FIG.
The part shown by 110 in FIG. 2 is a compression molding part. As shown in the figure, the present embodiment includes an endless upper filter cloth belt 21 that circulates outward on the upper side and an endless upper transport conveyor 122 that circulates on the inner side, and circulates outward on the lower side. An endless lower filter cloth belt 23 and an endless lower transfer conveyor 124 that circulates inside are provided.

  In FIG. 1, 50 and 51 are return side portions of the upper and lower transport conveyors 122 and 124, and 35 and 36 are support rails provided at the return portions. The description of the return side portions of the upper and lower filter cloth belts 21 and 23 is omitted. Reference numeral 53 denotes an inclined portion for deriving moisture (whey) extracted by squeezing the soy milk coagulum 20 to the outside, and reference numeral 54 denotes a whey collection for discarding or reusing moisture from the inclined portion 53. Part. These structures are the same as the conventional one. Here, the inclined portion 53 is in the lower portion 6 on the back surface of the lower conveyor, but may be provided below the return portion 51 of the conveyor below.

  In FIG. 1 and the drawings showing the embodiments described later, in order to make each element easy to see, the upper and lower filter cloth belts, the transport conveyor, the soy milk coagulum, etc. are shown spaced apart from each other. As shown in FIG. 2, they are in close contact with each other.

  The lower conveyance conveyor 124 is a caterpillar type conveyor, and is driven by chains 41 provided at both ends in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction. A caterpillar plate 145 is attached to the chain 41 via a connecting member 43 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, but the caterpillar plate 145 and a method for supporting the caterpillar plate 145 are greatly different from the conventional one. This will be described in detail below.

  Conventionally, in order to reduce the cost of the transport conveyor and its drive system, it has been considered that the transport conveyor should be designed to be as light as possible. Therefore, as shown by reference numeral 45 in FIGS. It was formed with a thin flat bar (thin flat steel) having a width of 15 to 100 mm and a length of 500 to 2000 mm and a thickness of about 2 to 9 mm.

  Generally, since the continuous molding apparatus of tofu is for mass-producing tofu, the width of the caterpillar plate is usually set to 1 to 1.5 m or more. Then, when tofu is squeezed using a thin caterpillar plate, the central part of the caterpillar plate is bent downward with respect to the end part of the caterpillar plate supported by the chain. Therefore, in order to prevent such bending, a large number (six in the example of FIG. 9) are provided between the support rails 34 that support the chain 41 of the lower conveyor 24, as shown in FIG. The support rail 32 is provided, and the support rail 32 is configured to support the flat bar constituting the caterpillar plate 45, thereby preventing the caterpillar plate 45 from bending.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as described above, it takes time to clean the portion of the caterpillar plate 45 that contacts the support rail 32, and the presence of a plurality of support rails 32 enables support from an oblique front-rear direction. In order to solve the problem that the cleaning between the rails 32 is difficult to perform, the lower transfer conveyor 124 is allowed to be somewhat heavy, and dare to use stainless steel (SUS316, SUS304 as shown in FIGS. , SUS430 and the like, and a square pipe-like thick member made of a highly rigid metal is used as the caterpillar plate 145.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the lower transfer conveyor 124 has a structure in which the chain 41 is supported by the support rail 34 and the caterpillar plate 145 is supported only by the chain 41. There is no support rail for supporting the caterpillar plate 145.

  Since the caterpillar plate 145 is a square pipe-like thick member made of a high-rigidity metal as described above, even if it is only supported by the chain 41 at both ends, Never bend. Moreover, by making it into a square pipe shape, sufficient rigidity can be obtained with a much smaller weight compared with the case where it comprises with a single plate. In order to ensure waterproofness, it is preferable to take measures such as sealing both ends of a square pipe-like thick member with a flat bar and welding all around.

