JP6874240B2 - Tofu continuous production equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a tofu continuous production apparatus and a production method.

Conventionally, the total amount of soymilk coagulated product (solid-liquid mixture having a thin solid content concentration) from the coagulant (coagulator) is appropriately stored in the receiving tank, and the water removing device (water collecting) is stored by the head or by the pump (quantitating pump). It is sent to the machine) and an appropriate amount of "yu" (also called whey, stains, or water separation) is removed. The obtained concentrated soymilk coagulated product still containing "yu" is then supplied by a head to the distribution device (distributor) on the inlet side of the molding machine, and the distribution device evenly covers the lower cloth of the molding machine. Tofu can be obtained by being distributed to and pressed and molded by a molding device (molding machine).

FIGS. 1 to 3 are examples showing such a conventional continuous production apparatus for tofu.
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a conventional continuous production apparatus for tofu. FIG. 1 shows a continuous production device 90 for tofu in which the coagulation device C is integrally arranged above the molding device Md so that the coagulation container Cc, the hopper H, the water removal device Wr, and the distribution device D have different heights. is there. With this arrangement configuration, the soymilk coagulated product (thin solid-liquid mixture) t1 coagulated by the coagulating device C is transferred to the molding device Md by the head. That is, in the supply step Su, the soymilk coagulated product t1 discharged from the coagulation container Cc is supplied to the hopper H via the slope sl1 by its own weight, and is supplied from the hopper H to the water removing device Wr by a head, and then " Yu ”(whey) t2 is separated. The separated thick solidified product t3 containing an appropriate amount of "yu" is supplied to the distribution device D via the slope sl2, and thus enters the distribution molding step DM in the subsequent step. The thick coagulated product t3 containing "yu" is distributed by the distributor D on the filter cloth (lower cloth) f3 of the molding device Md via the slope sl4, and then molded by the molding device Md.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing a different form of a conventional continuous production apparatus for tofu. By arranging the coagulation device C above the molding device Md as in FIG. 1, the soymilk coagulant t1 discharged from the coagulation container Cc is sent to the subsequent process via the slope sl3 by its own weight. However, unlike FIG. 1, in the tofu continuous production apparatus 91 of the present embodiment, the soymilk coagulated product t1 is directly supplied to the water removing apparatus without passing through the hopper H. Subsequent steps are the same as in FIG. As described above, the step of receiving the soymilk coagulated product t1 by the hopper H is omitted depending on the form, size, and arrangement of each device, and the soymilk coagulated product t1 may be directly sent to the water removing device.
In the devices shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, since the coagulation device C is placed on the upper part of the molding device Md, the space required for arranging the devices is reduced, and there is an advantage that space can be saved when viewed on a flat surface. It can be said that. However, since it is arranged three-dimensionally, a ceiling height is required. In addition, since the device has two floors, the labor of climbing up and down during work increases. Therefore, it is easy to neglect the adjustment of the water remover required for product adjustment. Further, there is a demerit that it is difficult to clean the device, and when cleaning the device, cleaning droplets are easily scattered from above, which makes it unsanitary.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing another form of the conventional continuous production apparatus for tofu. In the tofu continuous production apparatus 92 of this embodiment, unlike FIGS. 1 and 2, the supply process Su and the distribution process DM are arranged in parallel. That is, the solidifying device C is not arranged on the molding device Md, and the molding device Md and the solidifying device C are arranged in parallel independently of each other. Since it is difficult to transfer the soymilk coagulated product due to the height difference, the pump P is used for transferring the soymilk coagulated product. Since the pump P is used, the coagulation device C and the molding device Md do not necessarily have to be juxtaposed, but since they are generally arranged on the floor, they are parallel (substantially horizontal). In FIG. 3, the soymilk coagulated product t1 discharged from the coagulation container Cc is supplied into the hopper H via the slope sl1. The hopper H includes a stirring device s including a motor m and a stirring blade sb, and the soymilk coagulated product t1 is stirred by the stirring device s in the hopper H and then passed through the pipe pi1 connected in the hopper H. , The soymilk coagulant (thin solid-liquid mixture) t1 is quantitatively sent to the water remover Wr through the pi2 by the pump P. In the soymilk coagulated product t1 on the water remover Wr, the "yu" t2 is removed, and the concentrated soymilk coagulated product t3 containing the separated "yu" is transferred to the distributor D via the slope sl2 and then distributed. It is distributed and molded on the filter cloth of the molding machine Md by the machine D via the slope sl4 (an upstream weir (not shown) may be separately provided on the upstream side thereof, but may also serve as the upstream weir). ..
Unlike the devices shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the device of FIG. 3 juxtaposes the coagulation device C and the molding device Md. Therefore, since the coagulator is placed on the floor, it is easy to adjust the coagulation, which is an advantage. Further, unlike the drop type, the soymilk coagulated product (thin solid-liquid mixture) is quantitatively sent to the drainer by the pump P, so that there is an advantage that a stable draining state is obtained. However, the disadvantage is that space is required when viewed on a flat surface. Further, since the water removing machine is located above, the same disadvantages as those of the devices shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 occur. For example, when cleaning the device, cleaning droplets are likely to be scattered from above to the surroundings, which tends to be unsanitary. In addition, because there is no scaffolding, it is rather difficult to clean, it is difficult to adjust the water remover, and it is easy to neglect the adjustment of the water remover. In addition, a large-capacity pump is required to pump up the thin, rag-like coagulum, resulting in high power consumption. Moreover, since the pump is expensive, the device is also expensive.

