Fermentation inspection device

Abstract

To provide a fermentation inspection device capable of inspecting a fermentation state of an object with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A fermentation inspection device 1 includes: a cylindrical member with predetermined inner dimensions for housing an object; measuring means for measuring height dimensions of the object; and calculation means for calculating a volume of the object based on the inner dimensions and the height dimensions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fermentation inspection device for inspecting the fermentation characteristics of an object that expands due to fermentation, and more particularly to a fermentation inspection device capable of measuring the volume of dough used for bread, sweet bread, and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, the process of making bread includes a fermentation step in which dough kneaded with a mixer or the like is placed for a predetermined time in a proofer (i.e., a fermentation device) that can maintain a predetermined temperature and humidity. In order to produce bread of a desired quality, it is necessary to stabilize the fermentation of the dough. Generally, the rise of the dough is visually observed to judge the degree of fermentation (hereinafter referred to as visual judgment).

[0003] Also, a bread dough fermentation completion notification device has been proposed as a device that automatically notifies the completion of fermentation (see Patent Document 1). This bread dough fermentation completion device detects a change in electrical resistance between a pair of electrodes in contact with the dough and notifies the completion of fermentation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-181025 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] According to the visual judgment, it is necessary to visually read and record the scales on the containers containing the dough at predetermined intervals, which is a cumbersome and time-consuming process. In particular, when there are multiple doughs to be measured, it is practically difficult to visually check each container. Furthermore, there is a risk that the way the values ​​are read will differ depending on the person measuring.

[0006] On the other hand, the bread dough fermentation completion notifying device disclosed in Patent Document 1 improves the accuracy of identifying the degree of fermentation of the bread dough because an inspector does not need to measure. However, since the bread dough fermentation completion leaving device is configured with a pair of fixed electrodes, it can only identify whether the bread dough has completed fermentation or not. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain information about the fermentation state of each bread dough.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT One object of the present invention is to provide a fermentation testing device capable of testing the fermentation state of an object and having a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A first aspect of the fermentation testing apparatus according to the present invention includes a tubular member having a predetermined inner dimension for accommodating a target object, A measuring means for measuring a height dimension of the object; and a measuring means for calculating a volume of the object based on the inner dimension and the height dimension.

[0009] A second aspect of the fermentation testing apparatus of the present invention is the first aspect, in which the tubular members are multiple and the apparatus is equipped with a communication means having BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) for transmitting volume information regarding each of the multiple tubular members.

[0010] In this specification, the term "subject" refers to an object to be stirred or mixed, including, for example, dough for fermentable foods such as bread or confectionery, and substances and water to be mixed into the dough. In addition, "fermentation" refers to the property of decomposing organic compounds such as sugars contained in the object by enzymes contained in yeast or bacteria, etc., to produce alcohol, organic acids, carbon dioxide gas, etc. Effect of the Invention

[0011] The fermentation testing apparatus according to the present invention can calculate the volume of an object despite its simple configuration in which the length dimension and the outer diameter dimension are measured by the measuring means. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a main part of a fermentation testing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the main components of the fermentation inspection device according to the embodiment of the present invention are arranged in a fermentation chamber. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a measurement unit of the fermentation testing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified. Hereinafter, a fermentation testing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0014] FIG. 1 is an oblique view showing the main components of a fermentation testing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, FIG. 2 is an oblique view showing the main components of the fermentation testing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment arranged in a fermentation chamber 101, and FIG. 3 is an exploded oblique view showing a measuring unit 9 of the fermentation testing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment.

[0015] 1, the fermentation testing apparatus 1 mainly comprises a tubular cylinder 11, which is a cylindrical member having a predetermined inside dimension R for accommodating the target dough B, a distance sensor 3, which is a measuring means for measuring the height dimension H of the dough B, and a measuring unit 9, which is a measuring means for calculating the volume of the dough B based on the inside dimensions, the inside diameter R, and the height dimension H. Specifically, this is calculated by the following formula. V = π(R / 2) 2 H...Equation (1) H=l―h ··· Formula (2)

[0016] The cylinder 11 of this embodiment has an upper end with an opening 11a and a closed bottom 13. The cylinder 11 is a cylindrical member having a predetermined height dimension H and a constant inner diameter R in the height direction. Therefore, the inner diameter is constant from the bottom 13 of the cylinder 11 upward in the height direction.

[0017] The measurement unit 9 includes a known central processing unit (CPU) 7, a known read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an electrically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM) for storing a predetermined program, a communication means 17a, and a battery 5 for supplying power to the measurement unit 9. The CPU 7 executes a control program stored in the ROM, etc., and an electrical signal including the acquired volume information of the object is transmitted by the communication means 17a. It is preferable to adopt BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) for the communication means 17a in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the electrical signal including the volume information of the object acquired by the fermentation testing apparatus 1 is received via a communication means 17b or a wired means provided in a terminal device (observer) such as a general-purpose personal computer 15 (PC) or a smartphone, which is separate from the fermentation testing apparatus 1.

