Shutter set for forming a coated food

Abstract

This shutter set presses a wrapper, which has been made to stand up around a filling, onto the filling in order to form a wrapped food item in which the filling has been wrapped with the wrapper, and includes a plurality of shutter pieces that are arranged in a circumferential direction. The plurality of shutter pieces include a first shutter piece and a second shutter piece. The first shutter piece includes a first section that presses a trunk section of the wrapped food item, and a second section that presses a shoulder section of the wrapped food item. The second shutter piece has a first section that presses the trunk section of the wrapped food item so as not to come into contact with the shoulder section of the wrapped food item. The first section of the first shutter piece and the first section of the second shutter piece form an opening of the shutter set.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for forming a coated food (such as shumai) in which an inner material is wrapped with an outer skin material.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a forming apparatus for shumai (coated food). Such a forming apparatus includes an extrusion device for extruding an inner material and a turntable disposed below the extrusion device. The turntable has pockets for receiving the inner material. The shumai skin, which is the outer skin material, is placed on top of the pockets and inserted into the pockets by a pipe of the extrusion device to form a cup shape. Then, the inner material is extruded from the pipe and filled inside the cup-shaped outer skin material to form a coated food having a head where the inner material is exposed. Thereafter, the formed coated food is taken out from the turntable.

[0003] In this forming apparatus, the coated food can only be formed into a cylindrical shape. Also, since the peripheral edge of the shumai skin protrudes above the inner material, the peripheral edge is bent towards the inner material by hand or the like to make it adhere to the inner material (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a forming apparatus for coated foods such as shumai and steamed buns. Such a forming apparatus includes a plurality of skin gathering members that are openable and closable so as to form a coated food having a head where the inner material is exposed by capturing the shumai skin supplied with the inner material from the side, and a plurality of shaping members that are openable and closable so as to arrange the upper part of the shumai skin of the coated food. This forming apparatus is configured such that the opening and closing operations of the skin gathering members and the opening and closing operations of the shaping members are interlocked via a link mechanism.

[0005] In addition, Patent Document 3 discloses a forming device for coated foods such as Chinese buns. Such a forming device includes a shutter device that gathers the peripheral edge of a flat outer skin material in which an inner material is disposed above the inner material and seals it in a protruding shape to form a coated food, and an elongation prevention device that is disposed below the shutter device and prevents the outer skin material of the coated food from extending outward. The shutter device includes a plurality of shutter pieces that can be opened and closed, and the elongation prevention device includes a plurality of shutter pieces for preventing elongation that can be opened and closed.

[0006] The shutter device forms the head of the coated food by gathering and sealing the peripheral edge of the outer skin material so as to cover the inner material. When the inner material is supplied to the outer skin material, the elongation prevention device receives the food dough piece so that the tip of the shutter piece for preventing elongation is set to a predetermined width and the outer skin material forming the body of the coated food does not extend outward (Patent Document 3).

[0007] In addition, Patent Document 4 discloses a forming device for forming coated foods such as anpan. Such a forming device includes a shutter device that seals the peripheral edge of a flat outer skin material in which an inner material is disposed. The shutter device includes a plurality of shutter pieces that can be opened and closed. On the side surface of this shutter piece, there are a leading edge portion that closes first in the closing operation of the shutter device and a trailing edge portion that closes later than the leading edge portion.

[0008] In the closing operation of the shutter device, each of the trailing edge portions of the shutter pieces gathers and seals (closes) the peripheral edge of the food dough piece so as to cover the inner material. The forming device forms the head of the coated food without the food dough piece protruding above the shutter piece, and thus wraps and forms the inner material with the outer skin material.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0009]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

[0010] The molding apparatuses described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 mold coated foods of a single size. When changing the size of the coated food, the members of each part involved must be replaced, so they lack versatility.

[0011] The molding apparatus described in Patent Document 2 must include a plurality of skinning members and a plurality of shaping members, so its structure is complex.

[0012] The molding apparatus described in Patent Document 3 must include two apparatuses, namely, a shutter apparatus for forming the head of the coated food and an anti-elongation apparatus for receiving the body of the coated food, so its structure is complex.

[0013] The molding apparatus described in Patent Document 4 includes a shutter apparatus for forming the head of the coated food, but the shutter apparatus does not contact the body of the coated food.

[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide a shutter set capable of reliably pressing an outer skin material toward an inner material, a method for molding a coated food, and a molding apparatus therefor in order to solve the above problems. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0015] The present invention is a method for molding a coated food, including a step of pressing a peripheral portion of an outer skin material in which an inner material is disposed against the inner material on an inner surface of each shutter piece by closing a shutter set including a first shutter piece and a second shutter piece, and the second shutter piece presses the coated food with an inner surface having a narrower vertical range than that of the first shutter piece.