Here, how much rigidity is actually given to the caterpillar plate 145 depends on the width of the apparatus and the kind of tofu to be manufactured, but in order to ensure the accuracy of the dimensions and weight of the product and the stability of the quality. The maximum amount of deflection at the time of pressing is 3.0% or less, preferably 1.5% or less, most preferably 0.3% or less of the thickness of the tofu, or the deflection at the center of the caterpillar plate is 1 Since it is necessary to make it 0.0 mm or less, preferably 0.5 mm or less, and most preferably 0.1 mm or less, the caterpillar plate 145 is designed so as to have a rigidity satisfying it. For example, when the sheet-like tofu has a height of 5 cm and a width of 140 cm, and the maximum pressing pressure applied to the tofu is 0.015 N / mm ² (0.15 kgf / cm ² ), the width is 5 cm (traveling direction) ), When manufacturing a caterpillar plate below 160 cm in length (direction perpendicular to the traveling direction), a stainless steel square pipe (SUS304) having a height of 5 cm, preferably 6.5 cm, and most preferably 12 cm. , Wall thickness 6 mm), and length × width × height (thickness) along the traveling direction is 5 cm × 160 cm × 5 cm, preferably 5 cm × 160 cm × 6.5 cm, most preferably 5 cm × 160 cm. A stainless steel square steel pipe caterpillar plate having a size of 12 cm can be used.

  When a square material made of stainless steel (SUS304) having a width of 5 cm and a length of 160 cm is used, the height is 4.5 cm, preferably 6 cm, and most preferably 11 cm. In the present invention, although the weight is heavy, a square bar having a high rigidity (including a flat bar having a thickness of 10 mm or more) may be used from the viewpoint of detergency. In addition, steel mold members with high rigidity in the direction of pressure load (thick steel flat steel, stainless steel, titanium, etc., H steel (I steel), L steel (mountain steel), T steel, C steel (groove steel) Further, a caterpillar plate using a steel pipe or the like having at least one substantially flat surface in contact with the filter cloth belt may be used. However, for non-hollow square bars, the weight of the device is about 2 to several times heavier, and the strength of the supporting material and drive system associated therewith must be increased. The deflection due to its own weight also increases, and the cost and weight are the same. Since the rigidity is not so high as compared to a square pipe of a size, a steel pipe having a flat surface such as a square pipe is preferred. In addition, for example, it is a configuration in which a thick flat bar in the vertical direction is combined with a thin flat bar in the horizontal direction, or a flat bar is combined with the vertical surface of the square pipe to form a substantially square pipe with increased rigidity. May be.

For rigidity, the length and height of the caterpillar plate is more effective than the material and wall thickness of the steel pipe and die steel, so the width of the strip-shaped tofu is narrowed, the length of the square pipe is shortened, and the height is designed to be high. Is preferable for increasing rigidity and weight, and improving durability and economy. The maximum press pressure (0.015 N / mm ² ) applied to the tofu is the maximum design pressure. From past surveys, about one-half to one-half of the continuous molding apparatus is practically used. It is the maximum pressure in the high-pressure squeezing part, and the height of the square pipe of the caterpillar plate can be estimated to be somewhat lower accordingly. Therefore, in the case described above, a caterpillar plate made of a stainless steel square steel pipe having a size of 5 cm × 160 cm × 5 cm and a thickness of 6 mm is practical and preferable. The thickness (height) of tofu to be molded is generally 3 to 10 mm for fried dough and 25 to 45 mm for cotton tofu.

  In the present embodiment, only the support rail 34 that supports the chain 41 exists in the lower portion 6 of the back surface of the lower transfer conveyor 124, and there is no other support rail. In addition, since there is no portion where the caterpillar plate and the support rail are in contact with each other and there is no portion that becomes a blind spot between the support rails, it is possible to dramatically improve the workability of cleaning. Also, in this embodiment, the lower conveyor 124 is thicker than the conventional one, but only two support rails are required. If square pipes or the like are used, the overall weight of the apparatus increases somewhat. However, it can be said that the advantage in terms of cleaning is more beneficial.