Patent Document 1 discloses a two-story solidification molding machine, and discloses that a wire mesh drum rotary water removing device is located at a high place with respect to a press portion. Patent Document 2 discloses a "tofu supply device"("distributor" in the present application) in FIG. 1, and a molding device (molding machine) provided with a vertical endless conveyor in FIGS. 5 to 7. Patent Document 3 discloses a molding machine provided with an upper and lower endless conveyor in FIG. Patent Document 4 discloses a molding machine provided with an upper and lower endless conveyor in FIG. Patent Document 5 discloses an apparatus / method for incorporating the entire amount of soymilk coagulated product from a coagulator to a molding machine, FIG. 16 (a) describes the same form as that of FIG. 3 of the present application, and FIG. 16 (b) describes the present application. The same form as in FIG. 2 is described. FIG. 9 discloses a form in which the lower cloth is used as a water collecting belt and the water collecting portion is located at a high place. Various distribution means are disclosed in FIGS. 19 to 20. The "solid-liquid mixture" in FIG. 8 is the same as the soymilk coagulated product having a low solid content concentration before water removal referred to in the present application, and the "soymilk coagulated product" also has a high solid content concentration after water removal referred to in the present application. It is the same as soymilk coagulated product.
Patent Document 6 describes a form in which a soymilk coagulation and aging apparatus provided with a spiral portion in a pipeline is installed on an upper part of a molding machine and arranged three-dimensionally. 1, FIG. 4 is dim like soymilk by soymilk progresses spirally portion (in a state where a flocculent coagulum "yu" was mixed. Referred to herein, "vague shape of the solid concentration thin soy milk coagulum" (Equivalent.) Aged and coagulated to break up the rag-like or pudding-like coagulant. A device for sending a concentrated soymilk coagulated product to a continuous molding machine (or a batch type process of a mold box and an air compressor) equipped with upper and lower filter cloth belts is disclosed. In Patent Document 6, the water intake device MS is shown at a high position in FIG. 1, and only a form similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 shown as a conventional example in the present invention is described.
Patent Document 7 discloses a batch-type coagulation device for tofu that is fixed to a base in a vertical position, and transfers soymilk coagulation from below each coagulation container to a molding process in a subsequent process via a soymilk coagulation discharge means. Discharge. Although the molding process of the post-process is not shown, it is a water remover that supplies the soymilk coagulated product to the receiving tank of the continuous molding machine or separates the soymilk coagulated product and "yu" (whey) without going through the receiving tank. It is disclosed that it is directly supplied to. In addition, in the total amount loading method, the soymilk coagulant is directly supplied to the hopper of the distributor without going through the soymilk coagulant receiving tank or the water collector, and the soymilk coagulant is evenly distributed on the lower cloth by the distributor. It is disclosed that the continuous molding machine is directly supplied on the lower cloth without using the cloth. In Patent Document 7, paragraphs 0016 and 0019 of the specification describe the water removal device, but do not describe the position (height) of the water removal device.

Jitsukaisho 50-89996 Jitsukaisho 50-134388 Special Publication No. 52-5583 Special Publication No. 53-39507 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-227092 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-167145 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-132902

With conventional technology, if the water removal device is in a high place or if the manufacturing device is a two-story building, there is a risk of the operator working in a high place, it is difficult to clean and it tends to be unsanitary, and a hot cleaning chemical solution is used during cleaning. There was also a risk of scattering from above, and there were problems with hygiene and workability. In addition, it requires labor to repeatedly reciprocate the stairs during the manufacturing work, and the space is small, which makes the work difficult. Therefore, it is easy for operators to leave their jobs and there is a labor shortage, and there is a need for a device that can reduce the burdensome work as much as possible.

Further, in the conventional technique, when the water removing device is provided at a high place, the soymilk coagulated product is easily transferred by using the head (gravity), so that the density and particle size of the solid content of the soymilk coagulated product are likely to vary. In addition, since the height of the water removal device is difficult to see when it is in a high place, it is difficult to adjust the water removal condition in small steps, and the control of the water removal process, which is important for product adjustment, tends to be insufficient. In addition, when transferred by the head, air may be caught in the coagulated soymilk, thinning the skin of the fried soymilk, and the texture of the contents may become uneven, which causes unstable product quality and causes loss. It was also. In the case of tofu dough (hard cotton tofu), if too much air is caught in the tofu dough, the tofu may float in the water tank or boil tank. In general, soybean quality of raw materials, soymilk production conditions such as soybean immersion, crushing, boiling, and separation, soymilk concentration and temperature, coagulation conditions such as coagulant type and addition amount and coagulation stirring conditions, and quality improvement of other defoaming agents, etc. Due to the influence of the agent, the state of the coagulated particles changes and fluctuates, and the drainage condition changes and fluctuates accordingly, which affects the water content and binding force of the tofu dough obtained in the molding process, and the final product such as frying. It has some effect on quality. Therefore, it is necessary for the operator to constantly monitor the draining condition and make fine adjustments. In the past, it was difficult to keep an eye on monitoring due to high places, and there were many cases where fine adjustments were not made sufficiently.

In addition , when pumping soymilk coagulated product with a low solid content concentration or receiving it in each balance tank before and after, it is easy to separate "yu" (whey) and soymilk coagulated product, and it is necessary to have a stirrer. If there is no such product, it may lead to uneven product quality. During long-term production, the blades of the stirrer increased the amount of deposits derived from soymilk coagulant, which was not preferable in terms of hygiene and product quality. ..

Against this background, recently, space has been taken up when arranging, such as the two-story manufacturing equipment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the manufacturing equipment in which the water removal device shown in FIG. 3 is located at a high place. There is a need for operator-friendly manufacturing equipment with improved hygiene, workability, and product quality, rather than non-manufacturing equipment. In other words, even if placement space is required, the user has the advantage of a long line, a straight line, no need to move up and down to walk during work, a flat flow line, and improved workability. There is a tendency to be sought after. Further, by using such a manufacturing device, it is expected that the burdensome work will be reduced, and finally the long-term employment of operators and the elimination of the shortage of personnel will be solved.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to eliminate the troublesomeness of cleaning due to the installation of the water removing device at a high place, which has been generated in the past, and to utilize the head (gravity) to obtain the solid content concentration of the soymilk coagulated product. The purpose is to reduce variations in the shade and particle size of. Another object of the present invention is to provide a tofu production device that eliminates the difficulty of visually observing the water removal state due to the installation of the water removal device at a high place and facilitates the adjustment of the water removal condition. Furthermore, the workability of the flow line of workers who had to go up and down due to the conventional water removal device at a high place is improved, the risk of cleaning chemicals falling from above is reduced, and safer work is possible. It is possible to provide a variety of tofu manufacturing equipment.
Further, an object of the present invention is to reduce the cost by reducing the capacity of the pump (about 2/3 to 1/2) and reducing the power consumption required for the liquid feeding as compared with the conventional method of feeding the entire amount of the soymilk coagulated product. To do. Furthermore, even with the same pump capacity, the number of revolutions can be reduced to feed the liquid, making it easier to avoid breaking the particles of soymilk coagulant into smaller pieces than necessary, and providing a tofu manufacturing device for producing higher quality tofu. There is.
Another object of the present invention is to compare with the conventional method of sending a soymilk coagulated product having a low solid content concentration, in which "yu" (whey) and the coagulated product tend to separate easily and become uneven in the tanks before and after the pump. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tofu manufacturing apparatus that makes it difficult to separate the tofu in the receiving tanks before and after the pump, can send the liquid evenly, can evenly distribute the liquid to the molding machine, and facilitates molding into uniform tofu. In some cases, the stirring device for each tank can be omitted, the device cost and power consumption are reduced, and the deposits on the wall of the vessel (sometimes falling off and the part may become a defective product) are also reduced. It also makes it possible to provide tofu production equipment whose product quality is easy to stabilize.

The tofu continuous production apparatus of the present invention conforms to the content described in claim 1 after → amendment.
Further, the tofu continuous production apparatus of the present invention conforms to the content described in claim 2 after → amendment.

