JPH07274828A - Tea-making method and apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide driving techniques for the process steps before the intermediate tea leave-rolling step, which is essentially crucial for tea leave processing and tea leave quality. CONSTITUTION:In a series of tea-making process steps including steaming, rough rolling, rolling and twisting, intermediate rolling and finish rolling, the hot air feed rate in the zones of the tea leave maker performing 2 or more steps before the intermediate rolling is unconditionally set to a specific value corresponding to the conditions and properties of the raw tea leaves at the start of tea leave making. Further, in a series of tea-making process steps including steaming, rough rolling, rolling and twisting, intermediate rolling and finish rolling, the tea maker performing 2 or more steps before intermediate rolling is equipped with an air feed rate controller 10 which can unconditionally select one of specific values set according to the conditions and properties of the raw tea leaves to be processed at the start of processing.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

[Object of the Invention]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tea-making method and apparatus, and more particularly to an operation method for steps up to the middle kneading step.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Tea making equipment in tea factories is being so-called FA for automatically controlling all processes as the scale increases. On the other hand, in tea factories where FA is not required, each process The driving situation is set after so-called manual setting. To describe a specific example of such a manual operation management method for a tea manufacturing plant, in many cases, the tea leaves A in the series of steps shown in FIG.
There is an administrator near the kneading machine that is embodying the product quality, and the condition of the tea leaves being processed is grasped by visual observation or by tactile observation with the hands, and mainly the kneading pressure in the kneading machine is used. Is operated manually. And in a situation that is far from the quality that is known empirically, and if the recovery in terms of quality cannot be expected by the operation of only the kneading machine, the tea making machine in the preceding step, such as a leaf cutter, It was operated to switch the amount of hot air supplied to the rough kneader and the middle kneader. Specifically, in many cases, the quality of tea leaves in the stage of being supplied to the kneader is not fully removed, resulting in quality deterioration. In addition, the hot air supply of the tea making machine at the previous stage is set to be switched over.

However, since each of these processes requires a process time of about several tens of minutes, it would be too late to detect an insufficient (unwilling) machining condition in the kneading machine and change the machining condition in the preceding stage, so to speak. It is inevitable that a product with a certain quality is insufficient. In general, in a tea factory with a small production scale, the raw tea raw leaves that are introduced have a wide variety of properties and the like.Therefore, even if the correction operation is performed as described above, the raw tea raw leaves have different conditions. , This correction operation does not make sense. In addition, since the series of processes are related to each other even when the actual processing condition is corrected, the operations of the tea making machine in each process are varied in a permuted combination, and in the end, it is often impossible to perform sufficient operations.

[0004]

[Technical Items Attempted to Develop] The present invention has been made based on the recognition of such a background, and has attempted to develop a tea manufacturing method and apparatus which are practically easy to operate even in a small-scale production. It is a thing.

[0005]

[Constitution of the invention]

[Means for Achieving the Object] That is, the tea making method according to claim 1 is a series of tea making steps including a steaming step, a leaf-beating step, a rough kneading step, a kneading step, a middle kneading step, and a fine kneading step, until the middle kneading step It is characterized in that the value of the hot air supply amount in the tea making machine that performs two or more steps in the former stage is uniquely selected at the time of starting the processing to a value that is predetermined according to the tea leaf properties.

In addition to the above requirements, the tea making method according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the steps before the middle kneading step are a leaf-beating step and a primary rough kneading step.

Furthermore, in addition to the above requirements, the tea making method according to the third aspect is such that the value of the hot air supply amount is 100% when the fully opened state.
In this case, the value of the hot air supply amount to be selected is 100% to 70%, and it is characterized in that it can be selected in three or more steps during this period.

Further, the tea making apparatus according to claim 4 is a tea making machine group that performs a series of tea making steps including a steaming step, a leaf-beating step, a rough kneading step, a kneading step, a middle kneading step, and a fine kneading step. A tea making machine that performs two or more steps before the process is an air volume controller that uniquely selects the value of the hot air supply amount in this one to a value predetermined according to the tea leaf properties at the start of processing. It is characterized by including.

Further, in addition to the above requirements, the tea making apparatus according to claim 5 is characterized in that the tea making machine that performs the preceding steps up to the middle kneading step is a leaf cutter and a primary rough kneading machine. Is.

Further, in the tea making apparatus according to claim 6, in addition to the above requirements, the air flow controller controls the hot air supply amount to be selected when the value of the hot air supply amount is 100% when the fully opened state is 100%. The value is 100% to 70%, and it is characterized in that it can be selected in three or more steps between these values. The above objects are intended to be achieved by these inventions.