  The material and shape of the support rail 34 and the support rail 32 to be described later are not particularly limited. However, since the support load is concentrated on these rails, the support rail 34 is more robust, slidable, and wear-resistant than before. It is preferable to do. For example, since the support rail 34 uses a roller chain as the chain 41 and receives rolling friction due to the roller, and the support rail 32 receives sliding friction due to the caterpillar plate, for example, the cross section made of stainless steel has a substantially H shape or L shape. Or, it is a die steel member such as flat steel, and the upper surface that slides on the back surface of the caterpillar plate is a resin having good slidability and lubricity (ultra high density polyethylene UHMW, polypropylene, fluororesin or resin containing fluororesin, Duracon ( (Registered trademark), oil-impregnated resin, etc.) can be used. Also, the back surface (or the entire surface) of the caterpillar plate is polished (buffing, electrolytic polishing, etc.) to improve slidability and smoothness, surface smoothing treatment such as hard chromium, chromium nitride, titanium nitride, ceramic, fluorine A surface treatment or pasting of resin or various resins may be performed.

In the present embodiment, the upper conveyor 122 is also a caterpillar plate 144 that is a rectangular pipe made of high-rigidity metal, like the lower conveyor 124. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper conveyor 122 is pressure-supported (pressed) only by the support rail 33 that supports the chain 40, and the caterpillar plate 144 is pressure-supported (pressed) only by the chain 40. There is no support rail for supporting the caterpillar plate 144 between the support rails 33.
Thereby, the cleaning workability of the space on the back side of the upper conveyor can be greatly improved.

In this embodiment, in order to increase the rigidity of the caterpillar plate 145, a square pipe-shaped thick member made of a highly rigid metal as shown in FIG. 3 is used. The maximum deflection amount during pressing is not more than 3% of the thickness of tofu, preferably not more than 1.5%, most preferably not more than 0.3%, or the center of the caterpillar plate As long as high rigidity can be ensured such that the deflection of the portion is 1.0 mm or less, preferably 0.5 mm or less, and most preferably 0.1 mm or less, any may be used. One example is shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, a thin flat bar is used as the caterpillar plate 175 as in the prior art, and a frame member 176 made of a high-rigidity metal is fixed to the back side of the flat bar to increase the rigidity. The frame member 176 is fixed to the chain 41 via two connection portions 177 on one side.
By remodeling to such a configuration, a highly rigid caterpillar plate can be realized while utilizing the parts used in the conventional apparatus.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In this embodiment, instead of the compression molding unit 110 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a compression molding unit 210 as shown in FIG. 5 is adopted.

  In the first embodiment, the lower transport conveyor 124 has a structure in which the chain 41 is supported by the support rail 34 and the caterpillar plate 145 is supported only by the chain 41. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the lower transfer conveyor 124 is the same as the first embodiment in that the chain 41 is supported by the support rail 34 and the caterpillar plate 145 is supported by the chain 41. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it further includes one support rail 32 that supports the caterpillar plate 145.

  The material and shape of the support rail 32 are not particularly limited. For example, a resin made of stainless steel having a cross section made of stainless steel having a substantially H shape, a substantially L shape, or a flat steel bar having a slidable surface. The one covered with can be used.

  In the present embodiment, the rigidity required for the caterpillar plate 145 can be reduced to a fraction of a few tenths compared to the first embodiment. For example, in the case of a caterpillar plate made of a stainless steel square steel pipe having a size of 5 cm × 160 cm × 5 cm and a thickness of 6 mm, the amount of deflection is greatly reduced to about 1/29 (about 3.5%). Accordingly, the weight of the lower transfer conveyor 124 can be significantly reduced by changing the thickness or the height. For example, in order to produce a sheet-like cotton tofu fabric having a thickness of 5 cm and a width of 150 cm, in a continuous molding apparatus having a caterpillar plate 145 having a width of 160 cm, the support rail 32 that supports the substantially central portion of the caterpillar plate 145 in the width direction. , The length corresponding to the traveling direction × the width perpendicular to the traveling direction × the height corresponding to the thickness of the caterpillar plate is 5 cm × 160 cm × 2 cm, preferably 5 cm × 160 cm × 2. A 3 mm thick SUS304 stainless steel square pipe measuring 5 cm, most preferably 5 cm × 160 cm × 5 cm can be used. Compared to the first embodiment, the height is low, a thin square pipe can be selected, and the weight is also halved.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since one support rail 32 exists between the two support rails 34 that support the chain 41, the cleaning workability is slightly inferior to that in the first embodiment. However, since there is no space between the plurality of support rails 32, which is a major obstacle during cleaning, the cleaning workability is significantly superior compared to conventional devices.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In this embodiment, instead of the compression molding unit 110 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a compression molding unit 310 shown in FIG. 6 is adopted.