According to the present invention, in the pump feeding step after the water removal step, a concentrated soymilk coagulated product from which "yu" (whey) has been removed by about 20 to 60% is sent. It takes less time than the conventional method to send to the process, the capacity is improved, or the capacity of the pump can be reduced by about 2/3 to 1/2, the initial cost can be reduced, and the power consumption required for liquid feeding can be reduced. It will be less expensive, consume less energy, and be more environmentally friendly. Further, even with the same pump capacity, since the liquid can be sent at a reduced rotation speed, it becomes easy to avoid breaking the particles of the soymilk coagulated product into smaller pieces than necessary, and higher quality tofu can be produced.
Also , in the conventional case of sending soymilk coagulated product with a low solid content concentration , "yu" (whey) and coagulated product tend to separate easily in the tanks before and after the pump, but it tends to become uneven, but via a water remover. When the concentrated soymilk coagulant is sent to the transfer process by the pump after removing the "yu", it is difficult to separate it in the receiving tanks before and after the pump, the liquid can be sent evenly, and it can be evenly distributed to the molding equipment. It becomes easy to mold into homogeneous tofu. In some cases, the stirring device for each tank can be omitted, the device cost and power consumption are reduced, and the deposits on the wall of the vessel (sometimes falling off and the part may become a defective product) are also reduced. It is possible to stabilize the product quality.

According to the present invention, since the soymilk coagulated product having a high solid content concentration is evenly distributed because it is received by the distribution device receiving hopper and then distributed on the lower cloth of the molding device by the distribution device. In addition, by receiving the soymilk coagulated product with a high solid content that flows in intermittently to the hopper below, the amount of pumped up and distributed on the lower cloth of the molding device is reduced, and the metering pump rotates slowly by that amount. This makes it possible to pump the soymilk while suppressing the crushing of the soymilk coagulant, making it easier to adjust the balance between the upstream and downstream processes. In addition, the process of sending from the coagulant to the water remover is equipped with a hopper and a metering pump for adjusting the supply amount of soymilk coagulant (solid-liquid mixture with a low solid content concentration), and sends from the water remover to the distributor. because and a hopper H2 and metering pump P2 for controlling a thick soy milk coagulum (dark solid-liquid mixture of solids concentration) supply amount of t3 of solid concentration in step is controlled by independent both steps Alternatively, the supply amount can be continuously adjusted to a stable state by controlling so that both are synchronized and interlocked. Therefore, compared to the head type, it is possible to control the supply amount more finely and stably for each manufacturing process.
Further, according to the present invention, the distribution device provided with the mobile nozzle at the tip supplies the soymilk coagulated product t3 having a high solid content concentration while the nozzle tip swings on the filtration cloth on the inlet side of the continuous molding device. It is possible to continuously and evenly distribute the filter cloth f2 on the inlet side of the molding apparatus. In the present invention, none of them is limited by the distribution method.
According to the present invention, the water take-up device is in the below molding apparatus immediately after the coagulation system, by disposing above the molding apparatus with a minimum height difference needed an outlet water taking Ri device, conventional Compared to the device above the molding device, the water removal device can reduce the pump capacity to be pumped up, leading to a reduction in initial device cost and power consumption. In the coagulation device, the soymilk coagulated product is uniformly broken by the breaking device to make the coagulated particles uniform in size to some extent. However, depending on the elapsed time, re-aggregation may occur and large coagulated particles may be formed. It affects the degree of draining and water separation during molding, and can affect the quality of fried food. Therefore , by draining water immediately after the coagulation device and below the molding device, it is possible to prevent subsequent re-aggregation (re-separation from "Yu") and prevent the soymilk coagulant from being unnecessarily broken, and the early stage of the molding process. The natural dehydration process of the tofu promotes uniform drainage and molding of tofu, making it easier to obtain water-retaining and elastic tofu, leading to improved quality and stabilization.
In addition, since the water removal device is juxtaposed immediately below the molding device immediately after the coagulation device, the inside of the water removal device can be easily seen during work, making it easier to make fine adjustments and clogging. Has become easier to respond (clean) quickly and safely.

In the tofu continuous production apparatus of the present invention, the water removal device is located between the coagulation device and the molding device, and the coagulation device, the water removal device, and the molding device are horizontally adjacent to each other and installed independently. The soymilk coagulated product having a high solid content concentration of the water removing device is located at a position lower than the receiving height of the distribution device provided on the inlet side of the molding device or the inlet side of the molding device. To do.
Further, in the tofu continuous production apparatus of the present invention, the water removing device is located between the coagulating device and the molding device, and the coagulating device, the water removing device and the molding device are at substantially the same height level in the horizontal direction. The soymilk coagulated product having a high solid content concentration is located below the lower cloth on the inlet side of the molding device.

According to the present invention, by arranging the coagulation device, the water removing device, and the molding device on the floor and transferring the soymilk coagulated product using the transfer pump, the water removing device can be arranged on the floor instead of the high place. It becomes. Since the water removal device is installed at a low position, it is easy to wash, and because it does not use the head (gravity), the solid content concentration of the soymilk coagulant varies, the particle size and flow rate vary, and air is caught in the soymilk coagulant. Hard to get up. In addition, it is easy to visually check the water removal state, and it is easy to adjust the water removal condition. In addition, since the water removing device is not located at a high place, there is no need to go up and down, workability is improved in the horizontal flow line, and there is no risk of the cleaning chemical solution falling from above, enabling safer work.
In addition, since 1 to 90% of "yu" (whey) is sent, especially 20 to 60% in the case of fried soymilk, the concentrated soymilk coagulated product is sent, so the conventional method of sending the entire amount of soymilk coagulated product to the next step after the coagulation process. The capacity of the pump can be reduced by about 2/3 to 1/2, the initial cost can be reduced, and the power consumption required for liquid feeding can be reduced, resulting in a lower cost. Further, even with the same pump capacity, since the liquid can be sent at a reduced rotation speed, it becomes easy to avoid breaking the particles of the soymilk coagulated product into smaller pieces than necessary, and higher quality tofu can be produced.
If the conventional feeding a solid concentration thin soymilk coagulum Further, in the tank around the pump and "yu" (whey), but soy milk coagulum is likely become easily uneven separation, through the water take-up device When the concentrated soymilk coagulant is sent to the transfer process by the pump after removing the "yu", it is difficult to separate it in the receiving tanks before and after the pump, the liquid can be sent evenly, and it can be evenly distributed to the molding equipment. It becomes easy to mold into homogeneous tofu. In some cases, the stirring device for each tank can be omitted, the device cost and power consumption are reduced, and the deposits on the wall of the vessel (sometimes falling off and the part may become a defective product) are also reduced. It is possible to stabilize the product quality.

It is a figure which shows the conventional tofu continuous production apparatus. It is a figure which shows the tofu continuous production apparatus which does not have a conventional hopper. It is a figure which shows the tofu continuous production apparatus provided with the conventional metering pump. It is a figure which shows the tofu continuous production apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the tofu continuous production apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the tofu continuous production apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention.

