Tofu making equipment

Abstract

To provide a tofu manufacturing apparatus that allows for easier control of tofu firmness while suppressing a decrease in yield. [Solution] The tofu manufacturing apparatus 100 comprises a coagulation machine 40 that generates soy milk coagulation T, which is the tofu dough; a cutting unit 42 that cuts the soy milk coagulation T in the coagulation machine 40 into a polyhedron shape; a conveyor 20 that conveys the soy milk coagulation T cut into a polyhedron shape by the cutting unit 42 downstream; a collapse suppression unit provided in at least one of the coagulation machine 40 and the conveyor 20 to suppress the collapse of the soy milk coagulation T; and a molding machine 1 that compresses and molds the soy milk coagulation T conveyed from the conveyor 20.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tofu production apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] For example, tofu is produced by subjecting soybeans to steps including soaking, grinding, heating, pressing, coagulating, and pressing.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a batch-type coagulation apparatus for tofu products that uniformly breaks the soymilk coagulate aged by a stirring means and discharges the same from the soymilk coagulate discharge means to a subsequent molding step. It also discloses that the stirring means also serves as a breaking means for uniformly and coarsely crushing the aged soymilk coagulate.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When breaking soymilk coagulate with a stirring means, it is difficult to control the hardness of cotton tofu. In addition, if the soymilk coagulate is excessively broken, excessive moisture is removed from the broken soymilk coagulate by pressing, resulting in a smaller size of cotton tofu produced from the same amount of soymilk coagulate, reduced yield, and harder tofu.

[0006] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a tofu production apparatus that facilitates adjustment of tofu hardness in a molding machine while suppressing a decrease in yield.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] To solve the above problems, the tofu manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises: a coagulation machine that generates a soy milk coagulation which is tofu dough; a cutting unit that cuts the soy milk coagulation in the coagulation machine into a polyhedral shape; a conveyor that transports the soy milk coagulation cut into a polyhedral shape by the cutting unit downstream; a collapse suppression unit provided in at least one of the coagulation machine and the conveyor that suppresses the collapse of the soy milk coagulation; and a molding machine that compresses and molds the soy milk coagulation transported from the conveyor.

[0008] Furthermore, according to the tofu manufacturing apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, with respect to the first aspect, the collapse suppression unit has an electric actuator or a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator that tilts the coagulation machine in order to discharge the soy milk coagulation in the coagulation machine to the conveyor, and the tilting speed of the actuator can be controlled according to the tilting angle of the coagulation machine.

[0009] Furthermore, according to the tofu manufacturing apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, with respect to the second aspect, the actuator tilts the coagulation machine at a faster tilting speed before the soy milk coagulation in the coagulation machine is discharged, and once the soy milk coagulation in the coagulation machine begins to be discharged, it tilts the coagulation machine in multiple stages at a slower tilting speed to control the discharge speed of the soy milk coagulation.

[0010] Furthermore, according to the tofu manufacturing apparatus of the fourth aspect of the present invention, with respect to the first to third aspects, the collapse suppression unit has a hopper provided in the conveyor, and the hopper has an inclined surface that receives the soy milk coagulation discharged from the coagulation machine, and has an inclined surface having an inclination angle that increases from downstream to upstream in the conveying direction.

[0011] Furthermore, the tofu manufacturing apparatus of the fifth aspect of the present invention, relating to the fourth aspect, has a rotary pump connected to the discharge port of the hopper, and the soy milk coagulation is conveyed to the molding machine by the pressure of the rotary pump.

[0012] Furthermore, according to the sixth embodiment of the tofu manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, with respect to the fifth embodiment, the collapse suppression unit has a conveying pipe, one end of which is connected to the rotary pump and the other end of which reaches the molding machine.

[0013] Furthermore, the tofu manufacturing apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, relating to the sixth aspect, includes a food-grade hose, a bend pipe, and a straight pipe.

[0014] Furthermore, according to the tofu manufacturing apparatus of the eighth aspect of the present invention, in relation to the sixth or seventh aspect, the coagulation machine, the conveyor, and the molding machine are arranged adjacent to each other so that the conveying pipe is configured to be relatively short.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the ninth embodiment of the tofu manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, with respect to the fourth to eighth embodiments, the collapse suppression unit has a chute provided in the conveyor, and the chute transfers the soy milk solidified material discharged from the coagulation machine to the hopper.

