Liquid ejection head, liquid supply system including said ejection head, and stringy food manufacturing device including said supply system

Abstract

To provide a discharge head capable of efficiently discharging a high-viscosity raw material while hardly causing foam entrapment, a supply system, and a thready food manufacturing apparatus comprising them.SOLUTION: A discharge head for discharging a liquid includes: a body part 11 having a hole 12; a protrusion 13 with an apex, which is provided almost in center of the bottom of the hole 12; a hole 14 which is provided near an outer edge of the bottom of the protrusion 13 and which communicates the hole of the body part with the outside; and a pipe 15 which is communicated with the hole opened in the body part and which protrudes to the outside of the body part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection head, a liquid supply system including the ejection head, and a stringy food manufacturing device including the supply system. [Background technology]

[0002] Methods for producing seaweed-based thread-like foods have been known for some time. Seaweed-based thread-like foods are popular for their low calorie and chewy texture, and are eaten as a garnish for sashimi, in salads, and the like.

[0003] Methods for producing such thread-like foods have been extensively studied. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for producing seaweed noodles in which gelled seaweed ingredients are extruded from multiple discharge nozzles into a coagulating liquid to produce noodles. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a thread-like food production device that includes a winding tube configured to ensure a predetermined flow path length by stacking tubes equipped with an inlet and an outlet while winding them around a vertical axis, allowing a fluid to pass through the tube. When producing seaweed noodles using the production device in Patent Document 2, thread-like seaweed noodles before coagulation are supplied and coagulated by the coagulating liquid circulating inside the winding tube. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-319098 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-304381 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In both of the methods disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is necessary to supply an aqueous solution containing a seaweed-derived component, such as carrageenan, into a coagulating liquid such as an aqueous sodium alginate solution. However, when attempting to extrude thin noodles using the method of Patent Document 1, the nozzle that supplies the aqueous solution is immersed in the coagulating liquid, which easily becomes clogged, resulting in a problem of reduced production efficiency of seaweed noodles.

