Food shaping apparatus and food shaping method

Abstract

To provide a food shaping apparatus and a food shaping method capable of appropriately shaping food without the need of complicated control.SOLUTION: A food shaping apparatus for shaping food by a binder jet method includes: a lifting table having a mounting surface for mounting a powder for forming food and capable of performing lifting operation; and a carriage loading a head part for discharging at least an edible ink and a binder toward the mounting surface and relatively movable to the lifting table along the mounting surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a food shaping device and a food shaping method.

Background Art

[0002] The development of 3D printers for three-dimensionally shaping food is underway. For example, 3D printers that eject food using a screw, inkjet printers, and 3D printers that irradiate a mixture of food powder and water with a laser have been devised.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a method for three-dimensionally shaping food using starch powder as a raw material, including a step of mixing starch powder and water to provide a mixture of starch powder and water, a step of irradiating a part of the mixture with laser light to obtain gelled starch, and a step of taking out the gelled starch from the mixture.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the method for three-dimensionally shaping food described in Patent Document 1 as described above, for example, there is a problem that complicated laser control is required. For this reason, there is a demand for a technology for appropriately shaping food without requiring complicated control.

[0006] In view of the above problems, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a food shaping device and a food shaping method capable of appropriately shaping food without requiring complicated control.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a food shaping device according to the present disclosure is a food shaping device that shapes food by a binder jet method, and has a placement surface on which powder for forming food is placed, a lifting table capable of lifting operation, and a head unit that discharges at least edible ink and a binder toward the placement surface, and a carriage that is relatively movable along the placement surface with respect to the lifting table.

[0008] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a food manufacturing method according to the present disclosure includes a step of arranging powder for forming food on a placement surface of a lifting table to form a first powder layer, a step of flattening the first powder layer, a step of discharging edible ink and a binder from a head unit onto the first powder layer to form a first binder layer on the first powder layer, a step of lowering the lifting table and arranging the powder on the first powder layer on which the first binder layer is formed to form a second powder layer, a step of flattening the second powder layer, and a step of discharging the edible ink and the binder from the head unit onto the second powder layer to form a second binder layer in contact with the first binder layer on the second powder layer.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a food shaping device and a food shaping method capable of appropriately shaping food without requiring complicated control.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited by the embodiments described below.

[0012] In addition, in the present embodiment, the directions in the figure are described using the XYZ coordinate system. In the XYZ coordinate system, a plane parallel to the floor surface on which the food shaping device 100 is placed is defined as the XY plane. In this XY plane, the main scanning direction, which is the moving direction of the carriage 30, is denoted as the Y direction, and the direction orthogonal to the Y direction on the XY plane is denoted as the X direction. Further, the direction perpendicular to the XY plane (height direction) is denoted as the Z direction.

[0013] The outline of the food shaping device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the food shaping device according to the present disclosure. In FIG. 1, the main components of the food shaping device 100 are illustrated in order to explain the outline of the food shaping device 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the food shaping device 100 according to the present disclosure includes a housing 10, a lifting table 20, a carriage 30, a flattening roller 40, a guide bar 50, a carriage drive unit 33, and a control unit 70.

[0014] The housing 10 is the exterior of the food shaping device 100 and is a box for housing the components of the food shaping device 100. An operation unit (not shown) is provided on the housing 10. The operation unit receives various operations from an operator. The operation unit is provided with operation members, slots, etc. Examples of the operation members include buttons, dials, etc. The operation members may be formed such that the gap between them and the housing 10 is small. The slot is provided such that a storage medium for storing various data in the food shaping device 100 can be detachably attached.

[0015] The elevating table 20 is movable in the X direction and the Z direction by a table drive unit 22. A placement surface 20a is formed on the upper surface of the elevating table 20. The placement surface 20a is planar and arranged parallel to the XY plane. Powder for forming food is arranged on the placement surface 20a. Note that the food shaping device 100 is provided with a supply unit (not shown) for supplying powder to the placement surface 20a. The supply unit can further supply powder onto the layer of powder arranged on the placement surface 20a. In the present embodiment, the powder is edible powder. Examples of such powder include wheat flour, rice flour, starch powder, and the like. Note that in the present embodiment, powder in the form of powder is taken as an example for description, but it is also possible to use solid foods that are not in the form of powder, such as cooked rice, instead of the powder. Therefore, the placement surface 20a can arrange food materials including powder and solids. In this case, the supply unit can supply food materials including powder and solids onto the placement surface 20a and the layer of food materials arranged on the placement surface 20a.

