WO2023248735A1 - Vapor processing device and method for producing vapor processed product - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a vapor processing device that carries out processing in which a to-be-processed object having fluidity and comprising an aggregate of a plurality of unit objects is exposed to water vapor to change the characteristics of the to-be-processed object, the vapor processing device comprising a processing unit which is a container having an upper portion and a lower portion and in which the to-be-processed object is accommodated to carry out the processing. The processing unit comprises: a to-be-processed object introduction unit that introduces the to-be-processed object into the processing unit from above; a pressure adjustment unit that discharges gas to the outside of the processing unit from above to adjust the internal pressure; a vapor introduction unit that introduces the water vapor into the processing unit from below; and a liquid discharge unit that discharges an internal liquid to the outside of the processing unit from below. In the vapor introduction unit, an outlet portion through which the water vapor is released into the processing unit is provided in a region where the accommodated to-be-processed object is present inside the processing unit.

Description

Steam treatment equipment, manufacturing method of steam treatment products Cross-reference of related applications

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-099026, which is incorporated into the specification of this application by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a steam processing apparatus for steam-processing rice such as steaming, and a method for manufacturing steam-processed products.

In the conventional manufacturing process for processed cooked rice, raw rice is washed and soaked in water, then steamed in a horizontal rice steamer, seasoning liquid etc. (See Reference 1). Also, instead of a horizontal rice steamer, rice was sometimes steamed using a vertical rice steamer, in which soaked rice was input from above and steamed rice was taken out from below.

One issue with this manufacturing process is that it takes a long time to steam the rice in a rice steamer. For example, when steaming soaked rice in a horizontal rice steamer or a vertical rice steamer, steam is introduced under normal pressure. In this case, it is difficult for water vapor to flow inside the accumulated layer of soaked rice housed in the rice steamer, so it was necessary to supply an excessive amount of steam to the rice steamer. In addition, since it is difficult for water vapor to flow inside the deposited layer of soaked rice, it takes about 15 to 20 minutes with a horizontal rice steamer and about 60 minutes with a vertical rice steamer to obtain steamed rice.

Additionally, while the rice is being steamed, rice placed near the steam outlet is more likely to be exposed to steam, while rice placed further away from the steam outlet is less likely to be exposed to steam. For example, when water vapor is supplied from below the conveying surface to a layer of soaked rice that has been supplied to the conveyor surface of a conveyor (conveyor, etc.), it is easier for the steam to hit the upper and lower sides of the rice pile. Since the grain size is different, the degree of gelatinization of the rice will differ partially, and the quality of the steamed rice will not be stable. In addition, even in a vertical rice steamer, the ease with which water vapor hits the upper and lower sides of the rice pile layer is different, and especially when the rice pile layer is thick, the degree of gelatinization of the rice partially differs. This increases the problem of unstable quality of steamed rice.

International Publication No. 00/008986

Therefore, the present invention provides a steam processing apparatus including a cooked rice manufacturing apparatus that can perform steam processing of cooked rice in a short period of time and can improve variations in product quality, and a method for manufacturing steam-processed products. The task is to do so.

The steam treatment apparatus of the present invention includes:
In a steam processing device that performs a process of changing the properties of a fluid object made of an aggregate of multiple units by exposing it to water vapor,
comprising a processing section that is a container that accommodates the object to be processed and performs the processing and has an upper part and a lower part;
The processing unit includes:
a processing object introducing section that introduces the processing object into the processing section from above;
a pressure adjustment unit that adjusts internal pressure by discharging gas from above to the outside of the processing unit;
a steam introduction section that introduces the water vapor into the processing section from below;
a liquid draining section for discharging the internal liquid from below in the processing section to the outside,
In the steam introducing section, an outlet section through which the water vapor is released into the processing section is provided in an area where the accommodated object to be processed is present inside the processing section. do.

Furthermore, in the steam treatment apparatus,
The steam introduction section may be configured with a hollow member that is introduced from above into the processing section and extends downward inside the processing section.

Furthermore, in the steam treatment apparatus,
The steam introduction section may be configured with a hollow member that is introduced from below into the processing section and extends upward inside the processing section.

Furthermore, in the steam treatment apparatus,
The steam introduction section may be provided inside the processing section substantially at the center of a cross section orthogonal to the vertical direction of a region where the accommodated object to be processed exists.

Furthermore, in the steam treatment apparatus,
The processing section may include an auxiliary steam introduction section that introduces water vapor into the interior from a position different from the steam introduction section.

Furthermore, in the steam treatment apparatus,
The auxiliary steam introducing section may be provided on the lower surface of the processing section.

Further, the steam treatment device includes:
The processing section may be provided with a switching means for switching a path for introducing water vapor into the processing section using at least one of the steam introduction section and the auxiliary steam introduction section.

Furthermore, in the steam treatment apparatus,
The steam introduction section serves as either the pressure adjustment section, the liquid drainage section, or an additive liquid introduction section that introduces an additive liquid therein for reforming the object to be treated or accelerating the treatment. You can leave it there.

Furthermore, in the steam treatment apparatus,
The pressure adjustment section may reduce the pressure inside the processing section to below atmospheric pressure after the processing of the processing object is performed and before taking out the processing object from the processing section.

Furthermore, in the steam treatment apparatus,
The processing section may introduce a cleaning liquid into the processing section after taking out the object to be processed.

The method for producing a steam-treated product of the present invention includes:
The method is characterized in that the steam-treated product, which is the object to be treated, which has been subjected to the treatment, is taken out from the treatment section using the steam treatment apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a steam processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the processing section of the steam processing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure in the steam processing apparatus. FIG. 4A is a flow diagram illustrating step S01 of the processing procedure. FIG. 4B is a flow diagram illustrating step S02 of the processing procedure. FIG. 4C is a flow diagram illustrating step S03 of the processing procedure. FIG. 4D is a flow diagram illustrating step S04 of the processing procedure. FIG. 4E is a flow diagram illustrating step S05 of the processing procedure. FIG. 4F is a flow diagram illustrating step S06 of the processing procedure. FIG. 4G is a flow diagram illustrating step S07 of the processing procedure. FIG. 4H is a flow diagram illustrating step S08 of the processing procedure. FIG. 4I is a flow diagram illustrating step S09 of the processing procedure. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the processing section of the steam processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure in the steam processing apparatus. FIG. 7A is a flow diagram illustrating step S01 of the processing procedure. FIG. 7B is a flow diagram illustrating step S02 of the processing procedure. FIG. 7C is a flow diagram illustrating step S03 of the processing procedure. FIG. 7D is a flow diagram illustrating step S04 of the processing procedure. FIG. 7E is a flow diagram illustrating a modification of step S04 of the processing procedure. FIG. 7F is a flow diagram illustrating a modification of step S04 of the processing procedure. FIG. 7G is a flow diagram illustrating step S05 of the processing procedure. FIG. 7H is a flow diagram illustrating step S06 of the processing procedure. FIG. 7I is a flow diagram illustrating step S07 of the processing procedure. FIG. 7J is a flow diagram illustrating step S08 of the processing procedure. FIG. 7K is a flow diagram illustrating step S09 of the processing procedure. FIG. 7L is a flow diagram illustrating step S10 of the processing procedure. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a steam processing apparatus according to a modification. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a steam processing apparatus according to a modification.

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4I. The steam processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a steam processing apparatus that performs a process of changing the characteristics of a fluid object to be treated, which is made up of an aggregate of a plurality of units, by exposing it to water vapor. The steam processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment is a cooked rice manufacturing apparatus that processes (steams) rice as a processing object using steam. In this embodiment, the object to be treated has fluidity itself, but it may also have fluidity by mixing it with a liquid such as water.

As shown in FIG. 1, the steam processing apparatus 1 includes a processing section 2 including a longitudinally elongated cylindrical body 20 extending in the vertical direction. Further, the steam processing apparatus 1 includes peripheral devices such as a vacuum device, a steam supply device, and an air supply device, which are respectively connected to the processing section 2. The steam processing apparatus 1 also includes, as peripheral devices, a dipping device for soaking washed rice in water, a liquid addition facility for storing a liquid (in this embodiment, a seasoning liquid) for modifying the object to be treated, and the like.