[0006] Furthermore, in the manufacturing apparatus of Patent Document 2, the aqueous solution is discharged from a discharge nozzle, which is a hollow disk member with numerous small holes formed on its underside. However, the aqueous solution containing carrageenan is a liquid with a relatively high viscosity and thixotropy. Therefore, if the liquid adheres to the inner wall of the hollow disk member, it remains attached to the wall because no shear force is applied to the liquid. Furthermore, if bubbles are generated in the hollow portion of the discharge nozzle, the generated bubbles remain in the highly thixotropic liquid and cannot be removed, resulting in the liquid being discharged along with the bubbles. If the liquid discharged together with the bubbles solidifies in the coagulating liquid, the stringy food will contain bubbles, which causes problems that adversely affect the appearance and texture of the resulting stringy food. Therefore, there is a strong demand for a technology that can solve the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] As a result of extensive research, the inventors have found that the above problems can be solved by using a discharge head with a specific structure, and have arrived at the present invention. That is, the present invention provides: [1] A main body having a hole; a protrusion having an apex provided at approximately the center of the bottom of the hole; a hole provided near the bottom outer edge of the protrusion, the hole in the main body communicating with the outside; a tube communicating with the hole formed in the main body and protruding to the outside of the main body; a discharge head for discharging a liquid, [2] Furthermore, a sloped portion A provided near the bottom outer edge of the protrusion; and Inclined portion B provided near the lower end of the inner wall forming the hole, The ejection head according to [1], wherein the hole formed in the main body portion is located at a position where the inclined portion A and the inclined portion B intersect. [3] The discharge head according to [1] or [2], wherein the length from the base to the tip of the tube protruding outside the main body is three times or more the inner diameter of the tube. [4] The ejection head according to any one of [1] to [3], a supply pipe connected to the ejection head and configured to supply a liquid; a liquid supply system, characterized in that, when the supply pipe on the liquid supply side is viewed in an axial direction, an apex of a protrusion on the ejection head is located at a position that can be seen through the supply pipe; [5] The liquid supply system according to [4], wherein the axial center of the supply pipe on the liquid supply side is located at a position corresponding to the apex of a protrusion on the ejection head; [6] A thread-like food manufacturing apparatus including a reaction tube having an inlet and an outlet and a predetermined flow path length, characterized in that the inlet side is provided with the supply system according to [4] or [5]. Regarding. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The ejection head of the present invention can supply the liquid to be coagulated to the coagulation liquid without immersion in the coagulation liquid, thereby minimizing clogging of the ejection head pores, even when ejecting a thin, elongated liquid. Furthermore, the ejection head of the present invention, due to its structure, can remove bubbles generated in the liquid to be coagulated within the head, thereby reducing the amount of bubbles contained in the ejected liquid even when ejecting a highly viscous liquid, thereby minimizing the possibility of defects in the resulting stringy food product. Furthermore, even when ejecting a highly viscous liquid, such as a thixotropic liquid, the amount of the liquid remaining inside the head due to adhesion to the interior of the ejection head, for example, on the inner wall, can be minimized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1A is a front view of a discharge head of the present invention, (B) a plan view, (C) a rear view, and (D) a cross-sectional view taken along line AB in (B). [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a discharge head having a configuration different from that of FIG. [Figure 3] 1 and 2, (B) is an enlarged view of the dotted line portion in (A), and (C) is an enlarged view of a configuration different from that of (B). [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a discharge head having a configuration different from those of FIGS. [Figure 5] (A) is a front view of the supply pipe, (B) is a plan view, and (C) is a back view. [Figure 6] (A) is a front view of the supply system, (B) is a plan view, and (C) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-D in (B). [Figure 7] FIG. 1A is a schematic front view of a thread-like food manufacturing apparatus, and FIG. 1B is a schematic plan view thereof. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention will be described below based on specific embodiments with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings and the following description are merely for explaining one embodiment of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention in any way. In addition, the terms "up and down," "front and back," and "left and right" in the text refer to the directions shown in the drawings.

[0011] 1. Discharge head 1 One embodiment of the discharge head of the present invention is shown in Figure 1. Discharge head 1 of the present invention includes a main body 11 having a hole 12, a protrusion 13 having an apex provided approximately at the center of the bottom of hole 12, a hole 14 provided near the outer edge of the bottom of protrusion 13 and connecting hole 12 in main body 11 to the outside, and a tube 15 communicating with hole 14 opened in main body 11 and protruding outside main body 11. Each component will be described below.

[0012] (1) Main body 11 The shape of the main body 11 is not particularly limited, and can be changed as appropriate depending on the type and viscosity of the liquid to be discharged, as well as the use, purpose, and size of the device to which the discharge head 1 is attached. A specific shape may be a plate-like shape with a thickness that is a circle, including an ellipse, or a polygon, such as a triangle, square, pentagon, or hexagon, when viewed from a plane. In the example of Figure 1, the main body 11 is disk-shaped with a thickness. The size of the main body 11 is also not particularly limited, and can be changed as appropriate depending on the type and viscosity of the liquid to be discharged, as well as the use, purpose, and size of the device to which the discharge head 1 is attached. When the disk-shaped discharge head 1 shown in Figure 1 is used as the discharge head 1 for use in the thread-like food manufacturing apparatus, the specific size is, for example, approximately 100 mm in diameter and approximately 40 mm in thickness.

[0013] There are no particular restrictions on the material from which the main body 11 is made, and it can be changed as appropriate depending on the type and viscosity of the liquid to be discharged, as well as the use, purpose, and size of the device to which the discharge head 1 is attached. Specific examples of such materials include metal materials such as iron, aluminum, and stainless steel, and synthetic resins such as silicone resin, urethane resin, acrylic resin, polypropylene resin, and polyethylene terephthalate resin. When the discharge head 1 is used in a stringy food manufacturing device, forming the main body 11 from silicone resin can minimize food hygiene problems related to the stringy food being manufactured.