[0016] Preferably, the first shutter piece presses the body and shoulder portions of the coated food, and the second shutter piece presses a portion of the body of the coated food different from the portion of the body pressed by the first shutter piece.

[0017] Preferably, the outer skin material is a polygon having corners and / or legs, and the first shutter piece presses a peripheral edge portion including the corners or legs of the outer skin material.

[0018] Preferably, the peripheral edge portion of the outer skin material is pressed by the first shutter piece and the second shutter piece that are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction.

[0019] Preferably, before the pressing step, the method includes a step of raising the peripheral edge portion of the outer skin material around the inner material by a peripheral edge raising member.

[0020] Preferably, before the pressing step, the method includes a step in which the central portion of the outer skin material where the inner material is disposed passes through a hole of a placement member, so that the peripheral edge portion of the outer skin material rises above the placement member.

[0021] Preferably, the central portion of the outer skin material is thicker than the portions other than the central portion.

[0022] Further, there is provided a forming apparatus for coated foods, including a shutter set including a first shutter piece and a second shutter piece, and a driving device for opening and closing the shutter set. The first shutter piece and the second shutter piece have an inner surface for pressing a peripheral edge portion of an outer skin material for disposing an inner material against the inner material, and the inner surface of the second shutter piece is formed lower than the inner surface of the first shutter piece.

[0023] Preferably, the inner surface of the first shutter piece has a first inner surface that inclines outward from above the first shutter piece downward, and a second inner surface that extends from the first inner surface to the bottom surface of the first shutter piece. The second shutter piece has an inner surface formed in the same shape as the second inner surface of the first shutter piece.

[0024] Preferably, the shutter set is arranged such that the first shutter piece corresponds to a corner portion and / or a leg portion of the outer skin material.

[0025] Preferably, the shutter set is arranged such that the first shutter piece and the second shutter piece are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction.

[0026] Preferably, it includes a peripheral edge standing member that stands up the peripheral edge of the outer skin material around the inner material.

[0027] Preferably, it includes a placement member that has a hole in the center and on which the outer skin material for placing the inner material is placed.

[0028] Preferably, it is provided with a device for molding the central portion of the outer skin material to be thicker than the portion other than the central portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0029] According to the present invention, when the shutter set including a plurality of shutter pieces is closed, the peripheral edge of the outer skin material in which the inner material is arranged can be pressed against the inner material by the inner surface of each shutter piece. Further, when pressing, the outer skin material deformed in a wave shape in plan view can be folded. Therefore, a coated food in which the outer skin material adheres to the inner material can be formed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030]

Figure 1

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Figure 7A

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Figure 9A

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Figure 10A

Figure 10B

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Figure 11A

Figure 11B

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10, a forming apparatus 1 for a coated food using a shutter set, which is a first embodiment of the present invention, will be described. The forming apparatus 1 is for forming a coated food P in which an inner material F is coated with an outer skin material D. For example, the outer skin material D is a thin wrapper material for shumai (shumai skin), the inner material F is cooked meat (filling), and the coated food P is shumai. The outer skin material D is square and includes a central portion DC near the center of the outer skin material D and constituting the bottom surface PU of the coated food P, and a peripheral portion DD other than the central portion DC. The peripheral portion DD includes four corner portions DE constituting the peripheries of the four corners.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the forming apparatus 1 includes an inner material supply device 2 and a coating device 3. The coating device 3 includes a base 21 and a plurality of devices attached to the base 21, that is, a supply conveyor 23, a shutter device 25, a support device 29, a carry-out conveyor 31, and a control device 33 for controlling each of these devices.

[0033] The inner material supply device 2 includes a belt conveyor 6 that conveys the outer skin material D formed into a thin sheet, a discharge portion 7 that supplies the inner material F onto the upper surface of the outer skin material D, and a supply device 8 that feeds the inner material F to the discharge portion 7. The discharge portion 7 has a nozzle 9 that can be moved up and down, and the nozzle 9 has a discharge port 10 at its lower end. The discharge portion 7 is configured to intermittently discharge a required amount of the inner material F from the discharge port 10.

[0034] The supply conveyor 23 is a belt conveyor for supplying the outer skin material D supplied with the inner material F to the shutter device 25, and its tip 24 is configured to be reciprocally movable along the conveying direction R between an advanced position (not shown) and a standby position (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0035] Furthermore, referring to FIGS. 3 to 4, the shutter device 25 includes a base plate 26 detachably attached to the base 21, a hole plate 27 (mounting member, mounting plate) detachably (replaceably) attached to the base plate 26, eight rotating shafts 15, and a shutter set 11.

[0036] The hole plate 27 is configured such that the outer skin material D is placed thereon. The hole plate 27 has a circular hole 28 at its center. The diameter of the hole 28 is selected according to the size of the coated food P to be formed. The eight rotating shafts 15 are arranged at equal intervals on a virtual circumference CC around the center C so as to surround the center C of the hole 28. The rotating shafts 15 are connected to an appropriate driving device via an interlocking mechanism such as a gear.

