Detection system, detection method, and food manufacturing method

Abstract

To reduce pressure drop loss when a fluid food product F flows into piping 22.SOLUTION: A detection system 30 which detects contaminant of a fluid food product F having viscosity before the fluid food product F is packed from piping into a container, comprises a slit nozzle 50 which is connected to the piping 22, extends in one direction and discharges the fluid food product F flowing from the piping 22 in film-like fashion, and detection means 52 which detects the contaminant of the fluid food product F discharged from the slit nozzle 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a detection system, a detection method, and a method for producing food. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a detection system has been known in the food manufacturing process that detects impurities in a food by photographing the surface of a fluid food (hereinafter referred to as "fluid food") with a camera after the fluid food is filled into a container and solidified.

[0003] However, this detection system cannot detect contaminants in or under opaque foods before or after they have solidified.

[0004] Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a detection system that detects impurities in liquid food before it is filled into a container and solidifies, in which a detection unit that detects the impurities is provided between pipes and is thinner than the pipes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3048049 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, if a detection unit that is thinner than the pipes is provided between the pipes, as in the detection system described in Patent Document 1, if the liquid food is viscous, the pressure loss will be large when the liquid food flows through the pipes.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and its purpose is to provide a detection system, a detection method, and a food manufacturing method that can reduce pressure loss when a fluid food flows through a pipe. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, a detection system according to a first aspect of the present invention is a detection system that detects impurities in a viscous fluid food before the fluid food is filled into a container from a pipe, and includes a slit nozzle that is connected to the pipe, extends in one direction, and ejects the fluid food flowing from the pipe in the form of a film, and a detection means that detects impurities in the fluid food ejected from the slit nozzle.

[0009] In addition, in the detection system according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the length of the slit in the slit nozzle in one direction is defined as the slit length and the length of the slit in the slit nozzle in a direction perpendicular to the one direction is defined as the slit width, the slit length is longer than the diameter of the pipe and the slit width is shorter than the diameter of the pipe.

[0010] In addition, in a detection system according to a third aspect of the present invention, a pump for flowing the liquid food is provided in the piping, and the slit width is set to a width that suppresses pulsation of the pump.

[0011] In addition, in the detection system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a mesh member for removing the impurities is provided in the piping upstream of the slit nozzle, and the mesh size of the mesh member is equal to or smaller than the slit width.

[0012] In addition, in the detection system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the fluid food solidifies at room temperature, and the detection system further comprises heating means for heating the slit nozzle.

[0013] In addition, the detection system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention further includes a receiving member for receiving the fluid food ejected from the slit nozzle, and a box member containing the slit nozzle and the receiving member therein, and the heating means heats the inside of the box member.

[0014] In addition, a detection method according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a detection method for detecting impurities in a viscous fluid food before the fluid food is filled into a container from a pipe, and includes a step of discharging the fluid food flowing from the pipe in a film form, and a step of detecting impurities in the discharged fluid food.

[0015] In addition, a food manufacturing method according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes the steps of discharging a fluid food flowing from a pipe in the form of a film, detecting impurities in the discharged fluid food, removing the detected impurities from the discharged fluid food, and filling a container with the fluid food from which the impurities have been removed. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce pressure loss when a fluid food flows through a pipe. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a partial configuration diagram of a food production system 1 including a detection system 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of a food manufacturing method including a detection method according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] 3 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of the detection and removal steps shown in FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In order to facilitate understanding of the description, the same components and steps in each drawing are denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0019] <Configuration> FIG. 1 is a partial configuration diagram of a food production system 1 including a detection system 30 according to this embodiment.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 1, food production system 1 includes a raw material section 10, a heating and mixing section 20, piping 22, a strainer 24 as a mesh member, a detection system 30, a damper 32 as a removal mechanism, a first hopper 34 as a receiving member, and a second hopper 36. Food production system 1 also includes a box member 40 and heating means 42. Note that Fig. 1 omits the configuration subsequent to first hopper 34, such as a filling section.