  In the first embodiment, the caterpillar plate 145 constituting the lower transport conveyor 124 is a square pipe-like thick member made of a highly rigid metal as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the caterpillar plate 155 is a side wall portion 156 formed by bending a square pipe-like thick member made of high-rigidity metal substantially vertically upward at both ends in the longitudinal direction. That is, a side wall portion 156 that is vertically provided is provided.

  By providing such a side wall part 156, it is not necessary to provide a separate conveying device for the side wall. In the third embodiment, even when the thick soymilk coagulum 20 is squeezed with a strong force, the side wall part 156 moves left and right. The pressurization in the direction can be sufficiently supported, and the soymilk coagulated product 20 can be cleanly molded without protruding from the left and right of the caterpillar plate 145.

  In this embodiment, the side wall portion 156 is formed so that the square pipe-shaped thick member constituting the caterpillar plate 155 is bent substantially vertically upward at both ends in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, a pair of left and right side wall portions may be formed by separate members, and the side wall portions may be bonded to both ends of the caterpillar plate 155. Further, the side wall portion may be provided independently of the caterpillar plate 155, and the side wall portion may be driven in synchronization with the upper and lower transport conveyors by a side auxiliary conveyor provided separately from the transport conveyor 24. Since this pair of left and right side auxiliary conveyors does not require high rigidity even in the high-pressure squeezing section, even if the caterpillar plate is a thin flat steel as usual, a top chain type conveyor made of commercially available stainless steel or resin, etc. However, like the said conveyance conveyor, you may be comprised by the highly rigid member (square pipe etc.). In addition, about the support rail of this side auxiliary conveyor, it is preferable to make it the minimum number (1-2) from the surface of a washability.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In this embodiment, instead of the compression molding unit 110 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a compression molding unit 410 shown in FIG. 7 is adopted.

  Although this embodiment has the same basic structure as the third embodiment, the entire compression molding unit 110 is covered with the tunnel-shaped covers 161 and 162, and a cleaning water supply unit 163 is provided. By supplying cleaning water to the space in the tunnel-shaped cover, whey dripping with hot water during squeeze molding of tofu can be rinsed, and the back side of the caterpillar can be automatically fixed and cleaned during cleaning. Cleaning water may be supplied during production. During cleaning, cleaning water (alkaline detergent or acid detergent, or disinfectant solution such as hypochlorous acid water or sodium hypochlorite water) Shimizu). Further, the liquid may be sprayed in a foam shape using air. Since there are only two support rails, there is no blind spot, it can be cleaned and disinfected, the number of spray nozzles is small, spray balls and rotary spray nozzles do not scatter around, and the cleaning water feed pump The number and size of the can be minimal. In addition, by providing the said tunnel-shaped cover, spraying of washing water or washing | cleaning liquid can be performed strongly, and the washing | cleaning effect can be improved further.

Other configurations are the same as those in the third embodiment.
In the present embodiment, there are two support rails, but there may be three support rails as in the second embodiment.
In this embodiment, if washing water (fresh water) is supplied during compression molding, secondary contamination and surface drying of various bacteria on the surface of the soymilk coagulum 20 can be prevented, and soymilk coagulation during compression molding is possible. The object 20 can always be kept hygienic, and a high-quality product can be manufactured.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the present embodiment, instead of the support portion that supports the transport conveyor in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, support portions of different forms that support the transport conveyor as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 are adopted. is there.