[0014] (2) Hole 12 The hole 12 is formed in the main body 11. In the example of FIG. 1, the hole 12 is formed in the thickness direction (the up-and-down direction in FIG. 1(A)) at approximately the center when viewed from the plane of the main body 11. The hole 12 formed in the main body 11 does not penetrate the main body 11 and has a bottom 121. There is no particular restriction on the position of the hole 12 in the main body 11, but it is more preferable to form the hole 12 in the center when viewed from the plane of the main body 11, as this makes it easier to attach the ejection head 1. There is also no particular restriction on the size of the hole 12, and it can be changed as appropriate depending on the type and viscosity of the liquid to be ejected, the use, purpose and size of the device to which the ejection head 1 is attached, the material of the main body 11, the strength required of the ejection head 1, etc.

[0015] (3)Protrusion 13 The protrusion 13 is a protrusion with an apex provided approximately in the center of the bottom 121 of the hole 12. By providing the protrusion 13 with an apex, as will be described later, when a relatively viscous liquid, particularly a thixotropic liquid, is poured into the apex, a shear force is generated by the inclination of the protrusion 13, and the liquid does not remain on the surface of the protrusion 13, and the liquid can be efficiently poured down to the bottom 121 of the hole 12. In addition, as the liquid flows down the inclination of the protrusion 13, air bubbles contained in the liquid rise within the liquid and are removed, thereby significantly reducing the number of bubbles contained in the liquid ejected from the ejection head 1.

[0016] There are no particular limitations on the material from which the protrusions 13 are formed, and the material can be appropriately changed depending on the type and viscosity of the liquid to be discharged, as well as the use, purpose, and size of the device to which the discharge head 1 is attached. Specific examples of such materials include metal materials such as iron, aluminum, and stainless steel, and synthetic resins such as silicone resin, urethane resin, acrylic resin, polypropylene resin, and polyethylene terephthalate resin. When the discharge head 1 is used in a stringy food manufacturing device, forming the main body 11 from silicone resin can minimize food hygiene issues related to the stringy food being manufactured. Furthermore, by integrally forming the main body 11 and the protrusions 13 from the same material, the discharge head 1 can be manufactured more efficiently.

[0017] The number of protrusions 13 may be one or more. However, as will be described later, when discharging a highly viscous liquid, by using only one protrusion 13, in other words, by using only one apex instead of one, the flow of the liquid can be made smoother and the accumulation of liquid between the protrusions, which occurs when multiple protrusions 13 are provided, can be more effectively prevented. The shape of the protrusions 13 is not particularly limited, provided that the shape has an apex. As shown in FIG. 1(C), the protrusions 13 are inclined from the apex to the bottom, which generates a shear force in the liquid flowing over the surface of the protrusions 13, allowing even thixotropic liquids to flow smoothly and making it easier to remove any bubbles that may have formed. When the protrusions 13 are inclined, the angle of the inclination is not particularly limited. As a specific example of the angle, for example, the interior angle of the inclination of the protrusions 13 relative to the bottom 121 is 25 to 35 degrees.

[0018] Specific shapes of such protrusions 13 include, for example, polygonal pyramid shapes such as triangular, square, pentagonal, or hexagonal pyramids, and conical shapes including ellipses. In Fig. 1, protrusions 13 are conical. As shown in Fig. 1, the slope generated from the apex of protrusion 13 may continue to bottom 121 of hole 12, or as shown in Fig. 2, the slope may end midway so that a vertical wall extends from the end of the slope to bottom 121 of hole 12.