[0016] Furthermore, according to the tenth embodiment of the tofu manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, with respect to the first to ninth embodiments, the cutting section has a grid-shaped vertical cutter for cutting the soy milk coagulation in a vertical direction and a horizontal cutter for cutting the soy milk coagulation in the coagulation machine in a horizontal direction.

[0017] Furthermore, according to the eleventh embodiment of the tofu manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, in the first to tenth embodiments, the coagulation machine is a round-type bucket coagulation machine in which a plurality of coagulation buckets circulate around a base.

[0018] Furthermore, according to the twelfth embodiment of the tofu manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, in the first to eleventh embodiments, the molding machine is a continuous molding apparatus that compresses and molds the soy milk coagulation supplied to the conveying path. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the tofu manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, it becomes easier to adjust the firmness of the tofu using a continuous molding machine while suppressing a decrease in yield. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a schematic front view showing a main part of the tofu manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a schematic plan view showing a main part of the tofu manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a schematic plan view of a bucket-type coagulator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a schematic front view of a conveyor and a continuous molding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a schematic side view of the same apparatus seen from the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] It is a schematic plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] It is a schematic diagram showing a cutting part of the tofu manufacturing apparatus. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing how an actuator is used to control the tilting speed in accordance with the tilting angle of the coagulator. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing an example of a schematic overall configuration of a continuous tofu molding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing a cross-section taken along line II-II of FIG. 9.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same reference numerals are given to the same constituent elements in each drawing as much as possible, and overlapping descriptions are appropriately omitted.

[0022] === Embodiment === <<Configuration of Tofu Manufacturing Apparatus>> Figure 1 is a schematic front view showing the main parts of a tofu manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the same tofu manufacturing apparatus 100. Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of a bucket-type coagulation machine 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a schematic front view of a conveyor 20 and a continuous molding apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 is a schematic side view of the same apparatus viewed from the direction of arrow X in Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a schematic plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the tofu manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a bucket-type coagulation machine 40 that generates soy milk coagulation T, which is the tofu dough; a conveyor 20 that transports the soy milk coagulation T downstream from the coagulation machine 40, which has been cut into a polyhedron shape by a cutting unit 42; a collapse suppression unit provided on the coagulation machine 40 and / or the conveyor 20 to suppress the collapse of the soy milk coagulation T; and a continuous molding apparatus 1 that compresses and molds the soy milk coagulation T transported from the conveyor 20. Here, a polyhedron is a solid enclosed by four or more planar polygons, including tetrahedrons, pentahedrons, hexahedrons, etc. According to the tofu manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the soy milk coagulation T produced in the coagulation machine 40 and cut into a polyhedron shape can be transported to the continuous molding apparatus 1 without collapsing as much as possible. The conveyor 20 is located between the coagulation machine 40 and the continuous molding apparatus 1, and the conveyor 20 transports the soy milk coagulation T from the coagulation machine 40 to the continuous molding apparatus 1. Hereafter, the solidification machine 40 will also be referred to as the bucket solidification machine 40 as appropriate.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, the bucket coagulator 40 is configured as a round-type bucket coagulator in which multiple coagulation buckets 40a orbit a base 41. The round-type bucket coagulator inclins the coagulation buckets 40a to discharge the coagulated soy milk T inside. In this embodiment, the bucket coagulator 40 has multiple coagulation buckets 40a, and each coagulation bucket 40a is rotated and transported clockwise from the upstream position to the downstream position, completing one orbit around the base 41.

[0024] Specifically, soy milk is poured into the coagulation bucket 40a at the upstream position, and a coagulant is added to the coagulation bucket 40a and stirred at a further downstream position. This causes the soy milk to begin coagulating. After that, the coagulation bucket 40a is further transported around the base 41. At a further downstream position, the coagulated soy milk solids T are cut and broken by the raising and lowering of the cutting section 42, and at an even further downstream position, they are cut and broken by the rotation of the cutting section 42. The coagulation bucket 40a is further transported around the base 41, and at a further downstream position, the coagulated soy milk solids T in the bucket are loaded into the hopper 44, which is part of the collapse suppression section, via the chute 43, which is part of the collapse suppression section. The upstream and downstream positions can be set arbitrarily.