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

FIG. 4 is a side view schematically showing the tofu continuous production apparatus 100 of the present invention. The tofu continuous production apparatus 100 of the present embodiment includes a coagulation device C for adding a coagulant to warm soy milk and coagulating the soy milk, which is placed on a base (factory floor) Ba, and discharging from the coagulation device C. The "Yu" was removed by a water removing device (water removing machine) Wr for removing "Yu" contained in the rag-like coagulated soymilk, which is a solid-liquid mixture having a low solid content concentration, and a water removing device Wr. and concentrated soy milk coagulum pump for continuously supplying (solid-enriched solid-liquid mixture) to the molding device inlet side (metering pump) P, in order to evenly distribute on the lower cloth f2 molding apparatus Md Distributor (distributor) D and a molding device Md for molding a concentrated soymilk coagulant are provided, and as shown in FIG. 4, the coagulator C, the water removal device Wr, the pump P, the distributor D, and the molding The devices Md are arranged in this order. The solidifying device C is mounted on the base (Cb1, Cb2), the water removing device Wr is mounted on the base Wb, and the molding device Md is mounted on the base Mb, and the height from the floor (arrangement surface) is adjusted. .. The coagulation device C, the water removal device Wr, and the molding device Md are arranged substantially horizontally so that the flow lines do not need to move up and down during work. Further, the coagulation device C, the water removing device Wr, and the molding device Md are arranged linearly to form a linear flow line.

In the tofu continuous production apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the pump P is used for transferring the soymilk coagulant, and the coagulation apparatus C in the supply step Su and the molding apparatus Md in the distribution molding step DM are arranged independently of each other.
Generally, the pump P and the molding device Md are arranged on the base (factory floor) Ba for the coagulation device C, the water removal device Wr, and the transfer, so that the coagulation device C and the molding device Md are juxtaposed substantially horizontally. .. In FIG. 4, the soymilk coagulant t1 discharged from the coagulator C is sent to the water removing device Wr via the slope sl1. In the soymilk coagulated product t3 having a high solid content concentration on the water removing device Wr, the "yu" t2 is removed along the slope sl2, and the separated "yu" is removed from the concentrated soymilk coagulated product t3. It is supplied into the hopper H. Although not shown, the hopper H may be provided with a stirring device s including a motor m and a stirring blade sb, and the soymilk coagulated product t3 is stirred in the hopper H by the stirring device s and then connected to the hopper H. and through the pipe pi1, quantitatively feeding a thick soy milk coagulum t3 of solids concentration in water up device Wr through the pipe pi2 by the pump P to the distribution tank t. The soymilk coagulated product t3 having a high solid content concentration quantitatively sent to the distribution tank t is uniformly distributed and molded by the distributor D on the lower filter cloth f2 on the inlet side of the molding machine Md.

In the present invention, the target product is preferably a product obtained by breaking and molding a rag-shaped coagulated product of soymilk having a low solid content concentration or a soft coagulated product of pudding. For example, cotton tofu dough, especially hard tofu such as hard tofu, Extra Firm Tofu (solid content 15-35% wt), fried tofu, thick fried tofu, fried tofu, frozen tofu dough, ganmodoki dough, and other frozen products. The solid content of tofu dough for secondary processed foods is preferably 15 to 35% wt. The most preferable target is fried dough such as sushi fried, thin fried, and thick fried. In the present invention, these intermediate products and final products are referred to as tofu.

The pre-process of the coagulation device C of the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, the soymilk used is degassed in advance, sterilized, or added with various additives (antifoaming agent, auxiliary material, auxiliary raw material). Magnesium chloride (including bittern, crude seawater magnesium chloride, and emulsified bittern), calcium chloride, calcium sulfate and the like are used as the coagulant, and transglutaminase, starch and the like are used as auxiliary materials. These coagulants and auxiliary materials may be any commercially available products as long as they can be liquefied and added to soymilk by dissolving them in water or emulsifying and dispersing them in a food solvent (edible oil).

Coagulation apparatus C another round type batch coagulation apparatus is each bucket Cc as shown in FIG. 4 orbiting the base Cb1, each bucket Cc is described later may also batchwise coagulator which is fixed to the base Cb1 It may be a continuous coagulator, and is not particularly limited. For example, in the case of a batch type coagulation device, a coagulation container Cc (balance tank, coagulation bucket) for receiving the solid-liquid mixture is provided, and a coagulation device for coarsely collapsing the solid-liquid mixture is provided in the coagulation container Cc. is there. The coagulation container Cc of the batch type coagulator C preferably has a cylindrical or square upper portion and a continuous hemispherical bottom portion, that is, a shape having a cylindrical upper portion and a hemispherical bottom portion. The upper side wall or lid may have ventilation means such as an opening or a vent. In order to keep the inside of the coagulation container Cc clean and to facilitate the maintenance of the internal pressure, it is preferable to provide a lid that substantially closes the opening of the coagulation container from above.
When the coagulation device C is a continuous coagulator, a pipe coagulator, an in-line coagulator, and other belt-type coagulators that coagulate by passing through the pipe can be considered. An example of the device is a boat-shaped coagulator. In the case of a boat-shaped coagulator, a fixing mechanism is provided in which the bottom is once pushed up in the middle of the boat-shaped tank and broken by passing over the bottom. Further, as another example of the continuous coagulator, a device (pipe coagulator) that coagulates by passing through the pipe may be used. In the case of a pipe coagulator, in order to mix the coagulant with soymilk, a soymilk feed metering pump connected to the soymilk tank, a coagulant feed metering pump connected to the coagulant tank, and an in-line type mixing and stirring device are provided. , They are concatenated. In addition, the continuous coagulator may be a device that coagulates with a metal belt coagulator, a resin / rubber belt coagulator, or the like, and is not particularly limited. The roughing device is also not particularly limited, and is provided in, for example, a bucket during aging, and has, for example, a wire mesh or a grid-like container, a type in which a wire mesh is provided in a tubular body, a type in which a screw or a wing is provided, and a large number of holes. A type with a plate, a type in which a screw-shaped one is rotated by a motor, a type in which a comb-shaped one is rotated, a type in which a foamer-type one is rotated, a type in which a saw-shaped one is rotated, and a screw-type or comb tooth A type in which the mold moves up and down is used.