The steam processing device 1 also includes a pump P1 that sends the soaked rice from the soaking device to the processing section 2, a pump P2 that sends the seasoning liquid from the liquid addition equipment to the processing section 2, and the like. Further, the steam processing apparatus 1 includes valves V1 to V8 that open and close each flow path connected to the processing section 2. In this embodiment, the steam processing apparatus 1 also includes a control device that controls the operation of each pump P1 and P2, the opening and closing of each valve V1 to V8, and the like. The steam processing apparatus 1 also includes a pressure sensor that detects the pressure inside the processing section 2 and a temperature sensor that detects the temperature inside the processing section 2.

The processing section 2 is a container that accommodates the object to be processed and performs the processing, and has an upper part and a lower part. As shown in FIG. 2, the processing section 2 includes a processing object introduction section 3 that introduces the processing object into the processing section 2 from above, and a processing object introduction section 3 that introduces the processing object into the processing section 2 from above, and a processing object introduction section 3 that introduces the processing object into the processing section 2 from above. A pressure adjustment section 4 that adjusts pressure is provided. Further, the processing section 2 is a steam introduction section 5 that introduces water vapor into the processing section 2 from below, and inside the processing section 2, a steam outlet 50 is provided at a distance from the pressure adjustment section 4 downward. The steam introduction section 5 is provided with a steam introduction section 5. Further, the processing section 2 includes a processing object discharging section 6 located on the lower side and discharging the processed object to the outside.

In the steam processing apparatus 1 described above, the object to be processed is processed while directing the steam from the steam outlet 50 of the steam introduction section 5 located below to the pressure adjustment section 4 (the exit of steam in the processing section 2) located above. can. Therefore, the object to be processed can be exposed to the water vapor rising inside the processing section 2. Therefore, it is possible to process even a structure in which a large amount of objects to be processed (soaked rice) are accumulated in the processing section 2, and variations in processing are less likely to occur. Therefore, for example, the problem of variations in product quality that conventional cooked rice manufacturing apparatuses have can be solved. Furthermore, since the object to be processed can be exposed to the steam rising inside the processing section 2, the steaming time can be shortened from about 60 minutes in a conventional vertical rice steamer to about 10 minutes.

In addition, because conventional vertical and horizontal steam processing equipment have complicated structures, it takes a lot of effort to clean them because steamed rice adheres to the drive part, punching metal, net, angles under the processing, etc. On the other hand, this steam processing apparatus 1 has a simple structure, so after taking out the object to be processed, the cleaning liquid (water, hot water, chemical solution, etc.) is put inside the processing section (soaking or stirring). Since it can be easily cleaned while performing other cleaning operations, cleaning performance and hygiene can be improved.

Furthermore, conventional horizontal rice steamers steam rice by steaming it under normal pressure from below while moving the rice soaked on a punched metal or net to a thickness of about 20 mm to 150 mm. Therefore, for example, it took about 20 minutes to process raw rice with a thickness of about 70 mm. Furthermore, even in a conventional vertical steamer, steam is introduced from the bottom of the rice at normal pressure to steam the rice. Therefore, it took about 60 minutes to process raw rice with a thickness of about 1000 mm. This steam processing apparatus 1 can steam the object to be processed in a short time. Therefore, it is possible to solve the problem of poor measurement accuracy in a weighing and filling device that weighs rice sent from a receiving device that receives steam-treated rice and fills it into a container.

In addition, in conventional rice steamers, while the rice is being steamed, rice placed near the steam outlet is easily exposed to steam, while rice placed further away from the steam outlet is less likely to be exposed to steam. , the degree of gelatinization of the rice differs partially, which caused the problem that the quality of the steamed rice was unstable. This problem becomes more pronounced as the treatment time increases, as the above-described difference in the ease of contact with water vapor continues for a longer period of time. On the other hand, in this steam processing apparatus 1, the processing time is short, and the rice that is far from the steam outlet is exposed to steam as well as the rice that is close to the steam outlet. Therefore, temperature unevenness is less likely to occur in the rice, the difference in the degree of gelatinization of the rice is reduced, and the above-mentioned problem is less likely to occur.

Additionally, when using a vertical or horizontal rice steamer, a steamer and seasoning liquid adding device were required, respectively. In this steam processing apparatus 1, since steaming and addition of seasoning liquid can be performed in the same apparatus, the number of processing apparatuses can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, the processing section 2 includes an air introduction section 7 that is located above the processing section 2 and introduces air into the interior. Further, the processing section 2 includes a liquid drain section 8 located below the processing section 2 and discharging the internal liquid from below the processing section 2 to the outside. Further, the processing unit 2 includes an upper lid 21 that closes the opening of the vertically long cylindrical body 20 above the vertically long cylindrical body 20 and a top lid 21 that closes the opening of the vertically long cylindrical body 20 below the vertically long cylindrical body 20. A lower lid 22 is provided. This processing section 2 is a portion between an upper lid 21 and a lower lid 22. In this embodiment, flanges are formed on the upper and lower sides of the vertically elongated cylindrical body 20, the lower side of the upper lid 21, and the upper side of the lower lid 22, respectively. Further, the processing section 2 includes a ventilation section 9 located on the upper side and capable of ventilating the outside and the inside, and a fluid introduction section 10 located on the upper side and introducing a fluid into the inside for pushing out the object to be processed.

The vertically elongated cylindrical body 20 is located between the pressure adjustment unit 4 and a nest plate (described later) provided on the upper surface of the lower lid 22, and includes a processing region 200 where the object to be processed is steam-processed. . In this embodiment, the vertically elongated cylindrical body 20 has a cylindrical shape with at least the inner cross-sectional shape of a perfect circle, but it may have a shape other than a cylindrical shape, such as a rectangular tube shape. Moreover, the cross-sectional shape of the vertically long cylindrical body 20 is constant, and the cross-sectional area of the vertically long cylindrical body 20 is constant. The elongated cylindrical body 20, the upper lid 21, and the lower lid 22 constitute a container that can be depressurized and pressurized. It should be noted that the inner surface of the vertically long cylindrical body 20 is less likely to have objects to be processed (for example, rice) attached to it if it is not mirror-finished. It is possible to reduce the adhesion of objects to be processed later (for example, rice).

The processing object introduction part 3 is connected to the immersion device via the valve V1 (see FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the processing object introduction part 3 is located on the upper side, specifically, on the upper lid 21 (see FIG. 2). In addition, by opening the valve V1 located between the processing object introduction section 3 and the immersion device, the vertically elongated cylindrical body 20 is immersed in the water contained in the immersion device and water from the processing object introduction section 3. The rice is then added.

The drain section 8 is located below the processing section 2. Furthermore, the drain portion 8 is connected to a drain path via a valve V3 (see FIG. 1). Moreover, by opening the valve V3 located between the liquid draining part 8 and the liquid draining path, the liquid draining part 8 discharges the liquid stored in the processing part 2 to the outside when opened. Note that the drain section 8 has a structure that prevents the object to be treated (for example, rice) from being discharged to the outside. Specifically, a nest board is provided on the upper surface of the lower lid 22, and the object to be treated (for example, rice grains) remains on the nest board, and only water is discharged.

The pressure regulator 4 is connected to a vacuum device via a valve V4. In addition, by opening the valve V4 located between the pressure adjustment section 4 and the vacuum device and operating the vacuum device, the pressure adjustment section 4 discharges the gas from the processing section 2 to the outside. The pressure inside section 2 is adjusted (specifically, the pressure is reduced). The vacuum device includes, for example, a heat exchanger and a vacuum pump. Specifically, the pressure regulator 4 is connected to the primary side of the heat exchanger via the valve V4, and the secondary side of the heat exchanger is connected to a vacuum pump. Note that the gas discharged from the pressure adjustment section 4 is, for example, air that originally existed in the processing section 2 or a mixture of this air and water vapor introduced from the steam introduction section 5.