[0025] The collapse suppression section is a distinctive part provided in the bucket coagulation machine 40 and / or conveyor 20 that suppresses the collapse of the soy milk coagulation T. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the tofu manufacturing apparatus 100 has a chute 43 provided on the conveyor 20 as a collapse suppression unit. The chute 43 smoothly transfers the soy milk coagulation T discharged from the coagulation bucket 40a of the bucket coagulation machine 40 to the hopper 44. The chute 43 has a width greater than the diameter of the coagulation bucket 40a in order to receive the soy milk coagulation T discharged from the inclined coagulation bucket 40a, and its surface that receives the soy milk coagulation T is smoothly formed. As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the chute 43 is fixed to the hopper 44 so as to protrude from the housing of the hopper 44 toward the coagulation bucket 40a side, and is gently inclined downward toward the hopper 44 from the coagulation bucket 40a side. Because the soy milk coagulation T is not discharged directly to the hopper 44 but is first received by the chute 43 and then gently transferred to the hopper 44, collapse of the soy milk coagulation T caused by the impact when it falls to the bottom of the hopper 44 is suppressed.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, the tofu manufacturing apparatus 100 has a hopper 44 provided on the conveyor 20 as a collapse suppression unit. The hopper 44 is an inclined surface 44a that receives the soy milk solidified material T discharged from the bucket coagulation machine 40 or chute 43, and has an inclined surface 44a with an inclination angle that increases from downstream to upstream in the conveying direction, for example, an inclination angle of 15° to 20°. The inclined surface 44a is part of the bottom surface of the hopper 44. In other words, at the location corresponding to where the soy milk solidified material T in the bucket is loaded into the hopper 44, the inclined surface 44a is at a higher position, and at the location of the discharge port 44b for the soy milk solidified material T, which is downstream from this location, the inclined surface 44a is at a lower position. The discharge port 44b is at the lowest position at the bottom of the coagulation bucket 40a.

[0027] Thus, by having an inclined surface 44a of the hopper 44 with an inclination angle of 15° to 20° from downstream to upstream in the conveying direction, the accumulation of soy milk solids T inside the hopper 44 is suppressed, and the soy milk solids T flow smoothly downstream. Furthermore, after the first batch of soy milk solids T is loaded into the hopper 44 after the tofu manufacturing apparatus 100 is put into operation, the first batch of soy milk solids T accumulated inside the hopper 44 acts as a cushion, further suppressing the collapse of subsequent batches of soy milk solids T that may occur when they fall onto the inclined surface 44a. On the other hand, if the inclined surface 44a of the hopper 44 has an inclination angle of 10° or less, the soy milk solids T will accumulate and will not flow downstream easily.

[0028] Here, the inclined surface 44a of the hopper 44 may be fixed in the range of 15° to 20°, or the inclination angle may be adjustable in multiple stages. For example, the hopper 44 may be configured such that the inclination angle of the inclined surface 44a of the hopper 44 can be adjusted in three stages: 15°, 17.5°, and 20°.

[0029] Furthermore, the hopper 44 has a capacity more than twice that of one solidification bucket 40a. As a result, the impact of subsequent soy milk solids T falling is mitigated by the soy milk solids T that have already accumulated in the hopper 44, suppressing the collapse of subsequent soy milk solids T. Moreover, as shown in Figure 4, since the discharge port 44b for soy milk solids T is located at the lowest position at the bottom of the solidification bucket 40a, the soy milk solids T that have accumulated first are discharged from the hopper 44 first, and the soy milk solids T that have accumulated later are discharged from the hopper 44 later, thus preventing the freshness of the soy milk solids T from being compromised.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1, 4, and 5, the tofu manufacturing apparatus 100 has a rotary pump 45 connected to the discharge port 44b of the hopper 44 as a collapse suppression unit, and the soy milk coagulation T is transported to the continuous molding apparatus 1 by the pressure of the rotary pump 45. Specifically, by using a large rotary pump to avoid collapse during pump transport, sufficient suction force is obtained to lift the soy milk coagulation T upwards and transport it to the continuous molding apparatus 1. The rotary pump 45 is connected below the hopper 44, not to the coagulation bucket 40a, and sucks up the soy milk coagulation T accumulated in the hopper 44 and transports it to the continuous molding apparatus 1 through the transport pipe 50. The rotary pump 45 is connected vertically close to the discharge port 44b of the hopper 44, and the vertical travel distance of the soy milk coagulation T from the hopper 44 to the rotary pump 45 is kept short. Therefore, the collapse of the soy milk coagulation T is suppressed when it is moved from the hopper 44 to the conveying pipe 50 by the suction force of the rotary pump 45. Furthermore, the rotary pump 45 is located at a close distance from the floor surface 60.