[0019] (4) Hole 14 The hole 14 is provided near the outer edge of the bottom of the protrusion 13, and connects the hole 12 of the main body 11 to the outside. As shown in FIG. 1 , the hole 14 is opened at the bottom 121 of the hole 12, near the bottom of the protrusion 13, in other words, near the intersection of the slope of the protrusion 13 and the bottom 121, so as to connect the hole 12 to the outside of the main body 11. By opening the hole 14 at such a location, the liquid supplied into the hole 12 flows down the front side of the protrusion 13 and into the hole 14, allowing the liquid to be supplied by the ejection head 1 more efficiently. There is no particular limitation on the size of the hole 14, and it can be changed as appropriate depending on the type and viscosity of the liquid to be ejected, as well as the use, purpose, and size of the device to which the ejection head 1 is attached. A specific cross-sectional area of ​​the hole 14 is, for example, 3.14 to 78.5 mm 2 are shown. There are no particular limitations on the cross-sectional shape of the holes 14, and the shape can be changed as appropriate depending on the type and viscosity of the liquid to be discharged, as well as the use, purpose, and size of the device to which the discharge head 1 is attached. Specific cross-sectional shapes of the holes 14 include polygons such as triangles, squares, pentagons, and hexagons, and circles including ellipses. There are no particular limitations on the direction in which the holes 14 are drilled, provided that the supply of liquid from the discharge head 1 is not excessively hindered. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, by drilling the holes in the up-down direction (vertical direction) of the discharge head 1, the liquid can be discharged more smoothly from the discharge head 1.

[0020] There is no particular limit to the number of holes 14, and the number can be changed as appropriate depending on the type and viscosity of the liquid to be ejected, as well as the use, purpose, and size of the device to which the ejection head 1 is attached. By providing two or more holes 14, it is possible to further improve the efficiency of ejecting liquid from the ejection head 1. For example, as shown in Figure 1, eight holes may be opened so as to evenly surround the bottom periphery of the protrusion 13.

[0021] An inclined portion A17 may be provided near the outer edge of the bottom of the protrusion 13, and an inclined portion B18 may be provided near the lower end of the inner wall forming the hole 12, with a hole 14 provided at the point where the inclined portion A17 and the inclined portion B18 intersect. As shown in FIG. 3 , the inclined portion A17 is provided near the lower end of the wall of the main body 11 forming the hole 12, and the inclined portion B18 is provided near the outer edge of the bottom of the protrusion 13, in other words, on the bottom 121 near where the inclination of the protrusion 13 ends. A hole 14 is opened at the point where the inclined portion A17 and the inclined portion B18 intersect. With this configuration, even when a liquid having a relatively high viscosity and thixotropy is supplied to the hole 12, a shear force due to the inclination acts on the liquid that has flowed into the inclined portion A17 and the inclined portion B18, making it easier for the supplied liquid to flow into the hole 14. As shown in Fig. 3(B), the inclined portion B18 may be formed independently of the inclination of the protrusion 13, or the inclination of the protrusion 13 may be continuous with the inclined portion B18. In addition, the inclined portion A17 and / or the inclined portion B18 may have a straight line shape as shown in Fig. 3(B), or may have a curved shape (having an R) as shown in Fig. 3(C).

[0022] (5) Pipe 15 Pipe 15 is a pipe that communicates with hole 14 formed in main body 11 and protrudes to the outside of main body 11. As shown in Fig. 1, pipe 15 is provided at a position corresponding to hole 14 formed in main body 11, and protrudes to the outside of main body 11. There are no particular limitations on the method for attaching pipe 15 to main body 11. For example, one end of pipe 15 may be adhered near the outlet of hole 14 with silicone caulking or the like, or pipe 15 may be inserted into hole 14 and fixed as shown in Fig. 4.

[0023] There are no particular restrictions on the material from which the tube 15 is made, and it can be changed as appropriate depending on the type and viscosity of the liquid to be discharged, as well as the use, purpose, and size of the device to which the discharge head 1 is attached. Specific examples of such materials include metal materials such as iron, aluminum, and stainless steel, and synthetic resins such as silicone resin, urethane resin, acrylic resin, polypropylene resin, and polyethylene terephthalate resin. When the discharge head 1 is used in a stringy food manufacturing device, forming the tube 15 from stainless steel makes it easier to obtain the tube 15 and minimizes food hygiene issues related to the stringy food being manufactured.