The steam introduction section 5 is connected to a steam supply device via a valve V5. In addition, the steam introduction section 5 introduces water vapor into the processing section 2 by opening the valve V5 located between the steam introduction section 5 and the steam supply device and operating the steam supply device. In this embodiment, the steam introduction section 5 is a hollow member (for example, a pipe) that is introduced into the processing section 2 from above and extends downward inside the processing section 2 (see FIG. 2). A steam outlet 50 is provided below the steam introduction section 5. Therefore, in this steam processing apparatus 1, the configuration of the lower side of the processing section 2 can be simplified.

This pipe extends linearly along the cylindrical axis of the longitudinally elongated cylindrical body 20 of the processing section 2. Note that this pipe may extend obliquely to the cylinder axis of the vertically long cylindrical body 20, or may extend in a curved shape. Since the pipe extends linearly, rice, which is the object to be processed, is less likely to get caught inside the processing section 2. Moreover, although this pipe is cylindrical, it may be cylindrical in a different shape, such as a rectangular cylindrical shape. Furthermore, the diameter of this pipe is approximately uniform, but may be non-uniform. In this embodiment, the pipe is arranged at the center (near the cylinder axis) of the vertically long cylindrical body 20 in the radial direction. Further, the lower part of the pipe is located above the lower end edge of the vertically long cylindrical body 20 and below the center position of the vertically long cylindrical body 20 in the vertical direction.

In the processing section 2 of this embodiment, the upper end edge of the processing region 200 is defined as coinciding with the boundary between the upper flange of the vertically elongated cylindrical body 20 and the flange of the upper lid 21. Note that it is permissible for the object to be processed to be located above (protrude from) the upper edge of the processing area 200. On the other hand, the lower edge of the processing area 200 coincides with a nest plate provided at the connection between the lower flange of the vertically elongated cylindrical body 20 and the flange of the lower lid 22.

The steam outlet 50 includes, for example, an opening on the lower end side of the pipe and a through hole provided on the circumferential surface of the pipe. A plurality of through holes provided on the circumferential surface of the pipe are provided below the steam introduction section 5, for example, in an area from the bottom surface of the processing section 2 to a position approximately 1/3 higher than the vertical dimension. . The plurality of through holes are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the pipe and penetrate in the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, the plurality of through-holes lined up along the circumferential direction of the pipe are arranged only once, but the plurality of through-holes lined up along the circumferential direction of the pipe are lined up and down for multiple turns. may be placed. Further, the plurality of through holes are located within the processing region 200. By providing a through hole in the circumferential surface of the pipe, water vapor is sent horizontally from the pipe, and then the water vapor escapes upward, allowing the object to be processed to be processed uniformly.

Note that only one steam outlet 50 may be provided in the steam introduction section 5. That is, the steam outlet 50 may be only an opening on the lower end side (end surface) of the pipe, or only one through hole provided in the circumferential surface of the pipe.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, under the control of the control device, when steam is introduced into the processing section 2 by the steam introducing section 5, the pressure is reduced by the pressure adjusting section 4 at the same time. In this steam processing apparatus 1, by introducing water vapor into the processing section 2 in a reduced pressure state, it is possible to actively generate a flow of water vapor toward the pressure adjustment section 4 within the processing section 2.

Further, the steam introduction section 5 also serves as a liquid introduction section that introduces a liquid (seasoning liquid in this embodiment) for modifying the object to be treated. In the present embodiment, the steam introduction section 5 is connected to a pipe connected to the steam supply device via the valve V5 and a pipe connected to the liquid addition device via the valve V7. is switchably connected to. In this case, although it is no longer possible to introduce water vapor and liquid into the processing section 2 at the same time, by doing so in this way, the configuration can be simplified. Note that the liquid for modifying the object to be treated may be a liquid other than the seasoning liquid.

In addition, for example, in the conventional configuration in which rice steamed in a vertical or horizontal rice steamer is transferred to a seasoning liquid adding device and then seasoning liquid is added, the seasoning liquid is added from above while stirring the steamed rice with a stirring blade. Sometimes it was sprayed. In this configuration, a gap is provided between the stirring blade and the conveyor net so that the stirring blade does not come into contact with the conveyor net. As a result, especially when adding a seasoning liquid to a conventional horizontal rice steamer, since the seasoning liquid is added multiple times, the seasoning liquid that has not been absorbed into the steamed rice may accumulate in the gaps. In this conventional configuration, the steamed rice located at the bottom of the rice steamer absorbs excess seasoning liquid, so the moisture content of the steamed rice located at the bottom increases and the degree of swelling increases. In this way, steamed rice with different degrees of processing is filled into containers, resulting in variations in product quality. On the other hand, in the steam processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the seasoning liquid is introduced from the steam introduction part 5, so the seasoning liquid is not absorbed unevenly in a part of the steamed rice, resulting in variations in product quality. is less likely to occur. Moreover, in the steam processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the seasoning liquid may be added once, for example, in a state where the steamed rice is placed on the nesting board in the processing section 2. With this configuration, excess seasoning liquid falls below the nest plate and does not remain above the nest plate, so the seasoning liquid is not absorbed unevenly in a part of the steamed rice, resulting in uneven product quality. is less likely to occur.

Furthermore, in the conventional configuration, by transferring the steamed rice to the seasoning liquid addition device and then adding the seasoning liquid, the processed rice after adding the seasoning liquid becomes seasoned over time in the seasoning liquid addition device. As impregnation with the liquid progresses and swelling occurs, the bulk specific gravity increases. Furthermore, after the seasoning liquid has been added, the processed rice loses starch and becomes sticky over time. Therefore, in a conventional weighing and filling device that weighs and fills processed rice in the process after adding seasoning liquid, rice adheres to the parts of the weighing and filling device and rice sticks to each other, which affects the fluidity of processed rice and the weighing and filling process. Causes a decrease in accuracy. Furthermore, the number of parts replacement and cleaning of the weighing and filling device increases, reducing production efficiency. On the other hand, in this steam processing apparatus 1, the seasoning liquid is added to the steamed rice by introducing the seasoning liquid into the processing part 2 from the steam introduction part 5, so the time for adding the seasoning liquid can be shortened, and the processed rice Since there is no need to transfer the fluidity of the seasoning liquid, the time for adding the seasoning liquid is shortened, and rice is less likely to adhere to the parts in the processing section 2, so that a decrease in production efficiency is less likely to occur.

The air introduction section 7 is connected to an air supply device having a compressor or the like via a valve V2 (see FIG. 1). Further, the air introduction section 7 introduces air into the processing section 2 by opening the valve V2 between the air introduction section 7 and the air supply device and activating the air supply device.

The fluid introduction section 10 is connected to the liquid addition equipment via the valve V7. In this embodiment, the fluid introduced into the processing section 2 from the fluid introduction section 10 is an additive liquid for modifying the object to be processed or accelerating the processing. The liquid for modifying the object to be treated is, for example, a liquid containing a seasoning liquid or a pH adjuster. The added liquid for accelerating the processing is, for example, water for transitioning from steaming to cooking (this is also a form of accelerating the processing if we focus on changing the rice structure with moisture). . That is, the fluid introduction part 10 is an additive liquid introduction part that introduces an additive liquid for modifying the object to be treated or for accelerating the treatment. Further, the seasoning liquid is introduced into the fluid introduction section 10 by opening the valve V7 between the fluid introduction section 10 and the liquid addition equipment and operating the pump P2. At this time, the valve V6 provided in the ventilation section 9 is opened.