[0031] Furthermore, the tofu manufacturing apparatus 100 has a conveying pipe 50 as a collapse suppression section, with one end connected to a rotary pump 45 and the other end reaching the continuous molding apparatus 1. Specifically, the conveying pipe 50 has a food hose 50a connected to the discharge port 45a of the rotary pump 45, a bend pipe 50b connected to the other end of the food hose 50a, a straight pipe 50c connected to the bend pipe 50b, and a bend pipe 50d connected to the straight pipe 50c. By using a bend pipe with a gentler bend than an elbow pipe, pressure loss can be reduced, and collapse of the soy milk coagulation T upon impact with the bends of the bend pipe can be suppressed.

[0032] The food-grade hose 50a is made of a lightweight material such as polyvinyl chloride and is flexible. Therefore, the food-grade hose 50a can be easily connected to the discharge port 45a of the rotary pump 45 and the bend pipe 50b. The bend pipe 50d is located above the transport path 4 of the continuous molding device 1, which will be described later, and thus the soy milk coagulation T is transported through the inside of the transport pipe 50 to the continuous molding device 1.

[0033] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the cutting section 42 of the tofu manufacturing apparatus 100. Figure 7(a) is a schematic side view of the vertical cutter 42a as the cutting section 42, Figure 7(b) is a schematic top view of the same vertical cutter 42a, and Figure 7(c) is a schematic side view of the horizontal cutter 42b as the cutting section 42. The cutting section 42 has a grid-like vertical cutter 42a that cuts the soy milk solidified material T in the solidification bucket 40a of the bucket solidification machine 40 in a vertical direction by moving up and down, and a horizontal cutter 42b that cuts the soy milk solidified material T in a horizontal direction by rotating. Here, "grid-like" refers to a state in which dividers or partitions are arranged periodically vertically and horizontally.

[0034] Referring to Figure 7(b), the vertical cutter 42a has a grid size of any size depending on the type and quality of tofu to be produced, thereby making it possible to cut (break) the soy milk coagulation T into any size.

[0035] Referring to Figure 7(c), the horizontal cutter 42b has a rotating shaft and a plurality of rod-shaped members extending horizontally, fixed to the rotating shaft at equal intervals in the vertical direction. The horizontal cutter 42b is a jig shaped like a fishbone. The spacing of the rod-shaped members in the vertical direction can be arbitrarily set according to the type and quality of tofu to be manufactured.

[0036] By matching the grid size of the vertical cutter 42a with the spacing of the rod-shaped members, the soy milk solidified material T is cut into a polyhedron shape, particularly a cubic shape, at predetermined positions around the base 41. However, the soy milk solidified material T after cutting does not need to be cubic. By varying the grid size of the vertical cutter 42a with the spacing of the rod-shaped members, the soy milk solidified material T after cutting may be cut into a polyhedron shape, particularly a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0037] As shown in Figure 7(a), at a predetermined position around the base 41, a grid-shaped vertical cutter 42a is lowered vertically into the solidification bucket 40a, thereby cutting the soy milk solidified material T vertically. Furthermore, at a further downstream position around the base 41, a horizontal cutter 42b is lowered vertically into the solidification bucket 40a and rotated, thereby cutting the soy milk solidified material T horizontally. As a result, the soy milk solidified material T is cut into a polyhedral shape.