[0016] The elevating table 20 can be raised and lowered, for example, a portion surrounded by a rectangular frame 21. The frame 21 is arranged to surround the periphery of the elevating table 20. The frame 21 holds the food materials arranged on the placement surface 20a without spilling. In other words, the frame 21 and the elevating table 20 function as a tray for holding powder. The frame 21 may also serve as a guiding portion for guiding the elevating table 20. For example, the frame 21 may have rails or the like for guiding the elevating table 20. In this case, by inserting a packing along the Z direction between the elevating table 20 and the rail, leakage of powder or the like can be suppressed.

[0017] The table drive unit 22 moves the elevating table 20 in the X direction and the Z direction. The table drive unit 22 includes an X drive system that moves the elevating table 20 in the X direction and a Z drive system that moves the elevating table 20 in the Z direction. The X drive system and the Z drive system each include a drive source such as a motor and a transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force of the drive source to the table. Examples of the transmission mechanism of the X drive system include a belt mechanism. Examples of the transmission mechanism of the Z drive system include a cam mechanism. The configurations of the X drive system and the Z drive system are not limited to the above, and other configurations may be used. In this embodiment, a configuration for moving the elevating table 20 in the X direction is taken as an example, but it is not limited to this configuration. A configuration for moving the carriage 30 in the X direction with respect to the elevating table 20 may also be used.

[0018] The head unit 31 ejects at least edible ink and a binder toward the placement surface 20a. The head unit 31 may eject a seasoning for adjusting the taste of the shaped food. Examples of such seasonings include various seasonings such as salt and sugar. Note that the seasonings are not limited to powders, and various seasonings such as liquids and granules can be used. The head unit 31 includes a plurality of heads on the bottom surface of the carriage 30. The plurality of heads are arranged side by side in the Y direction, which is the main scanning direction. Each head has a plurality of nozzles, and powders, edible ink, and a binder are ejected from the nozzles onto the placement surface of the elevating table 20. The plurality of nozzles are arranged side by side in the X direction to form a nozzle row. A plurality of nozzle rows are arranged in the Y direction.

[0019] Note that the edible ink includes color inks such as cyan, magenta, and yellow, black ink, and white ink. The edible ink may be aqueous edible ink, which may be prepared by dissolving a food coloring in a solvent composed of an edible solvent and water. The binder is selected according to the powder. The binder may be, for example, an edible paste. A plurality of types of binders can be prepared according to the relationship with the powder, such as the adhesion and affinity with the powder.

[0020] The supply unit 32 supplies edible ink and a binder to the head unit 31. The supply unit 32 has a cartridge 32a in which objects to be ejected such as edible ink, binder, and seasonings are stored.

[0021] The flattening roller 40 flattens the surface of the powder, for example, after placing the powder on the placement surface 20a. The flattening roller 40 may be realized by a solid cylindrical roller provided with a rotating shaft. The flattening roller 40 is formed such that the dimension in the X direction can cover the entire X direction of the elevating table 20. The flattening roller 40 can apply a force to push the powder placed on the placement surface 20a toward the placement surface 20a. In this case, the magnitude of the force for pushing the powder toward the placement surface 20a may be adjustable. By adjusting the magnitude of the force for pushing the powder toward the placement surface 20a, the texture of the food to be shaped can be changed.

[0022] The guide bar 50 is provided above the elevating table 20. The guide bar 50 is linearly provided along the main scanning direction parallel to the Y-axis direction. The guide bar 50 guides the reciprocating movement of the carriage 30 along the main scanning direction. By being guided by the guide bar 50, the carriage 30 can move in the main scanning direction from the left side to the right side in the main scanning direction.

[0023] The carriage drive unit 33 moves the carriage 30 in the main scanning direction with respect to the guide bar 50. The carriage drive unit 33 moves the head unit 31 in the main scanning direction by moving the carriage 30 in the main scanning direction. As the carriage drive unit 33, for example, a belt mechanism or the like can be used, but other configurations may also be used.

[0024] The control unit 70 includes a processor unit 71 including one or more CPUs (Central Processing Units) and a memory unit 72.