[0037] The shutter set 11 includes four first shutter pieces 4 and four second shutter pieces 5. The first shutter pieces 4 and the second shutter pieces 5 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction and are connected to the rotating shafts 15 via connecting members 13. The first shutter pieces 4 and the second shutter pieces 5 are configured to expand and contract (open and close) an opening 61 surrounded by the first shutter pieces 4 and the second shutter pieces 5 by swinging them synchronously by a driving device. The first shutter pieces 4 and the second shutter pieces 5 are arranged slightly away from the common upper surface of the base plate 26 and the hole plate 27 (shown in contact in FIGS. 9B, etc.). Details of the first shutter pieces 4 and the second shutter pieces 5 will be described later.

[0038] The support device 29 is a belt conveyor disposed below the shutter device 25, and is configured to support the central portion DC of the outer skin material D that constitutes the bottom surface PU of the coated food P and convey the coated food P to the unloading conveyor 31. The support device 29 has an endless conveyor belt 29A configured to be wound around a plurality of rollers and driven intermittently. The support device 29 is configured to be movable up and down, and for this purpose, it is connected to a driving device such as a servo motor so as to be interlocked therewith. The upper end position, the lower end position, and the lifting speed of the support device 29, as well as the driving timing and the driving speed of the conveyor belt 29A, are adjustable (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0039] The unloading conveyor 31 is a belt conveyor disposed adjacent to the downstream side of the support device 29 that has descended to the lower end position. The unloading conveyor 31 is configured to receive the coated food P from the support device 29 and further convey it to the downstream side (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0040] Next, with reference to FIGS. 5A to 8, the first shutter piece 4 and the second shutter piece 5 will be described in detail.

[0041] The first shutter piece 4 has an upper surface 4T, a lower surface 4U, an inner surface 4F located between the upper surface 4T and the lower surface 4U and configured to contact the outer skin material D, an outer surface 4G that forms a leading edge 4C together with the inner surface 4F, a side surface 4I adjacent to the inner surface 4F and configured to be recessed from the inner surface 4F, and other side surfaces 4S. The position of the leading edge 4C in a plan view is preferably determined such that when the first shutter piece 4 is swung, the leading edge 4C passes through the center C of the opening 61 of the shutter set 11.

[0042] On the lower surface 4U and the other side surfaces 4S, there are provided drive attachment portions 4H for attachment to the connecting member 13. The drive attachment portions 4H are, for example, recesses and holes, and are conventionally known, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0043] The inner surface 4F has an upper portion 41, a lower portion 45 positioned below the upper portion 41, and an intermediate portion 43 positioned between the upper portion 41 and the lower portion 45 (see FIG. 5D).

[0044] As mainly shown in FIGS. 5B and 6, the upper portion 41 is mainly composed of an upper edge 4A, a lower edge 41D (common with the upper edge 43A of the intermediate portion 43), and a leading edge 41C. The upper edge 4A extends from the base end 41B to the tip end 41E and is convex and arc-shaped in plan view. The upper portion 41 is a curved surface having the same contour shape in the vertical direction. Also, the leading edge 41C of the upper portion 41 is perpendicular to the upper surface 4T and constitutes a part of the leading edge 4C of the first shutter piece 4.

[0045] The intermediate portion 43 is mainly composed of an upper edge 43A (common with the lower edge 41D of the upper portion 41), a lower edge 43D, and a leading edge 43C. The upper edge 43A extends from the base end 43B to the tip end 43E and is convex and arc-shaped in plan view. The intermediate portion 43 extends obliquely downward so as to be drawn toward the lower portion 45 from the upper edge 43A to the lower edge 43D, that is, it is inclined toward the outside of the hole 28. The lower edge 43D extends from the base end 43F to the tip end 45E and is convex and arc-shaped in plan view. In plan view, the length of the lower edge 43D is longer than the length of the upper edge 43A. The leading edge 43C of the intermediate portion 43 is a curve that extends obliquely in the vertical direction from the tip end 43E (upper end) to the tip end 45E (lower end) and constitutes a part of the leading edge 4C of the first shutter piece 4. Also, in plan view, the width by which the lower edge 43D is drawn in with respect to the upper edge 43A becomes wider from the base end 43B toward the tip end 43E. As shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, in front view and bottom view, the intermediate portion 43 is projected as a substantially trapezoid having the upper edge 43A as the upper base and the lower edge 43D as the lower base. In the present embodiment, the longitudinal cross-sectional contour of the intermediate portion 43 is a concave curve, but it may be a straight line, a bent line, or a combination thereof.