[0024] The cross-sectional shape of the tube 15 is not particularly limited and can be changed as needed depending on the type and viscosity of the liquid to be discharged, as well as the application, purpose, and size of the device to which the discharge head 1 is attached. Specific cross-sectional shapes of the tube 15 include polygons such as triangles, rectangles, pentagons, and hexagons, and circles including ellipses. The inner diameter of the tube 15 (the diameter if the cross-sectional shape is circular, the longest inner diameter if the cross-sectional shape is elliptical, and the length of the diagonal if the cross-sectional shape is polygonal) is also not particularly limited and can be changed as needed depending on the type and viscosity of the liquid to be discharged, as well as the application, purpose, and size of the device to which the discharge head 1 is attached. Specific values ​​for the inner diameter include, for example, 1.0 to 5.0 mm. The length by which the tube 15 protrudes from the main body 11 (L1 in FIG. 4) is also not particularly limited and can be changed as needed depending on the type and viscosity of the liquid to be discharged, as well as the application, purpose, and size of the device to which the discharge head 1 is attached. Specific values ​​for the protruding length of the tube 15 include, for example, 30 to 100 mm.

[0025] Furthermore, it is preferable that the length from the base to the tip of the tube 15 protruding outside the main body 11 (L1 in Figure 4) is three times or more its inner diameter (D1 in Figure 4), because this minimizes the risk of the liquid being ejected in a thread-like form and splashing around, even when a liquid with a relatively low viscosity is ejected.

[0026] (6) 16 screw holes One or more screw holes 16 can be drilled in the wall that forms the hole 12 of the main body 11. The screw holes 16 can be used when connecting the discharge head 1 to a supply pipe 2, which will be described later, by screwing.

[0027] 2. Liquid supply system 3 The liquid supply system 3 of the present invention includes the above-described ejection head 1 and a supply pipe 2 connected to the ejection head 1 and supplying a liquid; When the supply pipe 2 on the side where the liquid is supplied is viewed in the axial direction, the top of the protrusion 13 on the ejection head 1 is located in a position that can be seen through the supply pipe 2. Each component will be explained below.

[0028] (1) Supply pipe 2 A specific example of the shape of the supply pipe 2 is shown in FIG. 5. The supply pipe 2 shown in FIG. 5 includes a supply pipe 21 and a connection portion 22 provided on the side of an opening 23 of the supply pipe 21, which is an outlet for supplying the liquid. As shown in FIG. 5, the supply pipe 21 may be bent along the way, or may be straight and unbent. The material from which the supply pipe 21 is made is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the type and viscosity of the liquid to be dispensed and the use, purpose, and size of the device to which the supply system 3 is attached. Specific examples of such materials include metals such as iron, aluminum, and stainless steel, and synthetic resins such as silicone resin, urethane resin, acrylic resin, polypropylene resin, and polyethylene terephthalate resin. When the supply system 3 is used in a stringy food manufacturing device, forming the supply pipe 21 from stainless steel makes it easier to obtain the supply pipe 21 and minimizes food hygiene issues related to the stringy food to be manufactured.

[0029] The inner diameter of the supply pipe 21 is not particularly limited and can be varied as appropriate depending on the type and viscosity of the liquid to be discharged, as well as the application, purpose, and size of the device to which the supply system 3 is attached. Specific inner diameter values ​​include, for example, 20 to 100 mm. As described below, the supply pipe 21 is connected to a position where the apex of the protrusion 13 of the discharge head 1 is visible through the supply pipe 21 (i.e., the opening 23) when viewed from the axial direction of the outlet of the supply pipe 21 (i.e., the opening 23). By connecting the supply pipe 21 in this manner, the liquid supplied from the supply pipe 2 is supplied to the apex of the protrusion 13, and as the supplied liquid flows from the apex to the bottom, a shear force is applied to the liquid. Even when a highly viscous liquid, such as a liquid with high thixotropy, is supplied, the liquid does not remain excessively within the discharge head 1 and the liquid can be supplied while minimizing the generation of bubbles. The above-described effects can be further enhanced by setting the inner diameter of the supply pipe 21 within the pitch circle diameter (PCD) between the holes 14 and 14.