[0021] The raw material section 10 is a section in which food ingredients such as curry roux, stew roux, and thickened sauce are stored, and where the ingredients are appropriately measured and preliminarily mixed. The raw material section 10 includes, for example, a liquid section 12, a paste section 14, a powder section 16, and others 18. The liquid section 12 stores liquid as one of the ingredients. The paste section 14 stores paste as one of the ingredients. The powder section 16 stores powder as one of the ingredients. The others 18 stores, for example, seasonings as one of the ingredients. These liquid sections 12, etc. are connected to the heating and mixing section 20, and various ingredients are input from the liquid section 12, etc. to the heating and mixing section 20.

[0022] The heating and mixing section 20 is a section where various raw materials input from the liquid section 12 and the like are heated and mixed to produce a viscous, opaque fluid food F. A pipe 22 is connected to this heating and mixing section 20, and the fluid food is discharged from the heating and mixing section 20 to the pipe 22.

[0023] The piping 22 is a portion through which the fluid food flows up to a strainer 24. A pump, for example a rotary pump P, may be provided midway along the piping 22 in order to efficiently flow the fluid food.

[0024] The strainer 24 is a mesh member for removing impurities from the fluid food F. The strainer 24 is provided, for example, upstream of the detection system 30.

[0025] The detection system 30 is a system that detects impurities in the fluid food F before the fluid food F is filled into a container (not shown) through a pipe 22. The detection system 30 includes, for example, a slit nozzle 50 and a detection means 52.

[0026] The slit nozzle 50 is connected to the pipe 22 downstream of the strainer 24. The slit nozzle 50 extends in one direction and discharges the fluid food F flowing from the pipe 22 in the form of a film. Here, when the length of the slit in one direction in the slit nozzle 50 is defined as the slit length and the length of the slit in the slit nozzle 50 in a direction perpendicular to the one direction is defined as the slit width, the slit length is longer than the diameter of the pipe 22 and the slit width is shorter than the diameter of the pipe 22. In addition, the slit width is preferably set to a width (for example, 2 mm or less) that suppresses pulsation of the rotary pump P. In addition, the mesh size of the strainer 24 is preferably set to be equal to or smaller than the slit width.

[0027] The detection means 52 detects impurities in the film-like fluid food F discharged from the slit nozzle 50. The detection means 52 includes a camera 52A, an illumination means 52B, and a control device 52C. The camera 52A has a function of photographing the film-like fluid food F. The lighting means 52B has a function of illuminating the film-like fluid food F. The control device 52C has a function of detecting impurities in the film-like fluid food F by controlling the camera 52A and the lighting means 52B to obtain and analyze image data or video data of the film-like fluid food F.

[0028] The damper 32 is rotatable, for example, around an axis O. When the detection means 52 detects impurities, the damper 32 rotates (tilts) toward the first hopper 34, for example, and then returns to its original state, thereby discharging the fluid food F containing the impurities toward the second hopper 36. This removes the impurities from the fluid food F flowing toward the first hopper 34.

[0029] The first hopper 34 receives the film-like fluid food F discharged from the slit nozzle 50. The first hopper 34 is connected to a filling section (not shown), and the fluid food F received in the first hopper 34 flows into the filling section.

[0030] The second hopper 36 receives the fluid food F containing the impurities removed by the damper 32. The second hopper 36 is connected to a discharge section (not shown), and the fluid food F containing the impurities received in the second hopper 36 is discharged to the discharge section.

[0031] The box member 40 includes therein, for example, a strainer 24, a first hopper 34, a second hopper 36, a slit nozzle 50, a camera 50A, and a lighting means 52B.

[0032] The heating means 42 heats the inside of the box member 40, for example, by providing a heater inside the box member 40 and turning the heater on or introducing high-temperature air into the box member 40. This heats the slit nozzle 50 inside the box member 40. This heating means 42 is effective when the fluid food F solidifies at room temperature.

[0033] <Production process flow> FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of a food manufacturing method including the detection method according to this embodiment.

[0034] (Step SP10) In raw material section 10, the manufacturer or control device 52C executes a raw material preparation step in which various raw materials are prepared by measuring, premixing, preheating, etc. Then, control device 52C proceeds to the processing of the next step SP12.

[0035] (Step SP12) Controller 52C executes a raw material charging step of charging various raw materials from raw material section 10 into heating and mixing section 20. Then, controller 52C proceeds to the process of the next step SP14.

[0036] (Step SP14) The control device 52C controls the heating and mixing section 20 to heat and mix the various ingredients put into the heating and mixing section 20, thereby producing the fluid food F. Then, the control device 52C proceeds to the process of the next step SP16.