The water removal device Wr (water removal machine, water removal drum, water removal belt) is located in the post-process of the coagulation container Cc of the supply process Su, and transfers "Yu" t2 from the soymilk coagulant t1 supplied from the coagulation container Cc. separated, moderately soy milk coagulum include "yu" (solid-liquid mixture) generates t3, some "yu" only soy milk coagulum t3 that includes a dispensing device D (the receiving side of the molding device Md) It is not particularly limited as long as it is a filtration device for supplying to. The water take-up device Wr is present such as water up drum and water up belt, but as the water taking Ri drum, there is the type in which the tubular wire mesh provided with a spiral feed plate rotationally driven, as water taking Ri belt There is a type that drives a short endless belt. Water taking Ri belt, as shown in FIG. 4, provided with a filter cloth f and drive roller dr and the driven roller fr, inclined portions by these (slope portion) is formed, soymilk by rotationally driving the driving roller dr The coagulated product and "yu" (also called whey, stains, or water separation) are separated. In the supply method via the water removal device having a single configuration, "yu" is removed in advance, so that it is easy to squeeze and mold.
As shown in FIG. 4, the inclined portion (slope portion) has a drain pan dp arranged below the slope portion, and a drain port op1 for draining the separated "yu". Further, the inclined portion may be composed of a first inclined portion and a second inclined portion. Like the first inclined portion, the second inclined portion is also provided with a drain pan and a drain port (not shown).
A cleaning device may be arranged in the water removing device Wr, and the cleaning device is mainly used during production or during cleaning (used after using the device), and is used as a filter cloth for a conveyor by high-pressure water ejected from a high-pressure cleaning nozzle. It is used to wash away the soymilk coagulant remaining in f and prevent clogging of the filter cloth f. Although not shown, the water removing device Wr may be provided with a scraping means such as a scraper.

As shown in FIG. 4, the hopper H is located between the water removing device Wr and the pump P, and once receives the thick soymilk coagulated product t3 containing an appropriate amount of “yu” sent from the water removing device Wr. Then, the amount of the soymilk coagulated product t3 is adjusted by the pump P and supplied to the distributor D. The shape of the hopper H is not particularly limited.

The pump P is preferably a type of pump that can supply coarse solid matter without damaging it. Examples of pumps include rotary pumps, tubing pumps (hose pumps), gear pumps, sine pumps, mono pumps, screw pumps, vane pumps, monoflex pumps, etc., and continuous positive displacement pumps are most preferable. .. When soymilk coagulated product with a high solid content is sent as it is without breaking it, a low-speed rotation pump that does not easily generate shearing force or frictional heat is desirable due to its structure. In addition, due to its structure, it has low pulsation and is quantitative, and both the suction side diameter and the discharge side diameter are large (1 inch or more, preferably 1.5 to 5 inches) so that the coagulated product is not crushed too finely. A large metering pump (motor capacity may be relatively small) that can reduce the number of revolutions as much as possible when supplying the coagulated product is preferable. In the batch type, a diaphragm type pump, a plunger pump, a piston pump, a syringe pump or the like may be used. Further, a pump having a configuration in which pulsation is suppressed, such as a pump having an accumulator or the like, may be used instead of the continuous pump. A flow meter for PID control of the flow rate of the continuous positive displacement pump may be provided. Further, in the case of a soymilk pump for sending soymilk to a coagulator, it may be automatically controlled to be interlocked with or synchronized with a continuous coagulator or a batch coagulator in a subsequent process, and it is preferable to provide a low pulsation metering pump. Instead of the quantitative pump, a bucket conveyor, a pipe conveyor, a water wheel type lifting device, or the like may be used.
It is desirable to provide each bucket with timer control or control by a level sensor such as a float type so as to measure a certain amount of soymilk. As the pump used for supplying the soymilk, a centrifugal pump may be used in addition to the above-mentioned quantitative pump. In addition, when the products are fried, an air injection device that mixes a predetermined amount of air into soymilk may be provided in front of those pumps, and it is also appropriately combined to uniformly clean the skin and contents of the fried food. You may.

The distributor D is mounted on the upper end of the molding machine Md. The distributor D includes a tank t for the distributor and a supply device s for the distributor. The distributor tank t is provided with a stirring motor m1 for reciprocating or rotating the concentrated solidified product t3 containing "yu" inside the tank t, and the bottom of the distributor tank is stirred. A distributor s for supplying a thick solidified product t3 containing "Yu" to the lower conveyor c2 of the molding machine Md is provided, and is integrated with the bottom of the tank for the distributor. The distributor s evenly discharges and supplies the concentrated soymilk coagulated product t3 containing the agitated "yu" by a grooved rotary rotor having a rotation axis in the width direction of the lower conveyor c2.

In the molding apparatus Md, an endless upper conveyor c1 and an endless lower conveyor c2 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the base Mb, and each of them is provided with an endless filter cloth on the outer periphery thereof. A continuous molding device that is driven in synchronization is preferable. As the molding apparatus , a batch type molding apparatus, a continuous molding apparatus, a batch type continuous molding apparatus using a mold, and the like can be considered.
The upper conveyor c1 and the lower conveyor c2 are conveyors made of a metal material such as steel, stainless steel or titanium. For example, a metal such as stainless steel such as SUS304 or SUS316 is used. Both the upper conveyor c1 and the lower conveyor c2 are plate conveyors (“caterpillar” type conveyors, caterpillars are registered trademarks) in which rigid plate plates are arranged on a chain at predetermined intervals. The upper filter cloth and the lower filter cloth are filter cloths made of resin monofilament threads such as fluorine, polyester, and polypropylene.
Further, the plate conveyor may have a concave cross section.
The upper conveyor c1 is supported by the upper endless filter cloth f1, and the filter cloth (filter cloth) f1 is rotated by the drive roller (drive pulley) dr1 and the driven roller (drive pulley) fr1. The driven roller fr1 is driven around the driven roller dr1 by transmitting the rotation of the filter cloth (filter cloth) f1. The same applies to the lower conveyor c2, and the lower endless filter cloth f2 is supported by the lower conveyor c2. The filter cloth f2 is wound around the drive roller dr2 and the outer periphery of the driven roller fr2, and is circulated by the drive roller dr2.
The filter cloths f1 and f2 have a wide ring-shaped shape for capturing the solid-liquid mixture and dehydrating the "yu", and are configured as an endless belt (endless belt), for example, made of fluororesin. It is a plain weave of monofilament (wire diameter 0.1 to 1.0 mm) and is heat-treated (shrink-proof treatment) before weaving. The opening is 10 to 300 mesh, preferably 20 to 80 mesh. As long as it is a filter cloth for dehydration / molding of a continuous molding device for tofu / fried dough, the material, weaving method, secondary processing, etc. of the thread are not particularly limited.
The molding device Md is provided with a leveling device for leveling the concentrated soymilk coagulated product t3 containing "yu" supplied from the distribution device D (not shown). The leveling device has, for example, a structure in which a flat plate is moved up and down by a cylinder or a structure in which the flat plate is reciprocated left and right, and is a leveling device in a form that fits in a concave transport path formed by a pair of side conveyors or a fixed side wall with a lower conveyor c2. Is.

(Manufacturing method of this embodiment)
Next, a case where tofu is produced by using the water removing device Wr of the tofu continuous production apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described.