[0030] As described above, the connection portion 22 is provided on the opening 23 side of the supply pipe 21. As described below, the connection portion 22 is a member for connecting the discharge head 1 and the supply pipe 2 by screw fastening or the like. The shape of the connection portion 22 is not particularly limited, provided that it is a shape that can connect the discharge head 1 and the supply pipe 2. Specific examples of the shape of the connection portion 22 when viewed from a plane include polygons such as triangles, rectangles, pentagons, and hexagons, and circles including ellipses. In FIG. 5 , the connection portion 22 has a disk shape. The thickness of the connection portion 22 is also not particularly limited, provided that it is a thickness that can connect the discharge head 1 and the supply pipe 2. Specific examples of the thickness of the connection portion 22 include 12 to 28 mm. The connection portion 22 has one or more screw holes 24 formed therein, which are used to connect the discharge head 1 and the supply pipe 2, as described below.

[0031] There are no particular limitations on the material from which the connection part 22 is formed, and it can be appropriately changed depending on the type and viscosity of the liquid to be dispensed, as well as the use, purpose, and size of the device to which the supply system 3 is attached. Specific examples of such materials include metal materials such as iron, aluminum, and stainless steel, and synthetic resins such as silicone resin, urethane resin, acrylic resin, polypropylene resin, and polyethylene terephthalate resin. When the supply system 3 is used in a stringy food manufacturing device, forming the supply pipe 21 from stainless steel makes it easier to obtain the connection part 22 and minimizes food hygiene issues related to the stringy food being manufactured. Furthermore, forming the supply pipe 21 and the connection part 22 from the same material makes it easier to obtain the supply pipe 2.

[0032] There are no particular limitations on the position of the supply pipe 21 in the connection part 22, in other words, the position of the opening 23 in the connection part 22. By providing the opening 23 approximately in the center of the connection part 22, the connection between the ejection head 1 and the supply pipe 2 can be made easier.

[0033] (3) Supply System 3 As described above, the supply system 3 of the present invention includes the ejection head 1 and the supply pipe 2. As shown in FIG. 6, the ejection head 1 and the supply pipe 2 are fixed by screwing together the screws 31 through the respective screw holes 16 and 24. The opening 23 of the supply pipe 21 communicates with the hole 12 of the ejection head 1 and is located in a position where the apex (V in FIG. 6(C)) of the protrusion 13 can be seen through the opening 23. The positional relationship between the opening 23 and the apex V of the protrusion 13 allows the liquid supplied to the apex of the protrusion 13 to flow evenly throughout the entire protrusion 13. Therefore, even when a highly viscous liquid, such as a liquid with high thixotropy, is supplied, the liquid does not remain in excess within the ejection head 1, and the liquid can be supplied while minimizing the generation of bubbles.

[0034] 6(C), the center of the axial direction of the supply pipe 2 of the supply pipe 21 (CL in FIG. 6(b)) can also be positioned corresponding to the apex V of the protrusion 13 in the ejection head 1. By positioning the supply pipe 21 in this way, the liquid supplied to the apex V of the protrusion 13 can be made to flow more evenly throughout the protrusion 13, so that even when a highly viscous liquid, for example a liquid with high thixotropy, is supplied, the liquid does not remain excessively inside the ejection head 1, and the effect of supplying the liquid while minimizing the generation of bubbles can be further improved.