  In the present embodiment, instead of the base 2 and the support body 3 traversing in the width direction of the continuous molding machine 100 in the first embodiment, like the compression molding unit 510 of the continuous molding apparatus 500 shown in FIG. The support rail 34 that supports the chain 41 of the transport conveyor 524 on the side is supported by the one-side base arm 505 that is fixed from the side of the base 2 to the inside, and the support rail that supports the chain 40 of the upper transport conveyor 522. 33 is supported by a one-sided arm 503 having an elevating part 504 that can be moved up and down in the vicinity of the side of the base 2, so that the space of the upper part 560 of the upper conveyor and the lower part 6 of the lower conveyor It is possible to reduce the number of members that cross the surface, that is, obstacles during cleaning.

  Further, like the compression molding unit 510 of the continuous molding apparatus 501 shown in FIG. 14, the support rail 34 that supports the chain 41 of the lower conveyor 524 is fixed to the base along the substantially traveling direction of the base 2. The support rail 33 that is supported by the beam 508 and supports the chain 40 of the upper conveyor 522 is supported by the liftable arm 9 of the lifting device (load linear actuator) 8 fixed to the beam 508, Since the beam 508 that cuts vertically is provided to a minimum, a member that traverses the space of the upper portion 560 of the upper transfer conveyor 522 and the lower portion 6 of the lower transfer conveyor 524, that is, an obstacle at the time of cleaning is removed. Can be reduced.

In any case, the upper part of the upper conveyor is supported by the caterpillar plates 545 and 556 of the return part of the upper and lower conveyors, which are similarly supported by the one-side base arms 506 and 507 fixed to the base 2. It is possible to further reduce the number of members that cross the space 560 and the lower portion 6 of the lower conveyor, that is, obstacles during cleaning.
The support form of the support rail as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 may be appropriately mixed depending on the part, and by adopting the highly rigid caterpillar plate, the upper part 560 and the lower part The specific embodiment is not particularly limited as long as the obstacles in the six spaces can be reduced. Further, the beam 508 along the traveling direction of the base 2 is appropriately supported from other beams on the top, bottom, left, right, vertical and horizontal.

  According to the present invention, since the obstacles in the space of the upper part 560 and the lower part 6 are reduced, the obstructions (dead spots) are reduced when the cleaning liquid supply unit 563 is rinsed with chemical water or washed with a chemical solution. It becomes easy to clean and easy to check visually. According to the present invention, it is easy to rinse dirt such as whey and various germs with water during production, and the cleaning liquid is distributed evenly by the cleaning liquid supply unit 563 (fixed nozzle, spray ball, rotating nozzle, etc.) during cleaning. Thus, a sufficient cleaning effect is obtained, and secondary contamination due to various germs is reduced, leading to improvement in the quality of tofu. In the present invention, the weight of the distance pipe is also used for the load as in the prior art. Instead, it can be compensated by the weight of the thick square pipe as described above. Weight can be reduced.

  The support rail that supports the chain of the upper conveyor is supported by a one-side arm that can be moved up and down near the side of the base, or an arm of a lifting device fixed to the beam. Positioning means 509 (a lock nut or the like serving as a stopper) and a load biasing member 7 (a metal spring such as stainless steel or resin-coated iron is preferable) or a lifting device with a positioning function 8 (preferably an air cylinder with a scale or an electric ROBO cylinder, which is preferably made of stainless steel and waterproof), and applies a load downward and urges the tofu to a predetermined height. It is supported loosely so as to be squeezed to the height. In addition, the specific form of the load biasing member, the positioning means, the lifting device, and the lifting device with a positioning function in the present invention is not limited to the above, as long as the same function is achieved. There is no particular limitation.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the present embodiment is a case where a tunnel-like cover is applied in a wider range than the fourth embodiment, and the compression molding portion 510 and the upper caterpillar plate return portion 545 and / or the lower portion. Covering with a tunnel-like cover 552 except for the return portion 556 of the side caterpillar plate except for the return portion of the filter cloth belt, it is preferable to easily adjust and replace the filter cloth belt. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, when the entire upper part including the return portions 55 and 57 of the upper and lower filter cloth belts and their return guide rollers 56 and 58 is covered, the filter cloth belt and its guide rolls are automatically automatic together. This is most preferable because it can be cleaned.