[0046] The lower portion 45, together with the lower portion 55 of the second shutter piece 5 described later, constitutes the opening 61 of the shutter set 11 and includes an upper vertical portion 451 and a lower inclined portion 453.

[0047] The vertical portion 451 is mainly composed of an upper edge 45A (the tip side of which is common to the lower edge 43D of the intermediate portion 43), a lower edge 453A, and a tip edge 451C. The upper edge 45A extends from the base end 45B to the tip end 45E and is convex and arc-shaped in plan view. A part of the upper edge 45A is common to the lower edge 43D of the intermediate portion 43. The lower edge 453A extends from the base end 453B to the tip end 453E. The vertical portion 451 extends downward from the upper edge 45A to the lower edge 453A and is a curved surface having the same contour shape in the vertical direction. The tip edge 451C of the vertical portion 451 extends in the vertical direction from the tip end 45E (upper end) to the tip end 453E (lower end). The tip edge 451C is a straight line and constitutes a part of the tip edge 4C of the first shutter piece 4.

[0048] The downwardly inclined portion 453 is mainly composed of an upper edge (common to the lower edge 453A of the vertical portion 451), a lower edge 4D, and a tip edge 453C. The lower edge 4D extends from the base end 453F to the tip end 453G and is convex and arc-shaped in plan view. The downwardly inclined portion 453 is an inclined surface that extends obliquely downward from the vertical portion 451 to the lower surface 4U so as to be drawn in from the vertical portion 451. The downwardly inclined portion 453 and the lower surface 4U intersect at the lower edge 4D. In the present embodiment, the longitudinal cross-sectional contour of the downwardly inclined portion 453 is a convex curve, but it may be a straight line or a bent line, or a combination thereof. The tip edge 453C of the downwardly inclined portion 453 is a curve that extends obliquely in the vertical direction from the tip end 453E (upper end, the lower end of the tip edge 451C of the vertical portion 451) to the tip end 453G (lower end) and constitutes a part of the tip edge 4C of the first shutter piece 4. That is, the tip edge 45C of the lower portion 45 is composed of the tip edge 451C of the vertical portion 451 and the tip edge 453C of the downwardly inclined portion 453. Also, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5C, in plan view, the width by which the lower edge 4D is drawn in with respect to the upper edge 45A becomes wider from the base end 45B toward the tip end 45E.

[0049] The outer surface 4G of the first shutter piece 4 only needs to be configured so as not to interfere with the swinging of the second shutter piece 5, which will be described later, when opening and closing the shutter set 11. In the present embodiment, the outer surface 4G is concave in plan view.

[0050] As mainly shown in FIGS. 7B and 8, the second shutter piece 5 has an upper surface 5T, a lower surface 5U, an inner surface 5F which is located away from the upper surface 5T and adjacent to the lower surface 5U and configured to contact the outer skin material D, an outer surface 5G which forms a leading edge 5C together with the inner surface 5F, a side surface 5I which is adjacent to the inner surface 5F and the outer surface 5G and configured to be recessed from the inner surface 5F and the outer surface 5G, and other side surfaces 5S. The position of the leading edge 5C (the leading edge of the lower portion 55 described later) in plan view is preferably determined such that when the second shutter piece 5 is swung, the leading edge 5C passes through the center C of the opening 61 of the shutter set 11.

[0051] On the lower surface 5U and the other side surfaces 5S, a drive attachment portion 5H for attaching to the connecting member 13 is provided. The drive attachment portion 5H is formed in the same shape as the drive attachment portion 4H of the first shutter piece 4.

[0052] The inner surface 5F is constituted by a lower portion 55 corresponding to the lower portion 45 of the first shutter piece 4. Therefore, the upper edge 55A of the inner surface 5F of the second shutter piece 5 is at a position lower than the upper edge 4A of the inner surface 4F of the first shutter piece 4. Also, the leading edge 5C of the second shutter piece 5 is formed between the leading end 55E of the upper edge 55A and the leading end 553G of the lower edge 5D.

[0053] The lower portion 55, together with the lower portion 45 of the first shutter piece 4, constitutes the opening 61 of the shutter set 11, and includes an upper vertical portion 551 and a lower inclined portion 553. The vertical portion 551 and the lower inclined portion 553 are each formed in the same shape as the vertical portion 451 and the lower inclined portion 453 of the first shutter piece 4.

[0054] Specifically, the vertical portion 551 is mainly composed of an upper edge 55A, a lower edge 553A, and a leading edge 551C. The upper edge 55A extends from the base end 55B to the tip end 55E, and is convex and arc-shaped in plan view. The lower edge 553A extends from the base end 553B to the tip end 553E. The vertical portion 551 extends downward from the upper edge 55A to the lower edge 553A, and is a curved surface having the same contour shape in the vertical direction. The leading edge 551C of the vertical portion 551 extends in the vertical direction from the tip end 55E (upper end) to the tip end 553E (lower end). The leading edge 551C is a straight line and constitutes a part of the leading edge 5C of the second shutter piece 5.