[0018] The measurement unit 9 includes a protective lid 91 and a base 97 to which the protective lid 91 is attached. In a plan view, the protective lid 91 has a rectangular shape with rounded corners. Locking members 93a and 93b are provided on the four side surfaces of the protective lid 91. The locking members 93a and 93b are connected to the protrusions 97a to 97d of the base 97, so that the protective lid 91 is fixed to the upper surface side of the base 97. In a plan view, the distance sensor 3 is attached to approximately the center of the base 97. In addition, the part of the back surface 97e of the base 97 where the distance sensor 3 is arranged is made of a translucent material that can transmit the light irradiated by the distance sensor 3. In addition, when the base 97 is placed on the opening 11a of the cylinder 11, the internal space of the cylinder 11 is sealed. In addition, the CPU 7 and the battery 5 are placed on the base 97, and the CPU 7 and the battery 5 are covered with the cover 5.

[0019] Since the fermentation testing apparatus 1 is configured to be placed in the fermentation chamber 101, the protective top cover 91 and the base 97 are formed from a structure and materials that can withstand a humid environment.

[0020] Furthermore, it is preferable to use a one-way broadcast communication method as the communication means 17a from the viewpoint of power saving and simplification of the components. In particular, when using the measurement unit 9 in the overnight method (long-term fermentation at low temperature), the measurement time is relatively long, so broadcast, which consumes less power, is desirable. Furthermore, in a battery-driven configuration like this embodiment, power saving is essential. Moreover, compared to a two-way connection, broadcast can achieve power saving.

[0021] Needless to say, the advertisement transmission period can be appropriately set in order to transmit information by the communication means 17a. In addition, in BLE, the number of observers that can be connected to one broadcaster is not limited, but in the case of Bluetooth Classic, only seven observers can be connected to one broadcaster. Therefore, in cases where a large number of fermentation testing devices 1 need to be prepared, BLE is preferable.

[0022] Furthermore, the fermentation states of the bread doughs B1 and B2 are displayed on the monitor 21, which is the display section of the personal computer 15 in Fig. 1. The volumes of the bread doughs B1 and B2 are displayed as 1425cc and 1265cc, respectively. It goes without saying that the number of objects for measuring the fermentation state can be changed. In Fig. 2, the number of fermentation testing devices 1 placed in the fermentation chamber 101 is two, and they have the same configuration, but the number and dimensions of the fermentation testing devices 1 can be changed as appropriate.

[0023] In the fermentation inspection apparatus 1 configured as above, an inspector starts up the fermentation inspection apparatus 1 and performs an operation of inspecting the volume of the bread dough B1 and the bread dough B2. First, before the bread doughs B1 and B2 are put into the cylinder 11 shown in Fig. 2, the measurement unit 9 is operated and performs a zero point setting indicating that the height dimension H is 0. That is, in response to a drive signal from the CPU 7, infrared light is irradiated onto the bottom 13 from the light emitting element of the distance sensor 3 (infrared sensor in this embodiment). The reflected light reflected by the bottom 13 is received by the light receiving element. The CPU 7 calculates the distance l to the bottom 13 of the cylinder 11 when there is no target object, based on information on the output voltage that changes according to the distance of the optical path.

[0024] Next, after the bread doughs B1 and B2 are put into the cylinder 11, each fermentation inspection device 1 is placed in the fermentation chamber 101, and the fermentation inspection device 1 is driven.

[0025] The volumes of the bread doughs B1 and B2 are calculated by the CPU 7 based on information on the distance h between the top surfaces of the doughs B1 and B2 (the center of the bottom part 13 in a plan view) obtained by the distance sensor 3 and information on the preset inner diameter R. Furthermore, the CPU 7 calculates the volume V of B1 and B2 using the above-mentioned formula (1). Information on the volume V is transmitted via the communication means 17a at predetermined time intervals in response to a transmission command from the CPU 7, and is received by the personal computer 15 via the communication means 17b. When the volume V is acquired, the time elapsed since the start of fermentation, the unique number of the fermentation testing apparatus 1, the volume V, and other information are displayed in real time on the monitor 21 (see FIG. 2).

[0026] In addition, this embodiment is an example of adopting a program that displays the volume V on the monitor 21 in real time, but instead of or in addition to this embodiment, it is also possible to adopt a program that displays a graph showing the height H of the cylinder 11 of each fermentation testing apparatus 1 over time.

[0027] In this embodiment, the cylinder that contains the object is cylindrical, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, it can be changed as appropriate to a polygonal shape, an ellipse, etc. In addition, the internal dimensions of the cylinder do not need to be constant in the height direction of the cylinder, and the shape of the cylinder can be changed as appropriate as long as the volume of the internal space of the cylinder can be calculated.

[0028] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and any embodiment based on the technical concept of the present invention falls within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 1 Fermentation testing equipment 3. Distance sensor (measurement means) 5 Battery 7 CPU (measurement method) 9. Measurement Unit 11 Cylinder (cylindrical member) 11a opening 13 Bottom 15. Computer 17a, 17b Means of communication 21 Monitor 55 Cover 91 Protective Cover 93a, 93b Locking members 97e Back 97 Base 97a~97d Convex 101 Fermentation Room B, B1, B2 Bread dough R Inner shape (inner diameter) dimension H Height, distance

Claims

1. A cylindrical member having a predetermined inner dimension for accommodating an object; A measuring means for measuring a height dimension of the object; a measuring means for calculating a volume of the object based on the inner dimensions and the height dimension.

2. The fermentation testing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical members are multiple, and the apparatus is provided with a communication means having BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) for transmitting volume information regarding each of the multiple cylindrical members.

Images