The processing object discharge section 6 is connected to a receiving device having a container or the like. In this embodiment, the processing object discharge section 6 is an opening on the lower end side of the vertically elongated cylindrical body 20 of the processing section 2 (see FIG. 2). Furthermore, by opening the lower lid 22, the processing object discharge section 6 discharges the steam-treated processing object (for example, rice) to the outside of the processing section 2, and sends it to the receiving device. In this embodiment, the flange of the lower lid 22 and the lower side of the vertically elongated cylindrical body 20 are fixed by a member that rotates and fixes them, such as a hinge. Can be opened. Note that the portions other than the portions fixed by the hinges or the like may be fixed with bolts, clamps, or the like, or the lower cover 22 may be configured to be pressed with a hydraulic cylinder or the like.

The ventilation section 9 is provided in the upper lid 21, for example. By opening the valve V6 provided in the ventilation section 9, the inside of the processing section 2 communicates with the outside.

Hereinafter, the procedure for processing the object to be processed by the steam processing apparatus 1 will be explained using FIGS. 3 to 4I. This processing procedure may include at least a process of receiving the object to be treated (step S01), a temperature raising process (step S04), a steaming process (step S05), and a discharging process (step S09). Note that the processing of objects to be processed by the steam processing apparatus 1 is a batch process in which a certain amount of objects to be processed is processed at one time. If the processing time is long, the object to be processed may change in quality, but in this batch processing, a certain amount of object to be processed according to the internal volume of the vertically long cylindrical body 20 is batch-processed in a short time. Since the objects to be processed are then discharged, variations in quality of the objects to be processed can be suppressed.

In the processing procedure of this embodiment, first, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 2, the processing unit 2 receives rice soaked in water by a soaking device as a processing object (step S01). Specifically, rice stored in a rice storage facility is washed using a rice washing machine, and the washed rice is soaked in water using a soaking device. Furthermore, the soaked rice from the soaking device is introduced into the processing section 2 from the processing object introducing section 3 along with water. In this embodiment, in order to prevent the rice from cracking, the valve V3 is kept closed until a certain amount of rice has accumulated in the processing section 2. However, once a certain amount of rice has accumulated in the processing section 2, the valve V3 is opened. and drain the water. Note that during step S01, the valve V3 may be opened at all times to drain water.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4B and FIG. 2, water is discharged from inside the processing section 2 (step S02). Specifically, the valve V2 between the air introduction section 7 and the air supply device is opened to introduce air into the processing section 2, and the valve V3 between the drain section 8 and the drain path is opened. By opening , water is discharged from the processing section 2 via the drain section 8 . At this time, water in the processing section 2 is pushed downward by air supplied from above the vertically long cylindrical body 20. Thereby, the rice in the processing section 2 can be drained. When the discharge of water from the processing section 2 is completed, the valve V2 between the air introduction section 7 and the air supply device and the valve V3 between the liquid drainage section 8 and the liquid drainage path are respectively closed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4C and FIG. 2, the gas inside the processing section 2 is discharged to the outside to reduce the internal pressure (step S03). Specifically, the pressure inside the processing section 2 is reduced by opening the valve V4 between the pressure adjustment section 4 and the vacuum device and evacuating the processing section 2 via the pressure adjustment section 4. conduct. Further, the pressure inside the vertically elongated cylindrical body 20 during depressurization may be at most atmospheric pressure, but when the temperature inside the processing section 2 is increased (step S04), the flow of steam within the processing section 2 is formed. -90 kPa to -30 kPa is preferable because the pressure is more likely to be reduced.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4D and FIG. 2, the temperature inside the processing section 2 is increased (step S04). Specifically, water vapor is introduced into the processing section 2 from the steam introduction section 5 under reduced pressure. At this time, water vapor is introduced into the processing section 2 from the steam introduction section 5 by opening the valve V5 between the steam introduction section 5 and the steam supply device. In this way, by introducing water vapor into the processing section 2 in a reduced pressure state, the pressure difference between the vicinity of the pressure adjustment section 4 and the vicinity of the steam outlet 50 of the processing section 2 increases. For this reason, water vapor does not remain partially in the processing section 2, and as a result, it is possible to suppress temperature changes in the vertical direction. At this time, the vacuum device is stopped, so by introducing water vapor into the processing section 2, if the object to be processed is rice, the rice is exposed to high temperature water vapor and becomes pressurized. This not only improves the sweetness and gloss of the rice, but also increases its elasticity and texture. In addition, in this embodiment, since the steam flows upward from the steam outlet 50 provided on the lower side of the steam introduction part 5, the steam evenly spreads over the rice stuck in the vertically long cylindrical body 20. . Note that when valve V4 is opened with the vacuum pump stopped, high-temperature air containing water vapor in the processing section 2 is discharged indoors via valve V4, but since it is dehumidified by the heat exchanger, The increase in humidity can be suppressed.

The temperature of the water vapor introduced into the processing section 2 is, for example, about 90°C to 120°C. When the temperature rise of the processing section 2 is completed (in this embodiment, when the temperature inside the processing section 2 reaches the set value), evacuation is started and the inside of the processing section 2 is raised as shown in FIGS. 4E and 2. The rice is steamed (step S05).

Specifically, when steaming rice, while vacuuming the processing section 2, the steam supply device is kept operating with the valve V5 between the steam introduction section 5 and the steam supply device open; Steam is introduced into the processing section 2 from the steam introduction section 5. By performing vacuuming, the flow of steam within the processing section 2 can be increased when steaming rice. The operating state of such a vacuum pump may be adjusted by a control device. When the steaming is completed (in this embodiment, after the predetermined time for steaming has elapsed), the valve V5 between the steam introduction section 5 and the steam supply device is closed, and the steam is released into the processing section 2. Stop the installation. In this embodiment, since steaming is performed with the valve V4 between the pressure regulator 4 and the vacuum device open, the air containing water vapor that overflows from the vertically long cylindrical body 20 is dehumidified by the heat exchanger. Therefore, the surrounding work environment does not become hot and humid, making it possible to realize a comfortable work environment. In addition, in the temperature raising and steaming steps, only water vapor is introduced into the processing section 2, and no liquid such as water is introduced.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4F and FIG. 2, the inside of the processing section 2 is vacuum cooled (step S06). In this embodiment, after lowering the pressure within the processing section 2, vacuum cooling within the processing section 2 is performed. While the introduction of water vapor into the processing section 2 is stopped, the inside of the processing section 2 is cooled as the processing section 2 is evacuated via the pressure adjustment section 4 . By cooling the rice after steaming, the rice becomes firm. When vacuum cooling is completed (in this embodiment, when the target temperature for vacuum cooling is reached), evacuation is stopped. In addition, since the rice becomes firm due to vacuum cooling, the measurement accuracy improves when the steamed rice is later weighed using a weighing machine.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4G and FIG. 2, the processing section 2 is filled and impregnated with a seasoning liquid (step S07). It is preferable to fill and impregnate the seasoning liquid while applying a vacuum, as this makes it easier to fill and impregnate the seasoning liquid. Note that the filling and impregnation with the seasoning liquid may be performed while the vacuuming of the processing section 2 is stopped. In this case, the valve V7 between the steam introduction section 5 and the liquid addition equipment is opened, and the seasoning liquid is introduced into the processing section 2 from the steam introduction section 5. In this embodiment, the seasoning liquid is continuously introduced into the processing section 2 from the start to the completion of introduction of the seasoning liquid into the processing section 2, and the evacuation of the processing section 2 is stopped. At this time, the valve V6 provided in the ventilation section 9 is left open. Further, if there is no need to fill the object to be treated with the seasoning liquid, this step may not be performed. In the configuration in which the seasoning liquid is introduced into the processing section 2 from the steam introduction section 5, it is sufficient to use enough seasoning liquid to fill the inside of the processing section 2. Therefore, the amount of seasoning liquid used can be reduced compared to the configuration in which the seasoning liquid is sprayed onto the object to be processed outside the processing section 2. By vacuum cooling steamed rice, water on the surface of the rice evaporates and the rice is cooled. By lowering the temperature of the rice, the rice becomes firmer. By adding the seasoning liquid to this firm rice, it is possible to impregnate the rice with the seasoning liquid while suppressing starch leakage.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4H and FIG. 2, the inside of the processing section 2 is opened to atmospheric pressure (step S08). Specifically, by opening the valve V6 provided in the ventilation section 9, the inside and outside of the processing section 2 are communicated with each other. In this embodiment, since vacuum cooling is performed before the step of opening to the atmosphere, it is possible to prevent high-temperature water vapor from leaking to the outside during the opening to the atmosphere.