[0011]

According to the present invention, the two or more steps in the preceding stage up to the middle kneading step, which is often initially determined as a factor that substantially determines the quality of processing of product tea, are considered as one operation. Then, the value of the hot air volume is uniquely determined at the start of processing to a value that is predetermined according to the properties of the raw tea leaves. As a result, of course, even if there is some variation depending on the individual value of the raw tea leaves, it is possible to supply the tea leaves to the middle kneading process in a processing state within the range where the product quality is generally acceptable, and finally to the refinement process. Until the completion of
An almost ideal processing mode can be obtained.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to illustrated embodiments. In the description of the present invention, first, an outline of a series of tea making apparatuses to which the present invention is applied will be described, and a tea making process will be described, and a tea making method defined in claim 1 or 2 will be described. FIG. 1 shows a series of tea making devices, which include a leaf feeder 1 for sequentially feeding raw tea leaves A ₀ , a steamer 2 for performing a steaming step, a leaf beater 3 for performing a leaf cutting step, and a rough kneading. The first rough kneading machine 4 that performs the primary rough kneading step of the steps, the second rough kneading machine 5 that performs the second rough kneading step of the rough kneading steps, the kneading machine 6 that performs the kneading step, the relay before the middle kneading step Each of these tea making machines (from steamer 2 to milling machine 9 directly acts on tea leaves) including a milling machine 7 for processing, a milling machine 8 for performing a milling process, a milling machine 9 for performing a milling process, and an air volume controller 10. When the apparatus to be described is generally described, a conveyor C is arranged to transfer the tea leaves A between tea making machines or tea making machines). In this specification, the tea leaves A are those which are in the process of being processed, and when there is a particular need for explanation, the raw tea leaves are raw tea leaves A ₀ and the finished tea leaves are product tea A ₁ As described below.

The outline of each tea making machine will be briefly described below. First, as the steamer 2, a conventionally known steamer is applied, and as shown in FIG.
A rotary cylinder type steamer 2 equipped with a stirring shaft 23, a belt conveyor type steamer 2 for feeding the tea leaves A by a belt, and the like, which are conventionally known, are appropriately applied.

Further, the leaf-beating machine 3 is similar to a generally-known rough kneader, and is provided with a hot air generator 31 as shown in FIG. 3, and the hot air from this is introduced into a fixed drum type leaf-beating drum 32. At the same time, a stirring shaft 34 equipped with a squeezing hand 33 is provided in the leaf drum 32 to remove moisture while stirring the steamed leaves. In the illustrated embodiment, the stirring shaft 34 is provided with only the sweeping hand 33, but it may be provided with a kneading hand similar to the kneading hand found in a rough kneader.

The first rough kneading machine 4, the second rough kneading machine 5 and the inner kneading machine 7 have substantially the same structure, and are provided with hot air generators 41, 51 and 71, respectively, as shown in FIG. In addition, with fixed body type kneading cylinders 42, 52, 72,
Further, inside these kneading drums, there are kneading hands 43, 53, 73 and stirring shafts 45, 55, 75 having wiping hands 44, 54, 74. The first rough kneading machine 4 and the second rough kneading machine 5 are provided so that, for example, from the processing capacity of the series of leaf cutters 3 to the processing capacity of the fine kneading machine 9 are all set to be the same per unit time. Set to quantity. By the way, if it is just a weight comparison, the weight will be different due to the removal of water, but the one-time processing amount of the leaf-beating machine 3 is the same as the one-time processing amount up to the kneading machine 9. Means that is necessary.

For this reason, in this embodiment, the rough kneading step is performed by combining the first rough kneading machine 4 and the second rough kneading machine 5. The first rough kneading machine 4 is commonly called in the industry as a wide rough kneading machine or the like, and when the capacity of the second rough kneading machine 5 is 1, the capacity is about 1.25 times in terms of capacity. It is. Regarding the second rough kneading machine 5, one machine is insufficient to process the processing amount per one of the first rough kneading machine 4, and they are simultaneously operated in parallel (apparently in series in the figure). From operating,
It essentially comprises two second rough kneading machines 5.
Similarly, it is preferable to perform the kneading work in a relay manner between the kneading machine 6 and the middle kneading machine 7 as well, so that the relaying second kneading machine 7 is arranged. Therefore, according to the specifications of the processing factory, the rough kneader may be processed in one stage without disposing the first rough kneader 4 and the second rough kneader 5 as a matter of course. Further, it is also possible to eliminate this also in the inside fir tree 7. It is also possible to change the layout of the process that has already been proposed or will be developed in the future, such as applying a device similar to a fixed barrel type rough kneader to the so-called middle kneading process and performing the middle kneading process. is there.