[0055] The downward inclined portion 553 is mainly composed of an upper edge (the lower edge 553A of the vertical portion 551), a lower edge 5D, and a leading edge 553C. The lower edge 5D extends from the base end 553F to the tip end 553G, and is convex and arc-shaped in plan view. The downward inclined portion 553 is an inclined surface that extends obliquely downward from the vertical portion 551 to the lower surface 5U so as to be drawn in from the vertical portion 551. The downward inclined portion 553 and the lower surface 5U intersect at the lower edge 5D. In the present embodiment, the longitudinal sectional contour of the downward inclined portion 553 is a convex curve, but it may be a straight line or a combination of bent lines thereof. The leading edge 553C of the downward inclined portion 553 is a curve that extends obliquely in the vertical direction from the tip end 553E (upper end) to the tip end 553G (lower end), and constitutes a part of the leading edge 5C of the second shutter piece 5. That is, the leading edge 5C of the second shutter piece 5 (the leading edge of the lower portion 55) is constituted by the leading edge 551C of the vertical portion 551 and the leading edge 553C of the downward inclined portion 553. Also, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7C, in plan view, the width by which the lower edge 5D of the lower portion 55 is drawn in with respect to the upper edge 55A becomes wider from the base end 55B toward the tip end 55E.

[0056] The outer surface 5G of the second shutter piece 5 only needs to be formed so as not to interfere with the swinging of the first shutter piece 4 when opening and closing the shutter set 11. In the present embodiment, the outer surface 5G is concave in plan view.

[0057] When opening and closing the shutter set 11, the leading edge 45C of the lower portion 45 of the inner surface 4F of the first shutter piece 4 is configured to slide in contact with the inner surface 5F (lower portion 55) of the adjacent second shutter piece 5, and the leading edge 5C of the inner surface 5F (lower portion 55) of the second shutter piece 5 is configured to slide in contact with the lower portion 45 of the inner surface 4F of the adjacent first shutter piece 4. At this time, the lower portion 45 of the inner surface 4F of the first shutter piece 4 and the inner surface 5F (lower portion 55) of the second shutter piece 5 swing so as to approach and separate from the center C of the hole 28 of the hole plate 27, whereby the opening 61 of the shutter set 11 can be reduced or enlarged.

[0058] Next, the molding process of the coated food P by the molding apparatus 1 including the shutter set 11 of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0059] Place the square outer skin material D on the conveying surface of the belt conveyor 6 of the inner material supply apparatus 2. Note that the outer skin material D is placed so that the four corner portions DE of the outer skin material D transferred to the hole plate 27 face the inner surfaces 4F of the four first shutter pieces 4 as will be described later.

[0060] Start driving the belt conveyor 6 at a set timing. Stop the conveyance of the outer skin material D at a position where the center (intersection of the diagonal lines) of the outer skin material D coincides with the center of the discharge port 10 of the nozzle 9. Discharge a required amount of the inner material F from the discharge port 10 of the nozzle 9 onto the upper surface of the outer skin material D, and then separate the inner material F from the nozzle 9 to place the inner material F on the outer skin material D (inner material placement step or inner material arrangement step). Convey the outer skin material D on which the inner material F is arranged to the supply conveyor 23 of the coating apparatus 3 by the belt conveyor 6 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). In a plan view, it is desirable that the diameter of the discharged inner material F is smaller than the diameter of the hole 28 of the hole plate 27.

[0061] The tip 24 of the supply conveyor 23 has moved above the shutter set 11 and stopped at the extended advanced position covering the upper part thereof. Then, the outer skin material D is conveyed to a position where its center coincides with the center of the opening 61 of the shutter set 11, that is, the center C of the hole 28 of the hole plate 27, and is temporarily stopped there.

[0062] The tip 24 is retracted to the standby position in one go, and the outer skin material D placed on the tip 24 is dropped into the opening 61 of the shutter set 11 and transferred onto the hole plate (mounting member, mounting plate) 27 (transfer process). At this time, the four corners DE of the outer skin material D placed on the hole plate 27 are respectively opposed to the inner side surfaces 4F of the four first shutter pieces 4.

[0063] Referring to FIGS. 9A to 9C, after the outer skin material D on which the inner material F is placed is dropped into the opening 61 and the peripheral edge DD of the outer skin material D is landed on the hole plate 27, the central part DC of the outer skin material D on which the inner material F is placed is passed through the hole 28 of the hole plate 43 and supported on the support device 29 waiting at a required distance from the upper surface of the hole plate 43. At this time, the part of the peripheral edge DD of the outer skin material D close to the central part DC is bent so as to raise the peripheral edge DD of the outer skin material D upward by contacting the inner peripheral surface of the hole 28. Thus, the bottom surface PU of the coated food P is formed. Further, the peripheral edge DD is gathered toward the center as it rises upward and is deformed into a wave shape in plan view (raising process).