Further, after closing the valve V6 provided in the ventilation section 9, as shown in FIGS. 4I and 2, the steamed rice is discharged from the processing section 2 together with the seasoning liquid (step S09). In this embodiment, by opening the valve V8 between the fluid introduction section 10 and the liquid addition equipment and operating the pump P2, liquid such as seasoning liquid is introduced into the processing section 2, and the lower lid 22 is opened. It is opened and the rice is pushed out from the opened processing object discharge section 6. Note that the rice may be discharged by simply opening the valve V6, which is an air introduction valve, and opening the lower lid 22, and the rice may be discharged by its own weight. Further, the rice may be discharged by opening the valve V2 between the air introduction section 7 and the air supply device and opening the lower lid 22 while the air supply device is operated. After discharging the rice is completed, the lower lid 22 is closed and the processing section 2 is cleaned (step S10).

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7L. In the steam introduction section 5, as shown in FIG. located in the area. Specifically, the steam outlet 50 is provided at a position slightly above the bottom surface of the processing section 2 and buried in the object to be processed. For this reason, the steam outlet 50 is surrounded by the object to be processed housed in the processing section 2, and the water vapor released from the steam outlet 50 directly hits the object to be processed.

By the way, assuming a comparative example in which water vapor is introduced from the lower side of the processing section 2 in a steam processing apparatus, in this steam processing apparatus, the distance between the steam outlet and the top surface of the object to be processed is large, There were cases where the temperature of the upper surface of the object was difficult to rise. Therefore, in this comparative example, there was a problem in that processing residues (for example, steaming residues in the case of steaming the object to be treated, and cooking residues in the case of cooking rice) were likely to occur. On the other hand, in this steam processing apparatus 1, the steam outlet 50 (in this embodiment, the opening on the lower end side of the pipe and the through hole provided on the circumferential surface of the pipe) is inside the object to be treated. The distance between the steam outlet 50 and the upper surface of the object to be treated can be made closer than in the comparative example. Therefore, in the steam processing apparatus 1, the temperature on the upper surface side of the object to be processed tends to rise, and it is difficult for residual processing (for example, uncooked food) to occur. Further, since the distance between the steam outlet 50 (in this embodiment, the opening on the lower end side of the pipe and the through hole provided on the circumferential surface of the pipe) and the bottom surface of the object to be treated is short, the lower side of the steam outlet 50 It is also easy to introduce water vapor.

Furthermore, in this steam processing apparatus 1, the steam introduction section 5 is constituted by a hollow member that is introduced into the processing section 2 from above and extends downward inside the processing section 2. Therefore, when the object to be processed is taken out from the bottom surface of the processing section 2, the steam introduction section 5 does not get in the way. In this embodiment, the steam introduction section 5 is a straight pipe extending in the vertical direction. In this pipe, a steam outlet 50 (a through hole provided in the circumferential surface of the pipe) is provided in an area from the bottom of the processing section 2 to a position that is about 1/3 of the vertical dimension of the processing section 2, for example. It is being

Note that the hollow member constituting the steam introduction section 5 is not limited to a straight pipe extending in the vertical direction, and may be a member of other shapes as long as it can suitably introduce water vapor into the processing section 2. . For example, the hollow member may be a cross-shaped pipe extending vertically and horizontally. Further, the hollow member may have a space inside and a steam outlet 50, and may have a rectangular plate shape, a disk shape, etc., which is smaller in thickness than the vertical dimension of the processing section 2.

In the present embodiment, the steam introduction section 5 is provided inside the processing section 2 at the substantial center of a cross section perpendicular to the vertical direction of the area where the accommodated processing target exists. The term "substantial center" includes a deviation in the horizontal direction (for example, radial direction) that is unavoidable in design or manufacturing with respect to the geometric center. Thereby, water vapor can be uniformly introduced into the processing section 2 using one steam introduction section 5. This arrangement is particularly effective when the processing section 2 has a vertically long shape.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the processing section 2 includes an auxiliary steam introduction section 11 that introduces water vapor into the interior from a position different from the steam introduction section 5. The auxiliary steam introduction section 11 is provided on the lower surface of the processing section 2. Specifically, the auxiliary steam introducing section 11 is provided on the entire lower surface of the processing section 2 . In particular, when introducing steam into the processing section 2 from a hollow member extending downward from above like this steam introduction section 5, the lower side of the processing section 2 and the steam outlet (steam outlet of the steam introduction section 5) 50), it is preferable to arrange the auxiliary steam introduction part 11 on the lower surface of the processing part 2 because it may be difficult to introduce water vapor into a part away from the processing part 2. In such a configuration, the auxiliary steam introducing section 11 can introduce steam into places where steam is difficult to introduce (in the case of rice cooking, uncooked rice is likely to occur), so that the remaining water to be processed (in the case of rice cooking, uncooked rice is likely to occur). (uncooked food) is less likely to occur.

The introduction of water vapor from the steam introduction part 5 and the introduction of water vapor from the auxiliary steam introduction part 11 may be carried out at the same time, or may be carried out with a time difference in introduction timing. The flow rate of water vapor from the steam introduction section 5 and the flow rate of water vapor from the auxiliary steam introduction section 11 can be set as appropriate.

The auxiliary steam introduction section 11 may be provided on the upper surface of the vertically long cylindrical body 20 such as the upper lid 21 in addition to or instead of the lower surface of the processing section 2, or It may also be provided on the side of the body 20.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7E and 7F, the path using at least one of the steam introduction section 5 and the auxiliary steam introduction section 11 is used to switch the path for introducing water vapor into the processing section 2. Means 12 are provided. That is, the switching means 12 has a path for introducing water vapor into the processing section 2 only through the steam introduction section 5, a path for introducing water vapor into the processing section 2 only through the auxiliary steam introduction section 11, and a path for introducing water vapor into the processing section 2 using only the auxiliary steam introduction section 11. and the auxiliary steam introduction section 11, at least two routes are switched. The switching means 12 allows steam to be introduced in a concentrated manner to areas that are difficult to treat (where uncooked food is likely to occur), thereby making it difficult for unprocessed food to occur (uncooked food). Specifically, the switching means 12 includes a valve V5 between the steam introduction section 5 and the steam supply device, and a valve V10 between the auxiliary steam introduction section 11 and the steam supply device.

Furthermore, this steam processing apparatus 1 is equipped with an additive liquid introduction part 10 that introduces an additive liquid into the interior for modifying the object to be treated or for accelerating the treatment (see FIG. 5). Therefore, before the processing object is taken out from the processing section 2, the processing object can be modified or the processing can be accelerated by the additive liquid introduced from the additive liquid introducing section 10.

In the additive liquid introducing section 10, a liquid outlet 100, which is an outlet section through which the additive liquid is discharged into the processing section 2, is provided in a region inside the processing section 2 where the accommodated object to be processed exists. There is. If the liquid is supplied from the side or bottom of the processing section 2, the objects to be processed (for example, rice) will be clogged to the extent that there are almost no gaps between the objects, and the areas where the added liquid will not reach will be affected. There are things you can do. On the other hand, if the added liquid is introduced from the region where the object to be treated is present, the dispersion of the added liquid is promoted and it becomes possible to spread the liquid throughout the entire object to be treated. This ensures that the entire object to be treated is impregnated with the additive liquid.

A liquid outlet 100, which is an outlet in the added liquid introducing section 10, is provided inside the processing section 2 at the lower part of the region where the accommodated object to be processed exists. Therefore, since the additive liquid can be introduced from the lower side inside the processing section 2, the additive liquid can be easily distributed. Note that the additive liquid also functions as a lubricant to prevent adhesion to the inner circumferential surface of the processing section 2 when the processed object (for example, cooked rice) is taken out after processing.