Next, the kneading machine 6 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the kneading machine 6 has a kneading cover 62 which acts on a kneading plate 61 and kneads tea leaves on the kneading plate 61 while rotating the kneading cover 62. This is a conventionally known mechanism.

Next, the middle kneading machine 8 comprises a hot air generator 81 as shown in FIG. 6, a rotary kneading cylinder 82, and a stirring shaft 85 having a kneading hand 83 therein, for further tea leaves. Rub it. In this embodiment, the stirring shaft 85
Although only the rubbing hand 83 is provided in the machine, a rubbing hand that does not carry out the rubbing action (similar to the rubbing hand in the rough kneading machine) may be provided. Further, at the stage of reaching the central kneading machine 8, the water content of the tea leaves A during processing is 100% on a so-called dry base.
% Is preferable. By the way, the water content is 1
In the case of less than 00%, it is possible to measure moisture with high accuracy by using various moisture measuring instruments such as an infrared moisture meter and an ultrasonic moisture meter which have already been developed and marketed.

Next, the precision kneading machine 9 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 7, the tea mill A is put into a kneading pot 91 having an arcuate side face, and this is almost along the arc-shaped face of the kneading pot 91. It is a device for shaping and drying mainly product tea A ₁ by means of a kneading hand 92 that reciprocates.

Further, the air flow controller 10 is installed at an appropriate place on the tea making line, for example, near the starting position of the line. This is configured such that a dial 12 is provided on the control panel 11 and the notches 13 at several stages (in the illustrated embodiment, six notches as an example) can be dial-selected. The external shape is as shown in FIG. The control panel 11 displays a hot air volume ratio and an air volume correspondence table in the display column, and further displays data of alternative elements as a reference for knowing the properties of the raw tea raw leaf A _{0 in} the memo column. . Specifically, in the memo column corresponding to each stage of the notch 13, the plucking time / situation, variety, the plucked field, or alternative factors such as the yield, the estimated water content, and the form of the raw tea leaf A ₀ (size, size, Hardness) is displayed. By the way, the raw tea leaves A ₀ are also affected by the properties (moisture, etc.) depending on the climatic condition immediately before the plucking time. For example, in the first notch and the second notch column of the notch 13, it is known that the water content is significantly high in the case of tea leaves plucked after the rain, as shown by so-called “rain tea”. Also, there are volcanic ash, etc. depending on the place of production, and washed tea etc., which absorbs water by washing it, also has a lot of water. Therefore, it is useful to display such information.

The display of information relating to such various properties is achieved by indirectly displaying mainly the water content, and further the amount and strength of the fibrous material of the tea leaves by an alternative element. Will be there. In particular, the difference in the individuality value for each field takes into consideration the previous year's data or the assumed water content peculiar to the field produced in the current year, so that the selection of the notch can be made different. As shown in the air volume correspondence table of the air volume controller 10, the air volume ratio (total air volume ratio) is 100%, 94%, 89%, 85%, 82%, 79% for each step of the notch 13.
Are displayed, and in the air volume correspondence table, they are 100% when both the air volume of the leaf blower and the amount of the first coarse kneader 4 called a wide coarse kneader are 100%, and the air volume ratio is appropriately set as follows. Is changing. It should be noted that the value of the air volume of 100% in the leaf cutter 3 and the air volume of 100 in the first rough kneading machine 4
The value of% is not the same, and the value of the first roughing machine 4 is somewhat lower. Then, the output commands and control output values corresponding to the respective stages of the notch 13 have already been correspondingly produced by the respective leaf cutters 3.
The control values preset for the output control of the hot air generator 31 and the hot air generator 41 of the first rough kneading machine 4 are selected.

The present invention has a specific structure as described above. For example, when the tea leaves to be processed are labeled at the stage of being put into each tea making apparatus, the operator looks at them. Select the notch 13. For example, if it is the most brown and if there is rainfall as described above, there is no option other than the first notch, so the first notch is adjusted in advance before the start of processing. When doing so, the leaf-beating machine 3 and the second rough kneading machine 5 are uniquely operated by being supplied with a hot air supply amount of 100%. When the raw tea raw leaves A ₀ having a high water content are processed in this state, the removal of water is promoted, and as shown in the graph of FIG. It will fall within the normal range. Of course, it may be variously changed according to the individuality value of the tea leaf A, but these can be sufficiently handled by the operation of the middle kneading machine 8 and almost several% at the stage of processing the fine kneading machine 9.
It is possible to keep the ideal moisture value (for example, 4%).