[0064] The driving mechanism starts the closing operation of the shutter set 11. That is, the first shutter piece 4 and the second shutter piece 5 are rotated synchronously toward the center C (the aperture 61 is narrowed). Referring to FIGS. 10A to 10C, when the shutter set 11 is closed and temporarily stopped at a position where the aperture 61 is not closed, the inner surfaces 4F of the four first shutter pieces 4 and the inner surfaces 5F of the four second shutter pieces 5 are in contact with the peripheral edge DD of the erected outer skin material D (temporary stop step of the closing operation). At this time, the wavy peripheral edge DD is pressed inward and folded by the inner surfaces 4F and 5F, and the peripheral edge DD is brought into close contact with the inner material F, thereby forming the coated food P (coating step).

[0065] More specifically, the first shutter pieces 4 and the second shutter pieces 5 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. Thereby, the inner surface 4F of the first shutter piece 4 is in contact with the peripheral edge DD of the outer skin material D including the corner DE, and the inner surface 5F of the second shutter piece 5 is located between the peripheral edges DD in contact with the inner surface 4F of the first shutter piece 4, that is, the peripheral edge DD not including the corner DE. The lower portion 45 of the first shutter piece 4 and the lower portion (inner surface) 5F of the second shutter piece 5 are in contact with the peripheral edge DD located below the shoulder PB and press the body portion PA of the coated food P over the entire circumference. That is, the body portion PA of the coated food P pressed by the lower portion (inner surface) 5F of the second shutter piece 5 is a body portion PA of a different part from the body portion PA of the coated food P pressed by the lower portion 45 of the first shutter piece 4. In this way, when the shutter set 11 presses and folds the wavy peripheral edge DD, the coated food P exhibits a wrinkled pattern.

[0066] In addition, the middle portion 43 of the first shutter piece 4 presses the periphery of the shoulder PB of the coated food P in contact with the peripheral portion DD including the corner DE of the outer skin material D. Note that the lower portion 55 of the second shutter piece 4 is configured not to contact the shoulder PB (inner material F) of the coated food P and does not press the shoulder PB. The bottom surface PU of the coated food P is supported by the support device 29, and the body portion PA and the shoulder PB of the coated food P are pressed by the shutter set 11. Therefore, the coated food P with the outer skin material D adhered to the inner material F can be formed (pressing step).

[0067] The shutter set 11 (the first shutter piece 4 and the second shutter piece 5) is preferably configured not to contact the inner material F of the coated food P. Specifically, the middle portion 43 of the first shutter piece is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape in a front view and a plan view so that the peripheral portion DD of the outer skin material D including the corner DE can be accommodated. Further, the inner surface (lower portion) 5F of the second shutter piece 5 does not have a portion corresponding to the upper portion 41 and the middle portion 43 of the first shutter piece 4 and is lower than the inner surface 4F of the first shutter piece 4. That is, the vertical range of the inner surface (lower portion) 5F of the second shutter piece 5 that presses the coated food is narrower than the vertical range of the inner surface 4F of the first shutter piece 4. As a result, the head portion PC of the coated food P is not covered by the outer skin material D. Also, at the shoulder PB of the coated food P above the inner surface (lower portion) 5F of the second shutter piece 5, the inner material F is exposed from between the peripheral portions DD of the collected outer skin material D (see FIG. 10C).

[0068] Next, the shutter set 11 is rotated away from the center C, that is, in a direction opposite to the closing operation, to release the coated food P and lower the support device 29 on which the coated food P is placed to the lowering stop position. Then, the coated food P is transferred from the support device 29 to the carry-out conveyor 31 and further carried out toward a secondary forming device, a heat treatment device, etc. (carry-out step).

[0069] Next, with reference to FIGS. 11A to 13, a forming apparatus 101 for a coated food P including a shutter set according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the components of the forming apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment, which are the same as those of the forming apparatus 1 for the coated food P according to the first embodiment, are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the forming apparatus 1, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. As shown in FIG. 11A, the outer skin material D2 includes a central portion DC near the center thereof and constituting the bottom surface PU of the coated food P, and a peripheral portion DD other than the central portion DC. The peripheral portion DD includes three leg portions DF extending radially from the central portion DC and arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the outer skin material D2 is substantially polygonal (substantially triangular).

[0070] The forming apparatus 101 includes an inner material supply apparatus 102 and a coating apparatus 5.