The additive liquid introducing section 10 is provided inside the processing section 2 at the substantial center of a cross section orthogonal to the vertical direction of the area where the accommodated processing target exists. Therefore, the additive liquid introducing section 10 can uniformly introduce the additive liquid into the processing section 2. This arrangement is particularly effective when the processing section 2 has a vertically long shape.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the steam introduction section 5 also serves as any one of the pressure adjustment section 4, the liquid drainage section 8, and the added liquid introduction section 10. In this case, for example, by branching and converging the piping and switching a valve provided in the middle of the piping, fluid other than the steam to be introduced can be made to flow into the steam introduction section 5. In this way, the steam introduction section 5 also serves as a drainage system and a liquid introduction system, thereby simplifying the configuration of the steam treatment apparatus 1.

In the present embodiment, the added liquid introduction section 10 also serves as any one of the pressure adjustment section 4, the steam introduction section 5, and the liquid drainage section 8. In this case, for example, by branching and converging the piping and switching a valve provided in the middle of the piping, fluid other than the additive liquid can flow into the additive liquid introduction section 10. According to this configuration, the additional liquid introduction section 10 also serves as a drainage system and a steam introduction system, thereby simplifying the configuration of the steam treatment apparatus 1.

Specifically, the steam introduction section 5 also serves as the additive liquid introduction section 10.

In this embodiment, the liquid drain section 8 also serves as the auxiliary steam introduction section 11. Note that the auxiliary steam introduction section 11 may be provided separately from the drain section 8. For example, in the processing section 2, an opening on the lower end side of the vertically long cylindrical body 20, which is opened and closed by the lower lid 22, may be used as the auxiliary steam introducing section 11. Even in this case, it may be difficult for steam to be introduced by the auxiliary steam introduction section 11 using the steam introduction section 5 alone (uncooked food may easily occur). On the other hand, since the auxiliary steam introducing section 11 can introduce steam to the lower side of the object to be processed in the processing section 2, residual processing (uncooked food) is less likely to occur.

Hereinafter, the procedure for processing the object to be processed by the steam processing apparatus 1 will be explained using FIGS. 6 to 7L. First, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 6, the processing section 2 receives a liquid that promotes processing as an additive liquid together with the object to be processed. (Step S01). Specifically, the processing section 2 receives water as an added liquid along with rice soaked in water using a soaking device. At this time, for example, by opening the valve V6, which is an air introduction valve, the inside and outside of the processing section 2 are communicated with each other.

Note that the additive liquid may be introduced by the additive liquid introducing section 10 before the processing target is processed. In this way, when the object to be treated is rice, by making the uncooked rice absorb water, which is a liquid that promotes the treatment, as an added liquid, it becomes easier to process it with steam (for example, steaming). In this case, the rice can be soaked in the steaming processing section 2, so a soaking tank or the like is not required. In addition, conventionally, after washing the rice, it was necessary to transfer the washed rice to a tank for soaking, etc., and then transfer the object to be processed to the processing section 2 for steaming. This can be handled by moving the object to be processed to the processing section 2 for use. In other words, the process of transferring washed rice to a soaking tank or the like can also be reduced.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 7B and 6, water is discharged from the processing section 2 (step S02), and as shown in FIG. 7C and FIG. 6, the gas inside the processing section 2 is discharged to the outside. The pressure is reduced (for example, vacuuming is performed, step S03). Note that in FIG. 7B, the water in the processing section 2 is pushed downward by the air supplied from the air supply device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, air may be introduced into the processing section 2 by opening the valve V6, which is an air introduction valve, and the water within the processing section 2 may flow downward.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 7D and 6, the valve V5 between the steam introduction section 5 and the steam supply device is always open, and the valve V10 between the auxiliary steam introduction section 11 and the steam supply device is always open. By maintaining this state, the temperature inside the processing section 2 is raised (step S04). In this case, steam can be supplied from both the steam introduction section 5 and the auxiliary steam introduction section 11. Further, in this case, there is no need to switch the air outlets, which will be described later, and the same effect as when switching the air outlets can be obtained with simple control.

Note that the steam outlet may be switched when the steam is supplied from the steam supply device. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7E and 7F, when steam is supplied from the steam supply device, the valve V5 between the steam introduction section 5 and the steam supply device opens, and the auxiliary steam introduction section 11 and the steam supply After the valve V10 between the steam introduction section 5 and the steam supply device is kept closed for a certain period of time (FIG. 7E), the valve V5 between the steam introduction section 5 and the steam supply device is closed, and the connection between the auxiliary steam introduction section 11 and the steam supply device is closed. The valve V10 in between may be switched to an open state (FIG. 7F).

Further, when steam is supplied from the steam supply device, the valve V5 between the steam introduction section 5 and the steam supply device is opened, and the valve V10 between the auxiliary steam introduction section 11 and the steam supply device is closed. (FIG. 7E) and a state (FIG. 7F) in which the valve V5 between the steam introduction section 5 and the steam supply device is closed and the valve V10 between the auxiliary steam introduction section 11 and the steam supply device is open (FIG. 7F). May be repeated.

In this way, by supplying steam from both the steam introduction section 5 and the auxiliary steam introduction section 11, it is possible to prevent residual water vapor from being left over from the process (for example, uncooked food).

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 7G and 6, rice is cooked in the processing unit 2 (step S05). Specifically, the additive liquid introducing section 10 introduces the additive liquid (water or warm water) while the object to be treated is being processed. More specifically, the process of introducing water vapor by the steam introduction part 5 or the auxiliary steam introduction part 11, such as in FIG. 7D, and the process of introducing the added liquid by the added liquid introduction part 10, shown in FIG. 7G, are repeated alternately. When introducing the additive liquid, it is necessary to release the pressure inside the processing section 2, so for example, by opening the valve V6, which is an air introduction valve, the inside and outside of the processing section 2 are communicated. However, by opening the valve V4 located between the pressure adjustment section 4 and the vacuum device and operating the vacuum device, the pressure adjustment section 4 adjusts the pressure inside the processing section 2 (specifically, (depressurization) may be performed. By adjusting the pressure using the vacuum device, the pressure inside the processing section 2 can be released without releasing steam to the surroundings of the steam processing device 1.

Also, instead of repeating alternately the process of introducing steam by the steam introducing part 5 and the auxiliary steam introducing part 11 and the process of introducing the added liquid during steaming, the steam introducing part 5 and the auxiliary steam introducing part shown in FIG. 11, and after stopping once, the process of introducing the added liquid in FIG. 7G is performed, and then the process of introducing water vapor again by the steam introduction part 5 or the auxiliary steam introduction part 11 as shown in FIG. 7D etc. You may do so. Such processing is useful when the steam introduction means (steam introduction section 5 or additive liquid introduction section 10) also serves as the additive liquid introduction section 10.

Note that during the treatment with steam (during steaming), while the additive liquid introducing section 10 is introducing the added liquid, the steam introducing section 5 or the auxiliary steam introducing section 11 may be introducing the steam. If during steaming, the process of introducing water vapor is performed while the process of introducing the additive liquid is performed, for example, after the process of introducing the additive liquid is completed, it is sufficient to continue to introduce only the steam into the processing section 2. . Such processing is carried out when the steam introduction means (steam introduction section 5 and additive liquid introduction section 10) and the additive liquid introduction section 10 have different configurations, or when there are multiple steam introduction means and this vapor introduction This is useful when at least one of the means also serves as the additive liquid introduction section 10. In this case, it is possible that the temperature of the object to be processed decreases, but in this case, the temperature raising process of step S04 may be performed again.