[0038] However, instead, the soy milk coagulation T may be cut horizontally using a horizontal cutter 42b at an upstream position, and then vertically using a grid-shaped vertical cutter 42a at a downstream position, thereby cutting the soy milk coagulation T into a polyhedron shape.

[0039] Figure 8 shows how the tilt speed of the bucket solidification machine 40 is controlled according to the tilt angle using the actuator 30, which acts as a collapse suppression unit. As shown in Figure 8, the tofu manufacturing apparatus 100 has an actuator 30 as a collapse suppression unit that tilts the solidified soy milk bucket 40a of the bucket solidifier 40 in order to discharge the solidified soy milk T in the solidified bucket 40a of the bucket solidifier 40 to the conveyor 20, and the actuator 30 can control the tilting speed according to the tilting angle of the bucket solidifier 40. Here, the actuator includes an electric actuator or a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator.

[0040] For example, starting from a state where the solidification bucket 40a of the bucket solidification machine 40 is oriented vertically (Figure 8(a)), the actuator 30 tilts the solidification bucket 40a at a relatively fast speed until the solidification bucket 40a is slightly tilted around an unillustrated axis of rotation and the solidified soy milk T inside reaches the edge of the solidification bucket 40a (Figure 8(b)). Next, after the solidification bucket 40a is tilted further and the solidified soy milk T begins to fall from the edge of the solidification bucket 40a (Figure 8(c)), the actuator 30 tilts the solidification bucket 40a at a slower speed in multiple stages to control the discharge rate of the solidified soy milk T.

[0041] Here, "multi-stage" means, for example, that S1 is the rate of inclination of the soy milk solids T from when they start falling from the solidification bucket 40a until the amount of soy milk solids T in the bucket is reduced to 2 / 3 of the original amount, S2 is the rate of inclination of the soy milk solids T until the remaining amount is reduced to 1 / 3, and S3 is the rate of inclination of the soy milk solids T until the remaining amount is gone, and that S1 > S2 > S3 holds true.

[0042] In conventional designs, the coagulation machine was controlled using a single exhaust flow control valve, making it difficult to adjust the inclination speed, and only a uniform speed change was possible. By using multiple exhaust flow control valves or actuators 30, the inclination speed can be increased in areas not involved in the discharge of soy milk coagulation T to shorten the time, while the inclination speed can be slowed down at the inclination angle in which the soy milk coagulation T is discharged, particularly by slowing it down in multiple stages, it is possible to suppress collapse due to the impact when the soy milk coagulation T is discharged. In particular, by making the inclination speed slowest at the end of discharge, it is possible to suppress collapse due to the impact caused by the simultaneous discharge of soy milk coagulation T at the end of discharge.

[0043] Furthermore, the coagulation bucket 40a can rotate further than the horizontal state, transitioning to a state such as that shown in Figure 8(d). By rotating the coagulation bucket 40a further than the horizontal state in this way, even if the inclination speed is slow, it is prevented that the coagulated soy milk T will remain in the coagulation bucket 40a without being discharged.

[0044] ≪Configuration of the Continuous Molding Machine≫ Figure 9 shows an example of a schematic overall configuration of a continuous tofu molding apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 9. The continuous tofu molding apparatus 1 is a device that compresses and molds soy milk coagulation T, which is tofu dough, supplied to the conveying path 4. Soy milk coagulation T is obtained by adding a coagulant to soy milk produced by a bucket coagulator 40 and coagulating it (primary coagulation).

[0045] The continuous molding apparatus 1 mainly comprises a conveyor belt 2A, a conveyor belt 2B, a filter cloth belt 3A, and a filter cloth belt 3B. Conveyor belt 2A is the first conveyor belt, and conveyor belt 2B is the second conveyor belt. Filter cloth belt 3A is the first filter cloth belt, and filter cloth belt 3B is the second filter cloth belt. The path through which the soy milk coagulation T is held and transported by conveyor belts 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B is defined as the transport path 4.

[0046] Conveyor 2A is endless and is located above the conveying path 4 for the soy milk solidified material T. Conveyor 2B is endless and is located below the conveying path 4 for the soy milk solidified material T. Conveyor 2A and conveyor 2B form a pair.