[0037] (Step SP16) The control device 52C controls the rotary pump P to cause the fluid food F to flow from the heating and mixing section 20 into the pipe 22, and then from the pipe 22 into the strainer 24, thereby executing a removal step in which relatively large impurities are removed in the strainer 24. Impurities that cannot be completely removed here are removed in a detection and removal step SP20, which will be described later. Then, the control device 52C proceeds to the processing of the next step SP18.

[0038] (Step SP18) The control device 52C maintains control of the rotary pump P to cause the fluid food F to flow from the strainer 24 to the slit nozzle 50, and then executes a discharge step of discharging the fluid food F in the form of a film from the slit nozzle 50. Then, the control device 52C proceeds to the processing of the next step SP20.

[0039] (Step SP20) The control device 52C detects impurities in the fluid food F discharged from the slit nozzle 50, and executes a detection / removal step of removing the detected impurities from the fluid food F discharged from the slit nozzle 50. Details of this process will be described later. Then, the control device 52C proceeds to the process of the next step SP22.

[0040] (Step SP22) The control device 52C controls a filling machine (not shown) to execute a filling step of filling containers with the fluid food F from which the impurities have been removed. Then, the control device 52C proceeds to the process of the next step SP24.

[0041] (Step SP24) The control device 52C executes a cooling step of producing food in the container by controlling a cooling device (not shown) to cool and solidify the fluid food, and then the control device 52C proceeds to the next step SP26.

[0042] (Step SP26) The control device 52C controls a sealing device (not shown) to apply a lid seal to the container, thereby executing a sealing step of sealing the container. Then, the control device 52C proceeds to the process of the next step SP28.

[0043] (Step SP28) The control device 52C controls a packing device (not shown) to execute a packing step of packing the containers into boxes.

[0044] <Detection and removal method flow> FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a detailed flow of the detection and removal step SP20 shown in FIG.

[0045] (Step SP20A) The control device 52C controls the lighting means 52B to be on, and illuminates the film-like fluid food F. Then, the control device 52C proceeds to the process of the next step SP20B.

[0046] (Step SP20B) The control device 52C controls the camera 52A to capture an image of the film-like fluid food F and obtain image data thereof. Then, the control device 52C proceeds to the process of the next step SP20C.

[0047] (Step SP20C) The control device 52C analyzes the acquired image data and detects whether or not there are impurities in the fluid food F. Then, the control device 52C proceeds to the process of the next step SP20D.

[0048] (Step SP20D) If the control device 52C has not detected any impurities, it ends the process shown in FIG. 3, and if the control device 52C has detected any impurities, it proceeds to the next step SP20E.

[0049] (Step SP20E) The control device 52C controls the damper 32 to tilt the damper 32 toward the first hopper 34, place the impurities on the upper surface of the damper 32, and then rotates the damper 32 toward the second hopper 36 to discharge the impurities into the second hopper 36, thereby removing the impurities from the fluid food F.

[0050] <Effects> As described above, in this embodiment, a detection system 30 that detects impurities in a viscous fluid food F before the fluid food F is filled into a container from a pipe 22 is provided with a slit nozzle 50 that is connected to the pipe 22 and extends in one direction, and that ejects the fluid food F flowing from the pipe 22 in a film-like form, and a detection means 52 that detects impurities in the fluid food F ejected from the slit nozzle 50. According to this configuration, it is possible to reduce pressure loss when the fluid food F flows, compared to a case where a detection section thinner than the pipes 22 is provided between the pipes 22. Also, since impurities in the fluid food F discharged from the slit nozzle 50 are detected, the detected impurities can be removed immediately, compared to a case where the impurities are detected inside the pipes 22.

[0051] In addition, in this embodiment, when the length of the slit in one direction in the slit nozzle 50 is defined as the slit length and the length of the slit in a direction perpendicular to the one direction in the slit nozzle 50 is defined as the slit width, the slit length is longer than the diameter of the piping 22 and the slit width is shorter than the diameter of the piping 22. According to this configuration, the thickness of the fluid food F discharged from the slit nozzle 50 can be made thin, so that the accuracy of detecting impurities can be improved.