"Steaming" can be changed to "cooking" by the addition liquid introducing section 10 introducing (supplying) water as a liquid that promotes the process. In this way, when water is supplied during processing, rice cooking is carried out as a process, and when water is not supplied during processing (when the amount of water supplied is small), "steaming" is carried out. You can use this to switch the processing content depending on the purpose. In addition, when water is not supplied during the process, step S05 in FIG. 6 becomes "steaming" instead of "cooking". Such switching of processing contents is particularly effective when there is no need to color cooked rice or the like using a seasoning liquid or the like. In this case, it is possible that the temperature of the object to be processed decreases, but in this case, the temperature raising process of step S04 may be performed again.

Note that when steaming the object to be treated, in step S05, only water vapor may be introduced into the processing section 2 from the steam introduction section 5 without introducing anything other than water vapor into the processing section 2.

Also, when cooking rice, vacuuming may be continued. For example, when it is desired to increase the flow of water vapor in the processing section 2 when cooking rice, a vacuum pump may be operated. The operating state of such a vacuum pump may be adjusted by a control device.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7H and FIG. 6, the inside of the processing section 2 is vacuum cooled (step S06). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7I and FIG. 6, the additive liquid introduction unit 10 introduces the additive liquid after the processing target is processed (step S07). Specifically, when the object to be treated is rice, by supplying a seasoning liquid to the rice after cooking or steaming as a liquid that modifies the object to be treated, it increases the moisture content of the rice and makes it easier to eat ( soft) can be done. In addition, the seasoning liquid easily penetrates into the cooked rice. Note that water may be supplied to the cooked or steamed rice as a liquid for modifying the object to be treated.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 7J and 6, the inside of the processing section 2 is opened to atmospheric pressure (step S08). In this embodiment, the pressure adjustment section 4 reduces the pressure inside the processing section 2 to below atmospheric pressure after the processing of the processing object is performed and before taking out the processing object from the processing section 2. After the treatment, by reducing the pressure in the processing section 2 to below atmospheric pressure, moisture evaporates from the surface of the object to be processed after the treatment, and the object to be processed can be quickly cooled. In this way, the object to be processed can be quickly cooled without providing a vacuum cooling device separate from the steam processing apparatus 1. Furthermore, after the processing section 2 is vacuum cooled (step S06), the processing section 2 may be first opened to atmospheric pressure (step S08), and then the additive liquid may be introduced (step S06). S07).

In this way, the timing of introducing the additive liquid includes, for example, the timing before processing the object to be processed (step S01), the timing during the processing of the object to be processed (step S05), the timing after processing the object to be processed (step S05), and the timing after processing the object to be processed (step S05). S07, S08), at least one may be selected.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 7K and 6, the cooked rice is discharged from the processing unit 2 together with the seasoning liquid (step S09). In this embodiment, by opening the valve V8 between the fluid introduction section 10 and the liquid addition equipment and operating the pump P2, liquid such as seasoning liquid is introduced into the processing section 2, and the lower lid 22 is opened. It is opened and the rice is pushed out from the opened processing object discharge section 6. Note that the rice may be discharged using air supplied from an air supply device. Further, the rice may be discharged by simply opening the valve V6, which is an air introduction valve, and opening the lower lid 22, and the rice may be discharged by the rice's own weight.

A steam-treated product can be manufactured by using the above-described steam processing apparatus 1 and taking out the steam-treated product, which is the processed object, from the processing section 2.

After the rice has been discharged, as shown in FIGS. 7L and 6, the processing section 2 takes out the object to be processed and then introduces a cleaning liquid into the processing section 2. (Step S10). At this time, for example, the lower lid 22 is closed while the valve V6, which is an air introduction valve, is opened, and the processing section 2 is cleaned. By putting a cleaning liquid (water, warm water, chemical solution, etc.) into the processing section 2 (by soaking it, stirring it, etc.), the inside of the processing section 2 can be suitably cleaned. Note that the cleaning effect in the processing section 2 can be enhanced by introducing (bubbling) water vapor or the like from the steam introduction section 11 or the like in parallel.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 8, the steam introduction section 5 may be formed of a hollow member that is introduced into the processing section 2 from below and extends upward inside the processing section 2. In this configuration, even if the steam outlet is set at the same position as in the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the distance between the bottom of the processing section 2 and the steam introduction section 5 is short, so the hollow member into which the steam is introduced is small. It's over.

Note that the hollow member constituting the steam introduction section 5 may have a straight pipe shape extending in the vertical direction, but when opening the lower side of the processing section 2 (processing object discharge section 6), the steam introduction section 5 In order to make it difficult to get caught on objects, it may be a conical member provided with a steam outlet 50, as shown in FIG. Further, the hollow member constituting the steam introduction section 5 may be a member such as a bowl shape. This conical or bowl-shaped member may be formed of a mesh plate, a punching plate, or the like.

Note that the steam processing apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the configuration of another embodiment can be added to the configuration of one embodiment, and a part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment. Additionally, some of the configurations of certain embodiments may be deleted.

The object to be processed by the steam processing apparatus 1 in the above embodiment is rice, but grains other than rice, ingredients to be mixed with rice (for example, ingredients for gomoku rice), vegetables, mushrooms, and other grains or short strings can also be processed. It may be food, spices, tea leaves, Chinese herbal medicine (granular, leaf-like), etc. Furthermore, the aggregated units of materials to be processed, such as tea leaves and Chinese herbal medicines, have fluidity. Note that the steam treatment may be sterilization treatment other than steaming. For example, by storing tea leaves, Chinese herbal medicine, etc. in the vertically elongated cylindrical body 20 and subjecting them to steam treatment, the stored tea leaves and Chinese herbal medicine can be completely sterilized.

For example, when manufacturing gomoku rice, only the rice is steamed in the steam processing device 1, the steamed rice is discharged from the processing object discharge section 6, and the discharged rice is mixed with separately prepared ingredients. You can. Alternatively, rice and ingredients may be steamed in the steam processing device 1 and the steamed rice and ingredients may be discharged from the processing object discharge section 6.

The steam outlet 50 was provided at the bottom of the pipe (steam introduction section 5) extending downward inside the processing section 2, but in addition to the bottom of the pipe, the steam outlet 50 may also be provided at the center of the pipe or at the top of the pipe. You can leave it there.

Note that the liquid outlet 100 as an outlet in the additive liquid introducing section 10 may be provided inside the processing section 2 at the upper part of the region where the accommodated object to be processed exists. Specifically, the liquid outlet 100 may be provided above a pipe (additional liquid introducing section 10) that extends downward inside the processing section 2. In this case, for example, by introducing the additive liquid into the processed object after the treatment, the processed object can be pushed out with the added liquid.

In addition to or instead of a pipe, the steam introduction section 5 may be configured with an opening on the upper side of the vertically long cylindrical body 20 and an opening on the lower side of the vertically long cylindrical body 20. Note that an opening may be provided on the side of the vertically elongated cylindrical body 20 and used as the steam introduction part 5.

In addition to the radial center (near the cylinder axis) of the vertically long cylindrical body 20, or instead of the radial center (near the cylinder axis) of the vertically long cylindrical body 20, the steam introduction part 5 is located at the vertically long cylindrical body 20. It may be provided along the side of 20.

In the steam processing apparatus 1 of the above embodiment, the rice soaked in water was put into the processing section 2 from the soaking apparatus, but the steam processing apparatus 1 may also be used as a soaking apparatus. That is, instead of the soaking device of the above embodiment, a rice washer is connected to the processing section 2, and rice is inputted from this rice washing machine into the processing section 2 (receiving washed rice instead of receiving soaked rice in step S01 of FIG. 3). , the rice may be immersed in the processing section 2 (immersion in step S02), the liquid from the processing section 2 may be drained (step S03), and then steps S04 and subsequent steps may be performed in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

In the above embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the vertically elongated cylindrical body 20 was constant, but it may be changed depending on the flow of water vapor introduced from the steam introduction part 5. Furthermore, although the cross-sectional shape of the vertically elongated cylindrical body 20 was fixed (perfectly circular), it may be changed depending on the flow of water vapor.