[0025] The memory unit 72 stores programs necessary for executing processes, data necessary for executing such programs, and the like. For example, the programs may be pre-installed in the memory unit. Alternatively, the programs may be installed in the memory unit by being downloaded via a network such as the Internet, or may be installed in the memory unit via a storage medium such as an optical disk or a USB.

[0026] The processor unit 71 controls the operation of the food shaping device 100. The processor unit 71 reads out the programs stored in the memory unit and executes those programs. As a result, the food shaping device 100 can function as a device that executes desired steps, and the processor unit 71 of the food shaping device 100 can operate as a means for achieving a desired function.

[0027] For example, the processor unit 71 comprehensively controls the operations of each part of the elevating table 20 and the carriage 30. While maintaining the relative positional relationship between the elevating table 20 and the head unit 31 in the sub-scanning direction, the processor unit 71 moves the head unit 31 in the main scanning direction and discharges ink or the like from the nozzle 31N. The processor unit 71 performs a discharging operation by controlling the nozzle 31N that discharges ink or the like without changing the relative positional relationship in the sub-scanning direction between the elevating table 20 and the head unit 31.

[0028] Next, a food shaping method using the food shaping device 100 according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 10. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the food shaping method according to the present disclosure. FIGS. 3 to 9 are schematic diagrams for explaining the food shaping process by the food shaping device according to the present disclosure.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, in the food shaping device 100 according to the present disclosure, the placement surface 20a of the elevating table 20 is arranged in advance at a position lowered by a predetermined height from the upper end of the frame 21 (step S10).

[0030] From this state, as shown in FIG. 4, the operator automatically places the powder P on the placement surface 20a by the supply unit from a container in which the powder is separately stored, and forms a first powder layer P1 with the powder (step S20). The powder is placed in a portion surrounded by the frame 21 on the placement surface 20a.

[0031] After forming the first powder layer P1, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper surface of the first powder layer P1 is flattened by the flattening roller 40, and the gap with the head portion 31 is adjusted (step S30).

[0032] After flattening the first powder layer P1, as shown in FIG. 6, edible ink and a binder are discharged onto the first powder layer P1 to form a first binder layer B1 on the first powder layer P1 (step S40). While relatively moving the elevating table 20 and the carriage 30 in the X direction and the Y direction, the binder is first discharged from the nozzle 31N of the head portion 31 toward the target area of the first powder layer P1. At this time, the binder is infiltrated to the lower end in the thickness direction within the first powder layer P1. By this operation, a core layer C in which the powder is bonded is formed in the target area of the first powder layer P1. After forming the core layer C, the core layer C is colored with edible ink by a procedure described later, so that a first binder layer B1 in which the powder is bonded and colored with the binder is formed on the first powder layer P1.

[0033] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7, the elevating table 20 is lowered by a predetermined height to form a space for placing new powder in a portion surrounded by the frame 21 on the upper surface of the first powder layer P1 (step S50). The amount of descent of the elevating table 20 can be set in advance according to the degree of infiltration of the binder, edible ink, etc.

[0034] From this state, as shown in FIG. 8, the operator automatically places the powder P on the first powder layer P1 from a container in which the powder is separately stored by the supply unit, thereby forming the second powder layer P2 (step S60). After that, as shown in FIG. 9, the upper surface of the second powder layer P2 is flattened by the flattening roller 40 (step S70).

[0035] After flattening the second powder layer P2, as shown in FIG. 10, the head portion 31 discharges the edible ink and the binder, and forms the second binder layer B2 on the second powder layer P2 so as to be in contact with the above-described first binder layer B1 (step S80). The food shaping device 100 repeats the formation of such powder layers and binder layers, and shapes the food by stacking a plurality of layers.

[0036] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of food shaped by the food shaping device 100 according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 11, the food E1 formed of white powder has a two-layer structure including a core layer C and a colored layer D. On the other hand, the food E2 formed of powder different from white has a three-layer structure including a core layer C, a white layer W, and a colored layer D. In the food E2, the white layer W is a layer of a binder colored white. Further, in the food E2, the colored layer D is a layer in which a part of the white layer W (for example, a part corresponding to the appearance surface) is further colored with color ink. In the food E2, when the powder is a color different from white, it is possible to prevent the color of the powder itself and the color of the edible ink from being mixed and becoming an inappropriate color.