[0052] In this embodiment, the pipe 22 is provided with a pump P for causing the fluid food F to flow, and the slit width is set to a width that suppresses pulsation of the pump P. According to this configuration, the fluid food F discharged from the slit nozzle 50 can be made more uniform, so that the accuracy of detecting impurities can be improved.

[0053] In this embodiment, a strainer 24 for removing impurities is provided in the pipe 22 upstream of the slit nozzle 50, and the opening of the strainer 24 is equal to or smaller than the slit width. According to this configuration, since impurities larger than the slit width are removed by the strainer 24, it is possible to prevent the slit nozzle 50, which is located downstream of the strainer 24, from being clogged with impurities. As a result, it is possible to improve the accuracy of detecting impurities.

[0054] In this embodiment, the fluid food F solidifies at room temperature, and the device further includes a heating means 42 for heating the slit nozzle 50. According to this configuration, solidification of the fluid food F inside the slit nozzle 50 can be suppressed.

[0055] In addition, this embodiment further includes a first hopper 34 that receives the fluid food F ejected from the slit nozzle 50, and a box member 40 that contains the slit nozzle 50 and the first hopper 34 inside, and a heating means 42 heats the inside of the box member 40. According to this configuration, the fluid food F can be prevented from solidifying near the slit nozzle 50 and the first hopper 34, and the fluid food F can be prevented from losing its flavor due to exposure to the outside.

[0056] <Modification> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. In other words, the above-described embodiment may be modified by a person skilled in the art as appropriate, and the modifications may be included within the scope of the present invention as long as they include the characteristics of the present invention. In addition, the elements of the above-described embodiment and the modifications described below may be combined to the extent technically possible, and the combinations of these may be included within the scope of the present invention as long as they include the characteristics of the present invention.

[0057] For example, in the above embodiment, the food production system 1 includes the box member 40 and the heating means 42, but these may be omitted.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the box member 40 includes the strainer 24, the slit nozzle 50, the first hopper 34, and the second hopper 36 therein, but the box member 40 may include the slit nozzle 50 and the first hopper 34 therein. The box member 40 may include at least the slit nozzle 50 therein.

[0059] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a case has been described in which one slit nozzle 50 is connected to the pipe 22, but when the flow rate of the fluid food F is high, a plurality of slit nozzles 50 may be connected in parallel to the pipe 22. With this configuration, the flow of the fluid food F discharged from the slit nozzle 50 can be made more stable and uniform than when the slit length of one slit nozzle 50 is increased as the flow rate of the fluid food F increases, thereby improving the accuracy of detecting impurities.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the slit width of the slit nozzle 50 is set to a width that suppresses the pulsation of the rotary pump P, but instead of or in addition to setting the slit width to a width that suppresses the pulsation, other means for suppressing the pulsation may be provided. Specifically, examples of such other means include providing a drop in the piping 22, providing a tank for storing the fluid food F in the piping 22 between the rotary pump P and the strainer 24, and adjusting (e.g., pressurizing) the tank. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 30: detection system, 50: slit nozzle, 52: detection means

Claims

1. A detection system for detecting contaminants in a viscous fluid food, comprising: a slit nozzle connected to a pipe, extending in one direction, and discharging the fluid food flowing from the pipe in a film form; A detection means for detecting impurities in the fluid food discharged from the slit nozzle; Equipped with The slit nozzle is formed in a shape that satisfies the relationship 2L+2W>CL, where L is the length of the slit in the one direction in the slit nozzle, W is the length of the slit in the slit nozzle in a direction perpendicular to the one direction, and CL is the circumferential length of the connection point of the piping with the slit nozzle, The slit length L is longer than the diameter of the pipe, and the slit width W is shorter than the diameter of the pipe. Detection system.

2. The piping is provided with a pump for flowing the fluid food, The slit width W is set to a width that suppresses pulsation of the pump. The detection system of claim 1 .

3. a mesh member for removing the impurities is provided in the piping upstream of the slit nozzle, The mesh size of the mesh member is equal to or smaller than the slit width W.

3. A detection system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The fluid food solidifies at room temperature, A heating means for heating the slit nozzle; The detection system of claim 1 , further comprising:

5. A receiving member for receiving the fluid food discharged from the slit nozzle; a box member containing the slit nozzle and the receiving member therein; Further comprising: The heating means heats the inside of the box member. The detection system of claim 4.

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