In the coagulation method using the batch type coagulator device C , first, the solid-liquid mixture t1 is once received in the coagulation container Cc (balance tank, coagulation bucket), and the coagulation container Cc is provided with a coarse breaking device to coarsen the coagulation container Cc. Perform the destruction process. The coagulation container Cc (bucket or mold box) circulates in a simple movement, and a series of operations such as soymilk weighing, coagulation stirring, aging, (breaking), inversion, and (filling) are processed in units of one bucket. As one form, the soymilk coagulated product may be once received by the soymilk coagulated product tank when the bucket is inverted. In the case of the batch type, the aging bucket is provided with a grid-like round bar, a rough punching plate that reciprocates up and down, and a rough breaking device that breaks up and down while rotating the screw blades. There is also a method of dropping it on a coarse wire mesh and crushing it when the bucket is inverted. By using a coarse-breaking device, the soymilk coagulated product that has been cut into "Yu" becomes a relatively uniform block of tofu, and the dehydration rate of "Yu" (whey) in the natural dehydration process and the pressing press process in the subsequent process The thickness of tofu and fried tofu can be averaged to even out the water content. The soymilk coagulated product t1 (solid-liquid mixture having a low solid content concentration ) that has been appropriately coarsely broken and discharged from the coagulation container Cc in this way is sent to the water remover Wr via the slope sl1.

As an example of the coagulation method by the continuous coagulation device C, a method of coagulating by passing through a pipe (pipe coagulation method, an in-line coagulation method), a method of coagulating by a gutter type coagulator or the like can be considered.
Even in the case of the coagulation step by the continuous coagulation device C , it is conceivable that the pipe outlet for continuously feeding the soymilk containing the coagulant is directly above the water removing device Wr to supply the soymilk. Further, at the outlet of the pipe, the soymilk coagulant t1 may be poured into the water removing device Wr by a positive displacement metering pump after receiving the soymilk coagulant tank once.

The soymilk coagulated product t1 supplied on the filter cloth f of the conveyor c of the water removing device Wr is placed on the filter cloth f rotated by the drive roller dr via a non-perforated chute (not shown, the front-rear position is variable). It is transported to Hopper H while being "yu" cut. The “Yu” t2 cut into “Yu” on the filter cloth f is received in the drain pan dp and discharged from the discharge port op1 provided in the lower part of the drain pan dp. Since the water removing device Wr drains water using an inclination (slope), the drop point of the separated "Yu" is determined, it becomes easy to receive it on the drain pan dp, and the power consumption required for transporting the soymilk coagulated product t1. Can be suppressed.
In the endless filter cloth belt type water removing device Wr, the soymilk coagulated product having a low solid content concentration is filtered through a filter cloth surface of 10 to 300 mesh, and separated into "yu" and a thick soymilk coagulated product. Generally, "Yu" is squeezed so as to be sandwiched between the upper and lower endless filter cloths and the press plate that supports and guides them with the molding device Md , except for the amount of 1 to 90%, preferably 20 to 60% of the original amount of soymilk. The remaining "yu" is separated to produce tofu with a solid content of 15 to 35% wt (fried dough, hard tofu, Extra Firm Tofu, etc.) from a soymilk solid content concentration of 2 to 10% wt. .. The amount excluding "yu" is 2-5% wt for soymilk solids and 15-35% wt for final dough solids in the case of standard fried dough, and 20-60% (against soymilk) with a water remover on the way. Amount), or 60 to 20% (amount of soymilk) is usually removed by a molding machine. In the case of a filter cloth belt, the number of revolutions, the front-back position and chute width of the non-perforated chute when pouring a thin rag-shaped soymilk coagulant onto the filter cloth belt, the direction and shape of the pouring nozzle, and the driving roller dr Fine-tune according to the number of revolutions to get the optimum draining condition.
The other water removal device Wr may be in the form of a conventional 10-300 mesh tubular SUS wire mesh, and a water removal drum having a reinforcing frame inside the tubular SUS wire mesh and a spiral feed vane. In the case of a draining drum, fine-tune the draining condition by changing the rotation speed and the mesh of the wire mesh. Further, on the chute, a thin soymilk coagulant t1 is poured onto a fixed chute incorporating a plate having a large number of fine holes by etching or an electron beam or the above-mentioned SUS wire mesh, etc. to remove water. You may.
The slope sl2 is used in the case of the belt type water removing device Wr, and may also serve as a scraping plate for scraping off the thick soymilk coagulated product t3, and the rich soymilk coagulated product t3 is distributed in the hopper of the distributing device D. It is used as a shoot when it flows down while being guided to.

The soymilk coagulated product t3 having a high solid content concentration and containing "yu" supplied to the inlet of the hopper H is put in from the inlet of the hopper and discharged as it is from the outlet op at the bottom of the hopper. Solid concentration dark soy milk coagulum t 3 is supplied to the distributor D on the upward while being adjusted amount supplied by metering pump P.

The metering pump P has a rotation speed when supplying the soymilk coagulated product t3 having a high solid content concentration in order to prevent the soymilk coagulated product t3 having a high solid content concentration from being crushed too finely and to make it difficult to embrace air bubbles. Is sent as small as possible. Therefore, a large, low-pulsation, low-rotation, continuous positive displacement metering pump is used to supply the soymilk coagulated product t3 having a high solid content concentration. Further, in order to send the coarse solid matter in the soymilk coagulated product t3 having a high solid content concentration to the distributor D without damaging it when passing through the pipes pi1 and pi2, the suction side diameter of the pipe pi1 and the discharge side diameter of the pipe pi2 are adjusted. A large-diameter (1 inch or more, preferably 1.5 to 5 inches, more preferably 1.5 to 3.0 inches) metering pump P is used to transfer the solid- rich soymilk coagulated product t3. Further, in order to effectively utilize the fact that the hopper H is arranged in the previous process of the metering pump P and to send the soymilk coagulated product t3 having a high solid content concentration to the distributor D without damaging it, the solid is solidified by the flow meter for PID control. The soymilk coagulated product t3 having a high concentration is supplied while controlling the flow rate. Due to the viscosity of the thick soymilk coagulant, it is easy to embrace air bubbles during heading and liquid feeding, and it is difficult for air bubbles to escape. Therefore, if the thick soymilk coagulated product containing many air bubbles is molded as it is, it will be contained in the dough. The dough tends to contain a lot of air bubbles and looks bad. Also, in the case of frying, it may cause unevenness of the skin and contents, oil absorption, etc., so care must be taken to embrace air bubbles. In the conventional method of naturally dropping the thick soymilk coagulated product obtained from the water removing device Wr with a chute and dropping it into the distributor hopper, air bubbles are likely to be mixed in, and the fried skin is partially thinned or the contents are structured. the was uneven in some cases lead to loss and hard because the cotton tofu sometimes become trouble floats in water or hot water chewing air, as in the present invention, a metering pump P a thick soy milk coagulum By sending the liquid to the distributor D and letting it flow along the inner wall of the distributor hopper or below the liquid surface, it is possible to suppress the entrapment of air bubbles, improving quality, suppressing loss, and improving yield. Is planned.