[0037] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the coloring operation of the powder in the food shaping method according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 12, when powder is placed on the placement surface 20a of the lifting table 20 of the food shaping apparatus 100, the food shaping apparatus 100 determines whether the powder placed on the placement surface 20a is white (step S101). The determination as to whether the powder is white may be made by receiving an input of the color of the powder from the user via an operation button of the operation unit, or a camera may be provided in the food shaping apparatus 100 to discriminate the color of the powder by image recognition processing.

[0038] If it is determined in step S101 that the powder is white (step S101: Yes), when forming the first binder layer B1 and the second binder layer B2 (binder layer B), the food shaping apparatus 100 colors the core layer C by discharging color ink to form a colored layer D (step S102).

[0039] If it is determined in step S101 that the powder is not white (step S101: No), the food shaping apparatus 100 discharges white ink to the core layer C to form a white layer W, and discharges color ink to the white layer W to form a colored layer D, thereby coloring the white layer W (step S103).

[0040] Thereby, the powder can be bound by a binder adjusted to an arbitrary color. Further, when the powder is other than white, it is possible to prevent the color of the powder itself and the color of the full-color edible ink from being mixed to form an inappropriate color. Therefore, it is possible to provide a food shaping method capable of shaping a food appropriately colored in full color. Further, when the powder is white, since the color of the color ink is appropriately reflected, the color ink can be directly discharged onto the powder.

[0041] As described above, the food shaping device 100 according to the present disclosure is a food shaping device 100 that shapes food by a binder jet method, and has a placement surface 20a on which powder for forming food is placed, and an elevating table 20 capable of elevating operation, and a head portion 31 that ejects at least edible ink and a binder toward the placement surface 20a, and a carriage 30 that is mounted on the head portion 31 and is relatively movable along the placement surface 20a with respect to the elevating table 20.

[0042] According to this configuration, since food can be shaped by the binder jet method in which edible ink and a binder are ejected from the head portion 31 onto the powder placed on the placement surface 20a of the elevating table 20, it is possible to provide a food shaping device 100 that can appropriately shape food without requiring complicated control such as that of a laser.

[0043] In the food shaping device 100 according to the present disclosure, the powder is edible powder, and the edible ink includes black ink, white ink, and color ink.

[0044] According to this configuration, it is possible to bind the edible powder with a binder colored with full-color edible ink.

[0045] In the food shaping device 100 according to the present disclosure, the head portion 31 is capable of ejecting a seasoning for adjusting the taste of the shaped food.

[0046] According to this configuration, it is possible to season the food shaped by the food shaping device 100 using a seasoning. Therefore, it is possible to provide a food shaping device 100 that can shape food that is appropriately colored in full color and appropriately seasoned.

[0047] The food shaping device 100 according to the present disclosure further includes a flattening roller 40 that flattens the surface of the powder on the placement surface 20a.

[0048] According to this configuration, after placing the powder on the placement surface 20a, the surface of the powder on the placement surface can be flattened. Therefore, the food can be shaped into an appropriate shape. Thus, it is possible to provide a food shaping device 100 that can shape the food into an appropriate shape after being appropriately colored in full color.

[0049] The edible powder used in the food shaping device 100 according to the present disclosure contains at least one of wheat flour, rice flour, and starch powder.

[0050] According to this configuration, at least one of wheat flour, rice flour, and starch powder can be used as the edible powder. Therefore, various foods mainly composed of these powders can be shaped. Thus, it is possible to provide a food shaping device 100 that can shape various foods after being appropriately colored in full color.

[0051] In the food shaping device 100 according to the present disclosure, the head portion 31 can discharge a plurality of types of binders corresponding to the affinity with the powder.

[0052] According to this configuration, since the powder can be bound using a binder corresponding to the affinity with the powder, it is possible to provide a food shaping device 100 that can shape the food into an appropriate shape.

[0053] The food manufacturing method according to the present disclosure includes a step of arranging powder for forming food on the placement surface 20a of the elevating table 20 to form a first powder layer P1, a step of flattening the first powder layer P1, a step of discharging edible ink and a binder from the head portion 31 onto the first powder layer P1 to form a first binder layer B1 on the first powder layer P1, a step of lowering the elevating table 20, arranging powder on the first powder layer P1 on which the first binder layer B1 is formed to form a second powder layer P2, a step of flattening the second powder layer P2, and a step of discharging edible ink and a binder from the head portion 31 onto the second powder layer P2 to form a second binder layer B2 in contact with the first binder layer B1 on the second powder layer P2.