  In these cases, during cleaning, the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid supply unit 163 provided in the space in the tunnel-shaped cover and its rinse water, whey that oozes out during tofu molding during production, It is also possible to collect each of the tunnel-shaped covers 552 at the lower inclined portion 553 and reuse the waste liquid or circulate at the whey collection unit 554. According to the present embodiment, at the time of cleaning, the support rails 33 and 34 for fixing the feed portion, and the support rail 35 for fixing the return portion, together with the chains 40 and 41 of the front and back and end portions of the caterpillar plates 544, 545, 555, and 556. 36, and the one side arm 503 and the one side base arm 505 can be effectively washed by automatic stationary cleaning (CIP). In addition, if the range covered with the tunnel-shaped cover, tunnel-shaped cover material (transparent resin such as stainless steel and PET resin) and structure, and the components in the tunnel-shaped cover satisfy the requirements such as chemical resistance and waterproofing, You can choose as appropriate.

  13 includes the upper filter cloth belt return portion 55, the upper filter cloth belt return guide roller 56, the lower filter cloth belt return portion 57, and the lower filter cloth belt return portion 55. The filter cloth belt return guide roller 58 may also be included, but the workability in the tunnel cover is poor when the filter cloth belt meanders, tension is adjusted, or the filter cloth belt is replaced. It is preferable to make it there because it is easier to work with. Similarly, the parts for adjusting the pressing condition such as the load biasing member 7 and the lifting / lowering unit 504 are better outside the tunnel cover than in the tunnel cover, and the adjustment workability is better. It is preferable because it is low-cost without using expensive chemical parts, and the space in the tunnel-like cover is narrow, so that the cleaning efficiency is good.

  Moreover, it is the same as that of the prior art to provide a cleaning device at an arbitrary place such as a return portion on the circulation track of the transport conveyor and the filter cloth belt. As shown in FIG. 14, the upper cover cloth belt return portion 55, the upper filter cloth belt return guide roller 56, the lower filter cloth belt return portion 57, the lower cover by the tunnel-shaped covers 552 and 553. It is possible to cover almost the entire surface including the return guide roller 58 of the filter cloth belt on the side, and it is necessary to use a slightly expensive part that is waterproof and chemical resistant, but a notch or hole for penetrating the part This is a preferred embodiment because it has few parts and does not easily leak, and can be automatically washed, so that the burden of cleaning work can be greatly reduced and contamination from foreign substances and contamination from surroundings can be prevented.

  In addition to reducing the number of support rails and beams as described above, by providing a tunnel-shaped cover as described above, the power of spraying cleaning water or cleaning liquid is increased, and the liquid is sent by a high-pressure pump. It is possible to perform strong cleaning such as using a chemical solution, and the cleaning effect can be further enhanced.

  Also in the present embodiment, as in the second embodiment, one support rail that supports from the back side in the vicinity of the center portion of the caterpillar plate may be provided, and in particular, at least one support rail that supports the lower caterpillar plate may be provided. The support rail may be disposed so as to be appropriately fixed to the lower or side base 2. For example, the lower inclined portion 553 of the tunnel-shaped cover (the valley shape is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14) is in the lower portion 6 on the back surface of the lower conveyor, and the center is on the upper side and drains to both sides. In the case of the mountain shape, the single support rail is supported using a reinforcing beam at the center. Further, the single support rail can be supported by using the beam 508 fixed to the base along the substantially traveling direction of the base 2 as described above. The form of the one support rail or the beam or arm that supports the one support rail is not particularly limited as long as it does not cause much trouble in cleaning.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail using drawing, these embodiment is only a mere illustration, This invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, It changes suitably. Improvements are possible. In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, and the like of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary and are not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.