In the case of extremely low water content of tea leaves, for example, No. 4 tea, the setting corresponding to the fifth notch is made. When this is done, the air volume ratio is 82 compared to the fully open state.
%, The leaf cutter 3 has an air volume of about 95%, and the first roughing machine 4 has a setting of 80%. As a result, the drying of the tea leaves is less than in the case of 100% air flow, and as a result, as shown in FIG. 9, an ideal water content of almost 100% is obtained at the stage of reaching the middle kneading machine 8. The hot air flow rate is the integrated value of the air flow rate with the operating condition of the burner of the furnace, and if good drying is obtained as a result, control of the air flow rate only, or control of the burner only, or both are used together It does not matter even if it is a thing. However, in practice, the most practical method is to control the control output of the air volume controller 10 by so-called inverter control of the blower drive motor of the hot air generator.

[0024]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, two or more steps in the preceding stage leading to the middle kneading step, which often has a primary effect on the quality of processing of product tea, are considered as one operation. However, since the value of the hot air volume is uniquely determined at the start of processing to a value predetermined according to the tea leaf properties, this naturally causes some variation depending on the individual value of the raw tea leaves. In general, tea leaves can be supplied to the medium kneading process in a processing condition that is generally within the range of acceptable product quality, and finally, until the refinement process is completed, almost ideal processing is possible. Aspects are obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a series of tea manufacturing lines to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the outline of the structure of a steamer.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing the outline of the structure of the leaf cutter.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing the outline of the structure of a first rough kneading machine, a second rough kneading machine, or a filling machine.

FIG. 5 is a front view schematically showing the structure of a kneading machine.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing the outline of the structure of the central kneading machine.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing the outline of the structure of a kneading machine.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a display column of the control panel and an enlarged view of data columns of the first notch and the fifth notch.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the water content in tea leaves and the process time in the tea making process.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Leaf Feeder 2 Steamer 3 Leaf Cutter 4 First Roughing Machine 5 Second Roughing Machine 6 Rubbing Machine 7 Crushing Machine 8 Middle Rubbing Machine 9 Rubbing Machine 10 Air Volume Controller 11 Control Panel 12 Dial 13 Notch 21 Steamer 22 Rotating Body 23 Stirring Shaft 31 Hot Air Generator 32 Leaf Cylinder 33 Drying Hand 34 Stirring Shaft 41 Hot Air Generator 42 Kneading Cylinder 43 Rubbing Hand 44 Sweeping Hand 45 Stirring Shaft 51 Hot Air Generator 52 Kneading Cylinder 61 Crushing Plate 62 Kneading Lid 71 Hot Air Generator 72揉胴73揉手74 recap hand 75 stirring shaft 81 a hot air generator 82 rotates揉胴83揉手84 recap hand 85 stirring shaft 91揉釜92揉手A tea A ₀ raw ChaHara leaf A ₁ product Brown C conveyors

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A tea making machine that performs two or more steps before the middle kneading step in a series of tea making steps including a steaming step, a leaf beating step, a rough kneading step, a kneading step, a middle kneading step, and a fine kneading step. A method of making tea which is characterized in that the value of the hot air supply amount in (1) is uniquely selected at the start of processing to a value that is predetermined according to the tea leaf properties. 2. The step before the middle kneading step is a leaf-beating step and a primary rough kneading step.
The described tea making method. 3. The value of the hot air supply amount is 100 when the state is fully open.
%, The value of the hot air supply amount to be selected is 100% to 70%, and the value can be selected in three or more steps between these values. The described tea making method. 4. A tea making machine group that performs a series of tea making steps including a steaming step, a leaf-beating step, a rough kneading step, a kneading step, a middle kneading step, and a fine kneading step, which comprises two or more steps before the middle kneading step. The tea making machine that performs the process is characterized by including an air volume controller that uniquely selects the value of the hot air supply amount in this one to a predetermined value according to the tea leaf properties at the start of processing. Tea making equipment. 5. The tea making apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the tea making machine that performs the steps before the middle kneading step is a leaf-beating machine and a primary rough kneading machine. 6. The hot air supply controller selects 100% to 70% of the hot air supply amount when the value of the hot air supply amount is 100% when the fully open state is set.
The tea making apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the tea making apparatus can be selected in three or more steps during this period.