The distributor tank t of the distributor D receives and temporarily stores the concentrated soymilk coagulated product t3 containing "yu" discharged from the discharge port of the pipe pi2. The distributor tank t is a distributor s that uniformly distributes the soymilk coagulant t3 on the filter cloth f2 of the lower conveyor c2 via the slope sl4. Conventionally, the slope sl4 is transmitted from a distribution device (a method in which a wide grooved rotor rotates and can be said to be a positive displacement pump) onto the lower cloth of the molding machine so that the thick soymilk coagulant does not foam and scatter. It is used as a chute to assist and guide even distribution by dropping (natural drop type). Since the size and state of the coagulated particles of the soymilk coagulated product flowing down the chute can be visually observed, it can be used as a guide when adjusting the product and also as a weir to prevent back leakage. Although not shown, the molding machine is provided with fixed weirs on the upstream side and both side surfaces so that the thick soymilk coagulated product does not leak on the lower cloth on the inlet side. The slope sl4 may also serve as the fixed weir.
The lower conveyor c2 of the molding apparatus Md is an endless conveyor that is rotated by a front driven roller fr2 and a rear driving roller dr2, and is wound around the outer circumference of the lower conveyor c2 as the lower conveyor c2 rotates. The endless filter cloth f2 also rotates. Similarly, the upper conveyor c1 is an endless conveyor that is rotated by a front driven roller fr1 and a rear driving roller dr1, and is an endless filter wound around the outer periphery of the upper conveyor c1 as the upper conveyor c1 rotates. The cloth f1 also rotates. When the drive rollers dr2 and dr1 are rotationally driven via the drive means (not shown), the filter cloths f2 and f1 advance in the direction of arrow a in FIG. 4, and a thick soymilk coagulant t3 containing "yu" is formed. Transport while transporting. A thick soymilk coagulated product t3 containing "yu" is molded, and is extra from a predetermined gap between the upper conveyor c1 and the lower conveyor c2, which are driven in synchronization and synchronization, via the upper and lower filter cloths f1 and f2. Water or "yu" is discharged. In this way, the thick soymilk coagulant t3 is squeezed and molded between the filter cloth f2 that rotates in synchronization with the lower conveyor c2 and the filter cloth f1 that rotates in synchronization with the upper conveyor c1.
The tofu after being supplied to the molding apparatus Md is processed in the next manufacturing process line equipped with a cutting machine, a fryer, a boil sterilizer, a cooler, a freezing freezer, a packaging machine and the like. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the concentrated soymilk coagulant t3 transported on the molding apparatus Md in the direction of arrow a and squeezed and molded between the filter cloth f2 and the filter cloth f1 is the first cutting device Cd1. The tofu T is cut into strips by the one cutting blade b, and then molded into the tofu T in units of one by the second cutting device Cd2.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a side view schematically showing the tofu continuous production apparatus 101 of the second embodiment. The tofu continuous line 101 of the present embodiment includes a coagulation device C for adding a coagulant to warm soymilk and coagulating soymilk, which is arranged on a base (factory floor) Ba, and a soymilk coagulant (thin solid). Liquid mixture) A hopper H1 for receiving and storing t1, a metering pump P1 for supplying to the water removal device Wr, and a rag-shaped soymilk coagulation discharged from the coagulator, which is a solid-liquid mixture with a low solid content concentration. Receives a water removal device (water removal machine) Wr for removing "yu" contained in the product and a thick soymilk coagulant (solid-liquid mixture with high solid content concentration) t3 from which "yu" has been removed by the water removal device. On the lower hopper H2 for storing the soymilk, the pump (quantitative pump) P2 for continuously supplying the concentrated soymilk coagulated product t3 to the upper molding device inlet side, and the lower cloth f2 of the molding device Md. A distribution device (distributor) D for evenly distributing the soymilk and a molding device Md for molding a concentrated soymilk coagulant are provided, and as shown in FIG. 5, the coagulation device Md, the hopper H1, and the metering pump P1 are provided. The water removing device Wr, the hopper H2, the pump P2, the distributing device D, and the molding device Md are arranged in this order (FIG. 5). The solidifying device C is mounted on the base Cb, the water removing device Wr is mounted on the base Wb, and the molding device Md is mounted on the base Mb, and the height from the floor (arrangement surface) is adjusted. Similar to the first embodiment, the coagulation device C, the water removing device Wr, and the molding device Md are arranged so as to have a flat flow line that does not need to move up and down during work, and also have a linear flow line. Arranged like this.

The tofu continuous production apparatus 101 of the second embodiment did not arrange the water removing device Wr in the step immediately after the coagulation apparatus C, and once received the soymilk coagulant (thin solid-liquid mixture) t1 in the hopper H1. After that, it is supplied to the water removing device Wr by the metering pump P1. Others are the same as in Example 1. The presence of the hopper H1 makes it possible to adjust the supply amount of the soymilk coagulant t1 discharged from the coagulation container C and supply it to the water removing device Wr. The supply amount of soymilk coagulated product (solid-liquid separated product having a low solid content concentration ) t1 is adjusted by the hopper H1 and its metering pump P1, and the concentrated soymilk coagulated product (dense solid-liquid separated product) by the hopper H2 and its metering pump P2. ) Since the amount of supply of t3 upward can be adjusted, the amount of supply can be controlled more finely for each manufacturing process.
The hopper H1 (the hopper after the coagulator and before the water remover) is used with a large capacity because the soymilk coagulant t1 before water removal is charged, and a stirrer is required to prevent separation. .. As the metering pump P1 (the hopper after the coagulator and before the water remover), a large pump having a large capacity is used. The hopper H2 may be a hopper having a small capacity due to the amount of water removed from the soymilk coagulated product, and may or may not have a stirrer. Even if the metering pump P2 is the same model as the metering pump P1, the rotation speed is reduced and the metering pump P2 is slowly moved (because the coagulated particles are not broken into small pieces), so that the life of the pump shaft seal is extended and the maintenance cost is reduced. Moreover, since the pump size can be reduced without lowering the rotation speed, the equipment cost can be reduced and the power consumption can be reduced.
As the pump P2 (second feeding means), continuous positive displacement pumps such as rotary pumps, mono pumps, weidel pumps, vane pumps, gear pumps and tubing pumps, and intermittent positive displacement pumps such as intermittent syringe pumps and diaphragm pumps are preferable. , A lifting conveyor such as a bucket conveyor, a pipe conveyor, a screw conveyor, or a water wheel type lifting device may be used. Centrifugal pumps tend to crush soymilk coagulants into small pieces and should be avoided.