[0054] According to this configuration, the edible powder can be bound by a binder colored with full-color edible ink. Further, since the binder jet method is adopted as a food shaping technique, it is possible to shape food at low cost. Therefore, it is possible to provide a food shaping method capable of shaping a food appropriately colored in full color.

[0055] The food manufacturing method according to the present disclosure further includes a step of determining whether the powder arranged on the elevating table 20 is white. In the step of forming the binder layers of the first binder layer B1 and the second binder layer B2, a binder is discharged onto a target region corresponding to the food in the first powder layer P1 and the second powder layer P2 to form a core layer C. When the powder is white, the core layer C is colored by discharging color ink onto a part of the core layer C. When the powder is not white, a white layer W is formed by discharging white ink onto a part of the core layer C, and coloring is performed by discharging color ink onto a part of the white layer W.

[0056] According to this configuration, the powder can be bonded by a binder adjusted to an arbitrary color. Further, when the powder is other than white, it is possible to prevent the color of the powder itself and the color of the full-color edible ink from being mixed to form an inappropriate color. Therefore, it is possible to provide a food shaping method capable of shaping a food appropriately colored in full color. Further, when the powder is white, since the color of the color ink is appropriately reflected, the color ink can be directly ejected onto the powder.

[0057] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the embodiments are not limited by the contents of these embodiments. Further, the above-described components include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art, substantially the same components, and those within a so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the above-described components can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or changes of the components can be made without departing from the gist of the above-described embodiments.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0058] B1…First binder layer, B2…Second binder layer, C…Core layer, D…Coloring layer, E1, E2…Food, P1…First powder layer, P2…Second powder layer, W…White layer, 10…Housing, 20…Elevating table, 20a…Placement surface, 21…Frame, 22…Table drive unit, 30…Carriage, 31…Head unit, 31N…Nozzle, 32…Supply unit, 32a…Cartridge, 40…Flattening roller, 50…Guide bar, 60…Carriage drive unit, 70…Control unit, 71…Processor unit, 72…Memory unit, 100…Food shaping device

Claims

1. A food shaping device that shapes food by the binder jet method, comprising: a lift table having a placement surface for placing powder for forming food and capable of lifting; a carriage mounted with a head portion that discharges at least edible ink and a binder toward the placement surface and is movable relative to the lift table along the placement surface; A food shaping device comprising.

2. The powder is edible powder, The edible ink includes black ink, white ink, and color ink. The food shaping device according to claim 1.

3. The head portion is capable of discharging a seasoning for adjusting the taste of the shaped food. The food shaping device according to claim 1.

4. The food shaping device according to claim 1, further comprising a flattening roller for flattening the surface of the powder placed on the placement surface. The food shaping device according to claim 1.

5. The powder includes at least one of wheat flour, rice flour, and starch powder. The food shaping device according to claim 1.

6. The head portion is capable of discharging a plurality of types of the binder corresponding to the affinity with the powder. The food shaping device according to claim 1.

7. Forming a first powder layer by arranging powder for forming food on the placement surface of the lift table; Flattening the first powder layer; Discharging edible ink and a binder from the head portion onto the first powder layer to form a first binder layer on the first powder layer; Lowering the lift table and arranging the powder on the first powder layer on which the first binder layer is formed to form a second powder layer; Flattening the second powder layer; Discharging the edible ink and the binder from the head portion onto the second powder layer to form a second binder layer in contact with the first binder layer on the second powder layer. A food shaping method including.

8. The method further includes a step of determining whether the powder disposed on the lift table is white. In the step of forming the binder layers of the first binder layer and the second binder layer, the binder is discharged onto a target area corresponding to the food among the first powder layer and the second powder layer to form a core layer. When the powder is white, the core layer is colored by discharging color ink onto a part of the core layer. When the powder is not white, a white layer is formed by discharging white ink onto a part of the core layer, and the white layer is colored by discharging the color ink onto a part of the white layer. The food shaping method according to claim 7.

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