[0047] The conveyor 2A is driven by the conveyor roller 10 and revolves along a predetermined track above the conveyor path 4. The conveyor 2B is driven by the conveyor roller 11 and revolves along a predetermined track below the conveyor path 4. The conveyor roller 10 and the conveyor roller 11 are each driven by motors (not shown). The conveyor 2A and the conveyor 2B are driven to revolve at a constant revolving speed. In addition, multiple driven rollers 12 are arranged on the revolving tracks of the conveyor 2A and the conveyor 2B, respectively. The driven rollers 12 are driven by the conveyor roller 10 and the conveyor roller 11.

[0048] Each of the conveyor belts 2A and 2B is subjected to a predetermined tension by the driven rollers 12. That is, the conveyor belts 2A and 2B are guided by their respective driven rollers 12. The driven rollers 12 act as tension rollers. As a result, the deflection of the tracks of the conveyor belts 2A and 2B is suppressed, and they are adjusted to revolve along a predetermined track. Note that the method of applying tension to the conveyor belts 2A and 2B is not limited to the above.

[0049] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the conveyor belt 2B is supported so as to be movable in the conveying direction P by a plurality of support rails 15 erected on the base 14. Above the base 14, a lifting section 16 is positioned, which is supported so as to be able to move up and down by a lifting mechanism (not shown). A plurality of support rails 17 are provided hanging down from the lifting section 16, and uniformly press the conveyor belt 2A toward the soy milk solids T below. Alternatively, the conveyor belt 2B may be configured to press toward the soy milk solids T above.

[0050] The conveyor belts 2A and 2B are, for example, caterpillar-type conveyors, and are composed of a combination of numerous flat plates and chains. However, the configuration of the conveyor belts 2A and 2B is not limited to the above.

[0051] The filter cloth belt 3A is endless and is located above the transport path 4 for the soy milk coagulated material T. The filter cloth belt 3B is endless and is located below the transport path 4 for the soy milk coagulated material T. The filter cloth belts 3A and 3B form a pair.

[0052] The filter cloth belt 3A is driven by the drive roller 21 and revolves along a predetermined track above the transport path 4. The filter cloth belt 3A is synchronized with the transport conveyor 2A and revolves around the outer circumference of the transport conveyor 2A. The filter cloth belt 3B is driven by the drive roller 22 and revolves along a predetermined track below the transport path 4. The filter cloth belt 3B is synchronized with the transport conveyor 2B and revolves around the outer circumference of the transport conveyor 2B. The drive roller 21 and the drive roller 22 are each driven by motors (not shown). Multiple driven rollers 13 are arranged along the revolving tracks of the filter cloth belts 3A and 3B, respectively. The driven rollers 13 are driven by the drive rollers 21 and 22.

[0053] Each of the filter cloth belts 3A and 3B is subjected to a predetermined tension by the driven roller 13. That is, the filter cloth belts 3A and 3B are guided by their respective driven rollers 13. The driven rollers 13 act as tension rollers. As a result, the deflection of the filter cloth belts 3A and 3B is suppressed, and they are adjusted to revolve along a predetermined trajectory. Note that the method of applying tension to the filter cloth belts 3A and 3B is not limited to the above.

[0054] In the region forming the transport path 4, the trajectories of each component are arranged linearly along the transport path 4. Thus, the transport conveyors 2A and 2B include trajectories parallel to the transport path 4. Similarly, the filter cloth belts 3A and 3B also include trajectories parallel to the transport path 4. From the entrance to the exit of the transport path 4, the transport conveyors 2A and 2B are each arranged linearly.

[0055] The conveyor belts 2A and 2B, filter cloth belt 3A, and filter cloth belt 3B grip the soy milk solidified material T, which is the material to be conveyed, in the vertical direction and convey it in the conveying direction P. Specifically, the conveyor belt 2A and filter cloth belt 3A grip the soy milk solidified material T from above, and the conveyor belt 2B and filter cloth belt 3B grip the soy milk solidified material T from below. That is, one side of filter cloth belt 3A is in contact with the surface of conveyor belt 2A, and the other side of filter cloth belt 3A is in contact with the soy milk solidified material T. Similarly, one side of filter cloth belt 3B is in contact with the surface of conveyor belt 2B, and the other side of filter cloth belt 3B is in contact with the soy milk solidified material T. In this way, filter cloth belts 3A and 3B are installed between the pair of conveyor belts 2A and 2B, with the conveying path 4 in between. Then, a transport path 4 is formed between filter cloth belt 3A and filter cloth belt 3B.