In this embodiment, the soymilk coagulated product is sent at a constant flow rate using the metering pump P regardless of the natural head. Therefore, by adjusting the balance, foaming and foam biting are suppressed, and continuous and stable production is achieved. It can be put into operation and the variation in product quality can be reduced. Further, by supplying from the lower side to the upper side, there is no air pool, the sucked air bubbles can be easily discharged smoothly, and it is possible to suppress the fine dispersion of the bitten air.

(Third Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a side view schematically showing the tofu continuous production apparatus 102 of the third embodiment. The tofu continuous line 102 of the present embodiment includes a coagulation device C for adding a coagulant to warm soymilk and coagulating the soymilk, which is placed on a base (factory floor) Ba, and a soymilk coagulant (thin solid). Liquid mixture) A hopper H1 (with a stirrer) for receiving and storing t1, a metering pump P1 for supplying to the water removal device Wr, and a solid-liquid mixture having a low solid content concentration discharged from the coagulation device C. A water-removing device (water-removing machine) Wr for removing "yu" contained in a certain rag-shaped soymilk coagulant, and a rich soymilk coagulant (high solid content concentration) from which "yu" has been removed by the water-removing device Wr. The hopper H2 (without a stirrer) for receiving and storing the solid-liquid mixture) t3 and the concentrated soymilk coagulated product t3 at the bottom are continuously pumped up to the inlet side of the molding device Md at the top. Pump (quantitative pump) P2 for supplying the liquid, a distributor (distributor) D for pouring directly onto the lower cloth of the molding device Md and distributing evenly, and molding for molding a thick soymilk coagulant. The device Md is provided, and as shown in FIG. 6, the coagulation device C, the hopper H1, the metering pump P1, the water removal device Wr, the hopper H2 (without a stirrer), the pump P2, the distribution device D, and the molding device Md are arranged in this order. , The distribution device D includes a reciprocating movable nozzle (swing nozzle) N and is connected to the tip of the pipe pi4. The solidifying device C is mounted on the base Cb, the water removing device Wr is mounted on the base Wb, and the molding device Md is mounted on the base Mb, and the height from the floor (arrangement surface) is adjusted. As in the other embodiments, the solidifying device C, the water removing device Wr, and the molding device Md are arranged so as to have a flat flow line that does not need to move up and down during work, and also to have a linear flow line. Is placed in.

The continuous production device 102 for tofu according to the third embodiment receives the soymilk coagulant t1 discharged from the coagulation device C once in the hopper H1 and supplies it to the water removal device Wr by the metering pump P1. Same as the second embodiment, but the soymilk coagulated product t3 having a high solid content concentration that has been "boiled" by the water remover Wr is received by the hopper H2 without a stirrer, and the soymilk coagulated product having a high solid content concentration is received. Thick soymilk collected on the lower cloth f2 by a slow swinging motion by a distributor D equipped with a nozzle-shaped mobile nozzle N whose tip moves so as not to break the coagulated particles of t3 as it is. The coagulated product is allowed to flow in below the liquid level or at a height close to the liquid level and distributed onto the filter cloth f2 of the molding apparatus Md so as to suppress foaming and foam biting. The nozzle may be made to flow on the lower cloth f2 along the chute or the like.
Further, a distributor D equipped with a mobile nozzle N at the tip is connected to the pipe pi4, and the mobile nozzle N shakes its head on the filtration cloth f2 on the inlet side of the continuous molding machine Md to coagulate soymilk having a high solid content concentration. Since the object t3 is supplied, it can be continuously and evenly distributed on the filter cloth f2 on the inlet side of the molding apparatus.

As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the types, arrangements, and embodiments of the hopper H (H1, H2), the pumps (P1, P2), and the distributor D are set according to the embodiment. Needless to say, it is possible to change such things as appropriate.

90, 91, 92 Conventional continuous production equipment for tofu,
100, 101, 102 Tofu continuous production equipment,
Ba base (factory floor where continuous tofu production equipment is installed),
Su supply process,
DM distribution molding process,
C coagulator,
Cc coagulation vessel,
Cb, Cb1, Cb2 base (base of coagulator),
sl1, sl2, sl3, sl4 slope,
H1, H2 hopper,
op, op1 outlet,
pi1, pi2, pi3, pi4 piping,
P1, P2 pump (quantitative pump),
Wr water removal device (water removal machine),
f Filter cloth or screen of water removal device,
dp drain pan,
dr drive roller (drive roller for water remover, drive pulley for water remover),
fr driven roller (driven roller for water remover, driven pulley for water remover),
c Conveyor (conveyor for water remover, conveyor for water remover),
Wb base (base for water remover),
m1 motor,
D Distributor (distributor),
t Distributor tank,
s Distributor supply device,
Md molding equipment,
Mb base (base of molding equipment),
a Arrow indicating the transportation direction,
c1 upper conveyor,
dr1 upper drive roller (upper drive pulley),
fr1 Upper driven roller (upper driven pulley),
f1 Upper filter cloth (upper filter cloth),
c2 lower conveyor,
dr2 lower drive roller (lower drive pulley),
fr2 Lower driven roller (lower driven pulley),
f2 Lower filter cloth (upper filter cloth),
Cd1 cutting device,
Cd2 cutting device,
T tofu,
N mobile nozzle

Claims (2)

A coagulator that adds a coagulant to warm soymilk to form a solid-liquid mixture of rag-like soymilk coagulant or soft pudding-like soymilk coagulant and appropriately coarsely breaks it.
Remove the "boiled" included in the hazy like soy milk coagulum or soft pudding-like soy milk coagulum, thick is the dim-like soy milk coagulum or soft pudding-like soy milk coagulum solids concentration than the dark solid-liquid mixture A water removal device that obtains a solid soymilk,
A hopper that receives the thick soymilk coagulated product obtained by the water removing device, and
A feeding device for supplying the concentrated soymilk coagulated product stored in the hopper to the distribution device, and
The distribution device provided on the inlet side of the molding device and uniformly and continuously distributing the concentrated soymilk coagulated product on the lower cloth of the molding device.
It is provided with the molding apparatus for compacting the concentrated soymilk coagulated product into tofu.
The distribution device is provided above the hopper, which is transferred to the water removal device arranged below the coagulation device by a head and stores the concentrated soymilk coagulant obtained through the water removal device. A continuous production device for tofu, wherein the coagulation device, the water removal device, and the molding device are arranged substantially horizontally so as to form a flat flow line that does not need to be moved up and down during work by an operator. The hopper that receives the concentrated soymilk coagulated product obtained through the water removing device is located below the receiving height of the distributing device provided on the inlet side of the molding device, and a metering pump is used for the feeding device. The tofu continuous production apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the concentrated soymilk coagulated product in the lower part is pumped up and supplied to the distribution device in the upper part.

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