  For example, in each of the embodiments described above, stainless steel is used as a mold steel material such as the caterpillar plates 145 and 555. However, similar to stainless steel, a metal such as titanium, which is excellent in corrosion resistance and safety, or iron or aluminum. Further, chemical resistance may be improved by performing a surface treatment for forming a resin coating (such as a fluororesin coating) or an inorganic film (such as electroless nickel plating) on the surface. Moreover, it may be a highly rigid resin member comparable to metal (for example, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), glass fiber, carbon fiber reinforced PEEK, etc.). These can also be expected to improve surface hardening and slidability. Various things, such as what coat | covered the iron surface with resin, can be used. The same applies to the support rail 34 that supports the chain 41 and the support rail 32 that supports the caterpillar plate 145, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various materials and shapes can be used. The load urging member 7 employs an elastic member such as a coiled metal spring, rubber, air spring, or the like, and is provided with an elevating device instead. For example, an air cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, an electric motor It is optional to use a linear actuator such as a cylinder.

  In each embodiment described above, the number of support rails provided for the upper transport conveyor 122 is the same as the number of support rails provided for the lower transport conveyor 124. For example, three support rails (two support rails 34 that support the chain 41 and one support rail 32 that supports the caterpillar plate 145) are provided for the lower transport conveyor 124, and the upper transport conveyor 122. In contrast, two support rails (only two support rails 33 that support the chain 40) may be provided. Moreover, the non-pressure (natural dehydration part) to the low-pressure squeezing part of the continuous molding apparatus are most likely to become dirty and are low-load places, with two support rails, and three to the medium-pressure squeeze part to high-pressure squeeze part where high loads are applied You may make it the form of doing.

  Further, the upper conveyor 122 is less likely to get dirty than the lower conveyor, and the demand for cleaning workability is not so strong. Therefore, two or three support rails are attached to the lower conveyor 124. It is good also as a structure which provides many support rails with respect to an upper conveyance conveyor similarly to the conventional apparatus. In the case where a high load is not applied to the upper conveyor, a flat bar may be used for the caterpillar plate as in the past, and the above-described high rigidity steel material may be used only for the lower conveyor. Moreover, although the rigidity calculated | required changes with conditions, such as the width of a continuous molding apparatus and the kind of tofu to manufacture, you may employ | adopt a flat bar 10 mm or more in flat steel for the caterpillar plate of a lower conveyance conveyor. In the present invention, at least a part of the feed portion of the lower conveyor is added to the support rail by adding two support rails for supporting the chains provided at both ends of the caterpillar plate or one support rail for supporting the caterpillar plate. The form provided with three may be sufficient.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Conventional tofu continuous molding apparatus 2 ... Base 3 ... Support body 4 ... Lifting part 6 ... Lower part 7 of the back surface of a lower conveyor The load biasing member 8 ... Lifting apparatus (linear actuator for load) )
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 ... Arm of lifting apparatus (linear actuator for load) ... Squeeze molding part 20 ... Soy milk coagulum 21 ... Upper filter cloth belt 22 ... Upper conveyor belt 23 ... Lower filter cloth belt 24 ... Lower conveyor conveyor 25 ... Tofu 31 ... Support rail 32 ... Support rail 33 ... Support rail 34 ... Support rail 35 ... Support rail 36 ... Support rail 40 ... Chain 41 ... Chain 42 ... Connection member 43 ... Connection member 44 ... Caterpillar plate 45 ... Caterpillar plate 50: Returning part 51 of the conveyer ... Returning part 53 of the conveyer ... Inclined part 54 ... Whey collecting part 55 ... Return part of the upper filter cloth belt 56 ... Return guide roller 57 of the upper filter cloth belt ... Lower filter The return portion 58 of the cloth belt ... The return guide roller 100 of the lower filter cloth belt ... The continuous formation of tofu according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Apparatus 110 ... Compression molding part 122 in the first embodiment of the present invention ... Upper conveyor 124 ... Lower conveyor 144 ... Catapillar plate 145 ... Catapillar plate 155 ... Catapillar plate 156 ... Side wall 161 ... Tunnel cover 162 ... Tunnel-shaped cover 163 ... Cleaning liquid supply part 175 ... Caterpillar plate 176 ... Frame member 177 ... Connection part 210 ... Squeeze molding part 310 in the second embodiment of the present invention ... Squeeze molding part 410 in the third embodiment of the present invention ... Pressing molding unit 500 in the fourth embodiment of the present invention ... Continuous molding apparatus for tofus 501 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention ... Continuous tofu molding according to another form of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Molding device 503. One side arm 504 that can be raised and lowered ... Elevating part 505 ... One side base a fixed to the base 506... One side base arm 507 fixed to the base 507. One side base arm 508 fixed to the base... Beam 509 fixed to the base along the substantially moving direction of the base. Positioning means 510... Squeezing molding part 522 in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Upper conveyor 524. Lower conveyor 544. Upper caterpillar plate 545... ... Lower inclined part 554 of tunnel-shaped cover ... Whey collecting part 555 ... Lower caterpillar plate 556 ... Return part 560 of lower caterpillar plate ... Upper part 563 on the back surface of the upper conveyor The cleaning liquid supply part