[0056] As a result, the soy milk coagulation T is transported along the conveyor path 4 while being compressed. As the soy milk coagulation T is compressed, water is squeezed out by the filter cloth belt 3A and filter cloth belt 3B, and the water is discharged from the soy milk coagulation T. The soy milk coagulation T then becomes compacted and molded tofu. For example, the discharged water may be whey, seepage water, or hot water. By continuously compressing the supplied soy milk coagulation T, sheet-shaped tofu of predetermined molding dimensions is produced.

[0057] Tofu products include silken tofu (soft tofu) and firm tofu (firm tofu). Firm tofu includes soft tofu, firm tofu, hard tofu, dried tofu, etc. Tofu products may also include soft firm tofu, tofu bars, deep-fried tofu (thick fried tofu) dough, silken deep-fried tofu dough, deep-fried tofu dough such as thin fried tofu and thick fried tofu, seasoned sushi fried tofu dough, dough for ganmodoki (fried tofu patties), and secondary processed products of these. Secondary processed products may also include frozen processing and freeze-drying processing.

[0058] The conveyor belts 2A and 2B, filter cloth belt 3A, and filter cloth belt 3B change their trajectory at the exit of the transport path 4 and return to the entrance of the transport path 4 to form a circular trajectory. That is, the circular trajectory consists of a transport trajectory that transports the soy milk solidified material T and a return trajectory that goes from the exit side back to the entrance side.

[0059] In the return track, the conveyor belts 2A and 2B, filter cloth belt 3A, and filter cloth belt 3B undergo cleaning and sterilization. The continuous molding apparatus 1 is equipped with an alkaline cleaning tank 31, an acid cleaning tank 32, and a steam sterilization tank 33 in the return track. Note that the alkaline cleaning tank 31, the acid cleaning tank 32, and the steam sterilization tank 33 may be omitted.

[0060] Once the conveyor belts 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B enter the return track, they are washed in the water washing section 34. The water washing section 34 sprays washing water to remove any remaining soy milk coagulation T and whey adhering to the conveyor belts 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B. Then, the conveyor belts 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B enter the alkaline washing tank 31. The alkaline washing tank 31 immerses the conveyor belts 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B in an alkaline solution to decompose organic matter such as oil and protein, and to clean them.

[0061] Next, the conveyor belts 2A and 2B, filter cloth belt 3A, and filter cloth belt 3B are washed with water in the water washing section 35. The water washing section 35 sprays washing water to remove any remaining soy milk coagulation T and whey that has adhered to the conveyor belts 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B. The water washing section 35 also washes off any alkaline solution that has adhered to the conveyor belts 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B. Then, the conveyor belts 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B enter the acid washing tank 32. In the acid washing tank 32, the conveyor belts 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B are immersed in acid solution to dissolve inorganic salts (scale) such as calcium carbonate and perform cleaning. Furthermore, the alkaline liquid adhering to the conveyor belt 2A, conveyor belt 2B, filter cloth belt 3A, and filter cloth belt 3B is neutralized by the acid washing tank 32.

[0062] Next, the conveyor belts 2A and 2B, filter cloth belt 3A, and filter cloth belt 3B are washed with water in the water washing section 36. The water washing section 36 sprays washing water to remove any remaining soy milk coagulation T and whey adhering to the conveyor belts 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B. The water washing section 36 also washes off any acidic liquid adhering to the conveyor belts 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B. Finally, the conveyor belts 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B enter the steam sterilization tank 33. The steam sterilization tank 33 sprays steam onto the conveyor belts 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B to sterilize them. Furthermore, the steam sterilization tank 33 heats and sterilizes the conveyor belts 2A and 2B, the filter cloth belt 3A, and the filter cloth belt 3B using the heat inside. The acid solution adhering to the conveyor belts 2A and 2B, the filter cloth belt 3A, and the filter cloth belt 3B is removed in the steam sterilization tank 33.