[0071] The inner material supply apparatus 102 includes a supply apparatus 8 disposed on the upper surface of the base 21 of the coating apparatus 5. The nozzle 9 is arranged such that its center coincides with the center C of the hole 28 (opening 61 through which the shutter set 11 opens and closes) of the hole plate 27. Further, the nozzle 9 is connected to a lifting apparatus 65 such as an air cylinder and is configured to lift up and down so as to be able to enter the opening 61. The downward stop position of the nozzle 9 is set above the upper surface of the hole plate 27 (mounting member, mounting plate).

[0072] The shutter set 11 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes three first shutter pieces 4 and three second shutter pieces 5, and the first shutter pieces 4 and the second shutter pieces 5 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction.

[0073] Next, a forming process of the coated food P2 by the forming apparatus 101 including the shutter set 11 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0074] Manually place the outer skin material D2 on the supply conveyor 23 of the coating device 3. Operate the supply conveyor 23 in the same manner as described in the first embodiment to drop the outer skin material D2 into the opening 61 of the shutter set 11 and transfer it onto the hole plate (placement member, placement plate) 27 (transfer process). Note that place the outer skin material D2 such that the three leg portions DF of the outer skin material D2 transferred onto the hole plate 27 face the inner surfaces 4F of the three first shutter pieces 4 respectively.

[0075] Operate the lifting device 65 to lower the nozzle 9 to the downward stop position above the outer skin material D2 and stop it. Then, discharge a required amount of the inner material F from the discharge port 10 (inner material placement process or inner material arrangement process). As shown in FIG. 11B, by discharging the inner material F at the center of the outer skin material D2, push the central portion DC of the outer skin material D2 through the hole 28 of the hole plate 27 so that the central portion DC of the outer skin material D2 is supported on the support device 29. At this time, raise the peripheral portion DD of the outer skin material D2 upward from the hole plate 43 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Thus, the bottom surface PU of the coated food P is formed. Also, the peripheral portion DD is deformed into a waveform in plan view (raising process). Thereafter, raise the nozzle 9 to the upward stop position (see FIG. 12).

[0076] The shutter set 11 is started to be closed by the drive mechanism to reduce the opening 61. The first shutter piece 4 and the second shutter piece 5 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction, and the first shutter piece 4 is arranged to face the leg portion DF of the outer skin material D2. Thereby, the inner surface 4F of the first shutter piece 4 contacts the peripheral edge DD of the outer skin material D including the leg portion DF, and the inner surface 5F of the second shutter piece 5 is located between the peripheral edges DD where the inner surface 4F of the first shutter piece 4 contacts, that is, the peripheral edge DD not including the leg portion DF. The lower portion 45 of the first shutter piece 4 and the lower portion (inner surface) 5F of the second shutter piece 5 contact the peripheral edge DD located below the shoulder portion PB and press the body portion PA of the coated food P2 over the entire circumference. That is, the body portion PA of the coated food P pressed by the lower portion (inner surface) 5F of the second shutter piece 5 is the body portion PA of a different part from the body portion PA of the coated food P pressed by the lower portion 45 of the first shutter piece 4. In this way, the shutter set 11 presses and folds the wavy peripheral edge DD inward.

[0077] In addition, the middle portion 43 of the first shutter piece 4 contacts the peripheral edge DD including the leg portion DF of the outer skin material D2 and presses the periphery of the shoulder portion PB of the coated food P2. The bottom surface PU of the coated food P is supported by the support device 29, and the body portion PA and the shoulder portion PB of the coated food P are pressed by the shutter set 11. Therefore, the coated food P2 with the outer skin material D2 adhered to the inner material F can be formed (coating process / pressing process).

[0078] The description of the shutter set 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention is generally as described above, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications may be made within the scope of the claims.

[0079] For example, in the above embodiment, the shape of the outer skin material was a square having four corner portions DE or a substantially triangular shape having three leg portions DF, but it may be a regular polygon such as an equilateral triangle or a regular hexagon, or it may be another substantially polygonal shape having a plurality of leg portions, or a substantially polygonal shape having both corner portions and leg portions. Further, the outer skin material may have a shape in which the distance from its center to the periphery is not constant, that is, a shape that is not circular (a portion where the distance from the center to the periphery is relatively long corresponds to the leg portion). In this case, the shutter set preferably includes a first shutter piece corresponding to the number of corner portions and / or leg portions and a second shutter piece. That is, the first shutter pieces and the second shutter pieces arranged in the circumferential direction do not have to be alternately arranged.

[0080] Further, according to the size (length) of the peripheral portion of the standing outer skin material in the coated food, not only two types of shutter pieces but also a plurality of types of shutter pieces can be appropriately selected. That is, the shutter set may include, for example, one or more types of first shutter pieces that press the shoulder portion and the body portion of the coated food, and / or one or more types of second shutter pieces that press the body portion of the coated food.