Claims (9)

A tofu that has an endless filter cloth belt that circulates outside and a pair of endless conveyors that circulate inside, and that is formed by pressing the upper and lower filter cloth belts and the conveyor to soy milk coagulum. In continuous molding equipment,
The transport conveyor is a caterpillar type conveyor in which a caterpillar (registered trademark) plate is driven by chains provided at both ends.
Each said chain is supported by support rails,
The caterpillar plate constituting at least the lower conveyor is supported only by the chain ,
The caterpillar plate constituting the transport conveyor has a maximum deflection amount of 3.0% or less of the thickness of tofu, or a deflection amount of the central portion of the caterpillar plate of 1.0 mm or less. it consists of a continuous molding device of tofu, characterized in. A tofu that has an endless filter cloth belt that circulates outside and a pair of endless conveyors that circulate inside, and that is formed by pressing the upper and lower filter cloth belts and the conveyor to soy milk coagulum. In continuous molding equipment,
The transport conveyor is a caterpillar type conveyor in which a caterpillar plate is driven by chains provided at both ends,
Each said chain is supported by support rails,
The caterpillar plate constituting at least the lower conveyor is supported by the chain and one support rail ,
The caterpillar plate constituting the transport conveyor has a maximum deflection amount of 3.0% or less of the thickness of tofu, or a deflection amount of the central portion of the caterpillar plate of 1.0 mm or less. it consists of a continuous molding device of tofu, characterized in. 3. The tofu continuous molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the caterpillar plate constituting the transport conveyor is made of metal mold steel or square bar . The frame member made of metal fixed to a plurality of the caterpillar plates constituting the transport conveyor is provided, and the frame member is fixed to the chain. The continuous tofu molding apparatus as described.   The said caterpillar plate which comprises the said lower conveyance conveyor is provided with the side wall part hung down by the both ends of the longitudinal direction, The tofu continuation of any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned. Molding device.   The tofus continuous molding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the caterpillar plate constituting the upper conveyor is pressure-supported from above only by the chain.   The said caterpillar plate which comprises the said upper conveyance conveyor is pressure-supported from upper direction with the said chain and one support rail, The tofu of any one of Claims 1-5 characterized by the above-mentioned. Continuous molding equipment. The support rail that supports the chain of the lower conveyor is a one-side base arm that is fixed to the base from the side to the inside of the base, or substantially along the traveling direction of the base. Supported by a beam fixed to the base or the one-side base arm, and / or
The support rail that supports the chain of the upper conveyor is supported by a one-side arm that can move up and down near the side of the base, or an arm of a lifting device fixed to the beam. The tofu continuous molding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.   A continuous tofu is provided according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a tunnel-shaped cover is provided so as to surround a space including at least the conveyor and the support rail of the continuous tofu molding apparatus. Molding device.

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