[0063] The conveyor belts 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B are cleaned on the return track, return to the entrance side of the transport path 4, enter the transport track, and transport and compress the soy milk coagulation T again.

[0064] ===Literal translation=== It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. That is, any design modifications made to the above-described examples by those skilled in the art are also included within the scope of the present invention, as long as they retain the features of the present invention. Furthermore, the elements of the above embodiments and the following modifications can be combined to the extent that it is technically possible, and any combination thereof is also included within the scope of the present invention, as long as it retains the features of the present invention.

[0065] For example, although the above embodiment shows a specific configuration example of the continuous molding apparatus 1, the specific apparatus configuration is not limited to the configuration of the continuous molding apparatus 1 shown in Figure 9, as long as it is an apparatus capable of continuously molding tofu products.

[0066] Furthermore, although the above embodiment has described the specific circular trajectories of the conveyor belt 2A, conveyor belt 2B, filter cloth belt 3A, and filter cloth belt 3B, the circular trajectory is not limited to the one shown in Figure 9. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1: Continuous molding equipment (molding machine) 20: Conveyor 30: Actuator 40: Coagulation machine 40a: Solidification bucket 41: Base 42: Cutter 42a: Vertical cutter 42b: Horizontal cutter 43: Shoot 44: Hopper 44a: Inclined surface 44b: Discharge port 45: Rotary pump 50: Conveyor pipe 50a: Food-grade hose 50b: Bend pipe 50c: Straight pipe 50d: Bend pipe 100:Tofu manufacturing equipment T: Soy milk coagulation

Claims

1. A coagulation machine that produces soy milk coagulation, which is the base of tofu, A cutting section for cutting the soy milk coagulation in the coagulation machine into a polyhedral shape, A conveyor that transports the soy milk coagulation cut into a polyhedral shape by the aforementioned cutting section downstream, A collapse suppression unit is provided in at least one of the coagulation machine and the conveying machine to suppress the collapse of the soy milk coagulation, A molding machine for compressing and molding the soy milk coagulation transported from the conveyor, A tofu manufacturing apparatus equipped with the following features.

2. The collapse suppression unit has an electric actuator or a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator that tilts the coagulation machine in order to discharge the soy milk coagulation from the coagulation machine to the conveyor, and the actuator is capable of controlling the tilting speed according to the tilting angle of the coagulation machine. The tofu manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The actuator tilts the coagulation machine at a relatively fast tilting speed before the soy milk solids are discharged from the coagulation machine, and then tilts the coagulation machine in multiple stages at a slower tilting speed once the soy milk solids begin to be discharged from the coagulation machine, thereby controlling the discharge rate of the soy milk solids. The tofu manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The collapse suppression unit has a hopper provided in the conveyor, and the hopper has an inclined surface that receives the soy milk coagulation discharged from the coagulation machine, and has an inclined surface having an inclination angle that increases from downstream to upstream in the conveying direction. A tofu manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The collapse suppression unit has a rotary pump connected to the discharge port of the hopper, and the pressure from the rotary pump transports the soy milk solidified material to the molding machine. The tofu manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The collapse suppression unit has a conveying pipe at one end connected to the rotary pump and at the other end reaching the molding machine. The tofu manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5.

7. The aforementioned conveying pipe has a food hose, a bend pipe, and a straight pipe. The tofu manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The solidification machine, the conveyor, and the molding machine are arranged adjacent to each other so that the conveying pipe is made relatively short. The tofu manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6.

9. The collapse suppression unit has a chute provided in the conveyor, and the chute transfers the soy milk coagulation discharged from the coagulation machine to the hopper. The tofu manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4.

10. The tofu manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cutting section comprises a grid-shaped vertical cutter for cutting the soy milk coagulation in a vertical direction and a horizontal cutter for cutting the soy milk coagulation in the coagulation machine in a horizontal direction.

11. The tofu manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the coagulation machine is a round-type bucket coagulation machine in which a plurality of coagulation buckets orbit a base.

12. The tofu manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the molding machine is a continuous molding device that compresses and molds soy milk coagulated material supplied to a conveying path.

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