[0081] Also, the inner surface (lower portion) 5F of the second shutter piece 5 does not have to have the same shape as the lower portion 45 of the inner surface 4F of the first shutter piece 4. Specifically, the inner surface (lower portion) 5F of the second shutter piece 5 is formed according to the height of the peripheral portion DD of the outer skin materials D and D2 that stand up from the upper surface of the mounting member (hole plate 27). For example, the upper end of the inner surface (lower portion) 5F of the second shutter piece is lower than the upper end of the middle portion 43 of the first shutter piece (that is, higher than the upper end of the lower portion 45), and / or the lower end of the inner surface (lower portion) 5F of the second shutter piece may be higher than the lower end of the lower portion 45 of the first shutter piece. In this case, the vertical range of the inner surface of the second shutter piece that presses the coated food is narrower than the vertical range of the inner surface of the first shutter piece 4.

[0082] Further, the inner surface 4F of the first shutter piece 4 that presses the peripheral portion DD including the corner portion DE against the inner member F only needs to have at least an intermediate portion 43. That is, the entire inner surface of the first shutter piece may be configured to incline outward from above to below the first shutter piece. In this case, the intermediate portion of the first shutter piece includes a portion that presses the body portion of the coated food and a portion that presses the shoulder portion. Also, the inner surface of the second shutter piece is preferably configured to correspond to a part of the inner surface of the first shutter piece (the part that presses the body portion of the coated food).

[0083] Also, in order to mold coated foods P of various sizes, the closing operation of the shutter set 11 may be controlled to adjust the size of the opening 61.

[0084] Also, in the molding devices 1 and 101, a mounting member 27 having holes 28 is used as a peripheral portion standing member (peripheral portion standing device) that stands up the peripheral portion DD of the outer skin material D around the inner member F. However, for example, as the peripheral portion standing member (peripheral portion standing device), a plurality of rod-shaped or plate-shaped members passing through the holes of the table may be moved up and down from below the table on which the outer skin material D for arranging the inner member F is placed, or compressed air may be jetted upward from the holes of the table.

[0085] Also, although an embodiment in which the outer skin material D is a shumai skin and shumai is molded has been described, various coated foods may be molded. For example, a coated food in which the outer skin material D is a Chinese bun dough or a pie dough and the inner member F is a Chinese filling or a fruit filling may be molded.

[0086] Also, the central portion DC of the outer skin materials D and D2 may be made thicker than the surrounding portion (substantially the peripheral portion DD) other than the central portion DC. By making the central portion DC thicker, the dough thickness of the peripheral portion DD overlapping the body portion PA of the coated foods P and P2 and the dough thickness of the bottom surface can be made closer, and the texture can be improved. Also, when steaming the shumai and peeling it from the parchment paper, it is possible to prevent the outer skin material on the bottom surface of the shumai from being torn.

[0087] An example of an apparatus for molding a thick outer skin material D in the central part DC is a die-casting apparatus for press-molding a dough ball. The die-casting apparatus includes an upper die and a lateral die surrounding the upper die, and has a recess in the center of the lower surface of the upper die. Another example is an apparatus for molding thick portions of the dough thickness at predetermined intervals in a strip-shaped dough and cutting it into dough pieces. This apparatus forms a recess on the peripheral surface of the rolling roller, for example, when rolling a continuous strip-shaped dough with opposing rolling rollers.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0088] 4 First shutter piece 43 Intermediate portion (second portion) 43A Upper edge 43D Lower edge 45 Lower portion (first portion) 5 Second shutter piece 5F Lower portion (first portion) 5I Portion (second portion) 11 Shutter set 61 Opening D, D2 Outer skin material F Inner material P, P2 Coated food PA Trunk portion PB Shoulder portion

Claims

1. A shutter set for pressing an outer skin material erected around an inner material against the inner material to form a coated food in which the inner material is coated with the outer skin material, including a plurality of shutter pieces arranged in the circumferential direction, wherein the plurality of shutter pieces form an opening that can be expanded and contracted by swinging them, and include a first shutter piece and a second shutter piece, the first shutter piece includes a first portion that presses the body portion of the coated food and a second portion that presses the shoulder portion of the coated food, the second shutter piece has a first portion that presses the body portion of the coated food so as not to contact the shoulder portion of the coated food, A shutter set, wherein the opening is formed by the first portion of the first shutter piece and the first portion of the second shutter piece.

2. The shutter set according to claim 1, wherein the second portion of the first shutter piece has a surface that slopes outward from top to bottom and is connected to the first portion of the first shutter piece.

3. The shutter set according to claim 2, wherein the inclined surface has an upper edge and a lower edge that is longer than the upper edge.

4. The shutter set according to claim 1, wherein the height of the first portion of the first shutter piece is the same as the height of the first portion of the second shutter piece.

5. The shutter set according to claim 1, wherein the second shutter piece further has a second portion that is retractable from the first portion and is located above the first portion.

6. The shutter set according to claim 1, wherein the first shutter piece and the second shutter piece are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction.

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