The steam processing device 1 may include a mechanism that assists in discharging rice. Such a mechanism may be, for example, a movable plate that moves from above to below.

The steam treatment apparatus of the present invention includes:
In a steam processing apparatus 1 that performs a process of changing the characteristics of a process target object, which is a collection of a plurality of unit objects and has fluidity, by exposing it to water vapor,
A processing unit 2 is provided, which is a container that accommodates the object to be processed and performs the processing, and has an upper part and a lower part,
The processing section 2 includes:
a processing object introducing section 3 that introduces the processing object into the processing section from above;
a pressure adjustment unit 4 that adjusts the internal pressure by discharging gas from above to the outside of the processing unit;
a steam introduction section 5 that introduces the water vapor into the processing section 2 from below;
a drain section 8 for discharging the internal liquid from below in the processing section 2 to the outside;
In the steam introduction section 5, an outlet section 50 through which the water vapor is released into the processing section 2 is provided in a region inside the processing section 2 where the accommodated object to be processed exists. It is characterized by

According to this configuration, since the outlet section 50 (steam outlet 50) is located inside the object to be treated, it is possible to prevent the distance between the outlet section 50 and the upper surface of the object to be treated from becoming too large. The temperature on the top side of the food rises easily, making it difficult for leftovers (for example, uncooked food) to form. Moreover, since the distance between the outlet section 50 and the bottom surface above the object to be treated can be prevented from becoming too large, it is easy to introduce water vapor to the lower side of the outlet section 50 as well.

Moreover, in the steam processing apparatus 1,
The steam introduction section 5 may be formed of a hollow member that is introduced into the processing section 2 from above and extends downward inside the processing section 2.

According to this configuration, the steam introduction section 5 is constituted by a hollow member that is introduced into the processing section 2 from above and extends downward inside the processing section 2, so that the object to be processed is transferred to the bottom surface of the processing section 2. When taking out the steam, the steam introduction part 5 does not get in the way.

Moreover, in the steam processing apparatus 1,
The steam introduction section 5 may be formed of a hollow member that is introduced into the processing section 2 from below and extends upward inside the processing section 2.

According to this configuration, since the distance between the bottom surface of the processing section 2 and the steam introduction section 5 is short, the hollow member for introducing the steam can be small.

Moreover, in the steam processing apparatus 1,
The steam introduction section 5 may be provided inside the processing section 2 substantially at the center of a cross section orthogonal to the vertical direction of a region where the accommodated object to be processed exists.

According to this configuration, water vapor can be uniformly introduced into the processing section 2 using one steam introduction section 5.

Moreover, in the steam processing apparatus 1,
The processing section 2 may include an auxiliary steam introduction section that introduces water vapor into the interior from a position different from the steam introduction section 5.

According to such a configuration, the steam introduction section 5 can introduce water vapor even into places where it is difficult to introduce water vapor, so that residual processing is less likely to occur.

Moreover, in the steam processing apparatus 1,
The auxiliary steam introducing section 11 may be provided on the lower surface of the processing section 2.

According to this configuration, when the lower side of the processing section 2 is a place where water vapor is difficult to be introduced by the steam introduction section 5, it is possible to introduce the water vapor also to this lower side, so that residual processing is less likely to occur.

Further, the steam processing apparatus 1 includes:
The processing section may be provided with a switching means for switching a path for introducing water vapor into the processing section, which is a path using at least one of the steam introduction section 5 and the auxiliary steam introduction section 11.

According to this configuration, not only can the supply of steam be switched between the case where the steam is supplied from the steam introduction section 5 and the case where it is introduced from the auxiliary steam introduction section 11, but also the steam introduction section 5 and the auxiliary steam introduction section 11 can be switched. Steam can also be supplied from both.

Moreover, in the steam processing apparatus 1,
The steam introduction section 5 includes the pressure adjustment section 4, the liquid drainage section 8, and an additive liquid introduction section 10 that introduces an additive liquid for reforming the object to be treated or accelerating the treatment. It may also serve as either one.

According to this configuration, the configuration of the steam treatment device 1 can be simplified by the steam introduction section 5 serving as a drainage system and a liquid introduction system.

Moreover, in the steam processing apparatus 1,
The pressure adjustment section 4 may reduce the pressure inside the processing section 2 to below atmospheric pressure after the processing of the processing object is performed and before taking out the processing object from the processing section 2. good.

According to this configuration, after the processing, the inside of the processing section 2 is reduced to atmospheric pressure or lower, thereby allowing cooling under reduced pressure.

Moreover, in the steam processing apparatus 1,
The processing section 2 may introduce a cleaning liquid into the processing section 2 after taking out the object to be processed.

According to this configuration, the inside of the processing section 2 can be suitably cleaned by putting the cleaning liquid (water, warm water, chemical solution, etc.) into the processing section 2 (by leaving it there, stirring, etc.).

The method for producing a steam-treated product of the present invention includes:
The steam processing device 1 is used to take out the steam-treated product, which is the object to be processed, from the processing section 2.

As described above, according to the present invention, for example, it is possible to provide a steam processing apparatus including a cooked rice manufacturing apparatus that can improve variations in product quality when steaming cooked rice, and a method for manufacturing a steam-processed product.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Steam processing device, 2... Processing part, 3... Processing object introduction part, 4... Pressure adjustment part, 5... Steam introduction part, 6... Processing object discharge part, 7... Air introduction part, 8... Liquid drainage part , 9... Ventilation part, 10... Fluid introduction part (additional liquid introduction part), 11... Auxiliary steam introduction part, 12... Switching means, 20... Vertically long cylindrical body, 21... Upper lid, 22... Lower lid, 50... Steam outlet , 100...liquid outlet, 200...processing area, V1 to V10...valve, P1, P2...pump

Claims (11)

1. In a steam processing device that performs a process of changing the properties of a fluid object made of an aggregate of multiple units by exposing it to water vapor,
   comprising a processing section that is a container that accommodates the object to be processed and performs the processing and has an upper part and a lower part;
   The processing unit includes:
   a processing object introducing section that introduces the processing object into the processing section from above;
   a pressure adjustment unit that adjusts internal pressure by discharging gas from above to the outside of the processing unit;
   a steam introduction section that introduces the water vapor into the processing section from below;
   a liquid draining section for discharging the internal liquid from below in the processing section to the outside,
   In the steam introducing section, an outlet section through which the water vapor is released into the processing section is provided in an area where the accommodated object to be processed is present inside the processing section. Steam treatment equipment.
2. The steam processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the steam introduction section is configured with a hollow member that is introduced from above into the processing section and extends downward inside the processing section.
3. The steam processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the steam introduction section is constituted by a hollow member that is introduced from below into the processing section and extends upward inside the processing section.
4. Claims 1 to 3, wherein the steam introduction section is provided inside the processing section substantially at the center of a cross section perpendicular to the vertical direction of a region where the accommodated object to be processed exists. The steam treatment device according to any one of the above.
5. The steam processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processing section includes an auxiliary steam introduction section that introduces water vapor into the interior from a position different from the steam introduction section.
6. The steam processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the auxiliary steam introduction section is provided on the lower surface of the processing section.
7. The steam processing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a switching means for switching a route for introducing water vapor into the processing section, the path using at least one of the steam introduction section and the auxiliary steam introduction section. .
8. The steam introduction section serves as either the pressure adjustment section, the liquid drainage section, or an additive liquid introduction section that introduces an additive liquid therein for reforming the object to be treated or accelerating the treatment. The steam treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
9. The pressure adjusting section reduces the pressure inside the processing section to below atmospheric pressure after the processing of the processing object is performed and before taking out the processing object from the processing section. 8. The steam treatment device according to any one of 8.
10. The steam processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the processing section introduces a cleaning liquid into the processing section after taking out the object to be processed.
11. Manufacturing of a steam-treated product, characterized in that the steam-treated product, which is the object to be treated and which has been subjected to the treatment, is taken out from the treatment section using the steam treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10. Method.
    

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