[0035] 3. Thread food manufacturing equipment 4 The apparatus 4 for producing thread-like food of the present invention is characterized in that it includes a reaction tube 41 having an inlet 411 and an outlet 412 and a predetermined flow path length, and is provided with the supply system 3 on the side of the inlet 411. The apparatus 4 for producing thread-like food will be described in detail below based on specific examples.

[0036] 7 shows a specific example of the shape of the string-like food production apparatus 4. The string-like food production apparatus 4 includes a reaction tube 41 having an inlet 411 and an outlet 412 and having a predetermined flow path length. In the example of FIG. 7, the inlet 411 opens upward, and the outlet 412 opens downward. The reaction tube 41 starts from the inlet 411 provided on the upper side, winds around with the vertical direction as the axial direction, and continues to the outlet 412 provided on the lower side. By winding the reaction tube 41 in this way, it is possible to ensure a predetermined flow path length while minimizing the area occupied by the reaction tube 41 in the string-like food production apparatus 4.

[0037] Here, the "predetermined flow path length" in the present invention refers to a length that allows the type of food to be produced in the thread-like food producing apparatus 4, in other words, a length that allows the raw materials supplied by the supply system 3 to react with the raw materials flowing through the reaction tube 41 to form a thread-like food. The phrase "capable of forming a thread-like food" not only includes a state in which the reaction has progressed to the interior of the thread-like food recovered from the outlet 412 of the reaction tube 41, but also refers to a state in which the reaction has not progressed to the interior of the thread-like food, but the exterior has reacted to an extent that operations to be performed on the thread-like food after the reaction, such as recovery, can be performed. The specific flow path length of the reaction tube 41 can be adjusted appropriately based on the combination of raw materials to be reacted in the reaction tube 41, the concentration and temperature of the raw materials, etc.

[0038] A supply system 3 is provided above the inlet 411 that opens upward. Although one supply system 3 is provided in Fig. 7, two or more supply systems 3 may be provided. A supply pipe 21 of the supply system 3 is connected to a raw material tank A42 that stores the raw material supplied via the supply system 3. A pump 43 is provided midway along the supply pipe 21 to supply the raw material from the raw material tank A42 to the supply system 3.

[0039] A raw material tank B44 is provided below the outlet 412 that opens downward. The raw material tank B44 and the reaction tube 41 on the inlet 411 side are connected via a circulation pipe 45. A pump B46 is provided midway along the circulation pipe 45.

[0040] 4. Thread food production A method for producing a thread-like food product will be described below as an example, using the thread-like food product production apparatus 4 to produce a thread-like food product obtained by reacting carrageenan with sodium alginate. Of course, the thread-like food product production apparatus 4 of the present invention can also be applied to any raw materials other than those mentioned above, which are used to produce a food product obtained by reacting two raw materials.

[0041] An aqueous carrageenan solution is poured into raw material tank A42. The aqueous carrageenan solution is obtained by dissolving carrageenan extracted from seaweed in water, such as tap water. The carrageenan concentration in the aqueous carrageenan solution can be adjusted as needed depending on the final desired quality of the thread-like food product. Furthermore, the viscosity of the aqueous carrageenan solution increases as the concentration of carrageenan in the solution increases. The thread-like food production apparatus 4 of the present invention is equipped with a supply system 3 including the discharge head 1 described above. Therefore, even an aqueous solution with a relatively high viscosity, specifically, for example, 100 to 150 mPa·s, can be discharged relatively smoothly from the supply system 3 while minimizing the amount of foam in the discharged solution. In addition, when the viscosity of the carrageenan aqueous solution is low due to a relatively low concentration of carrageenan, for example, 80 Pa·s or more but less than 100 Pa·s, by using an ejection head 1 in which the length from the base to the tip of the tube 15 protruding outside the main body 11 is at least three times the inner diameter of the tube 15, the aqueous solution can be easily ejected in a thread-like form without excessive scattering around.

[0042] Meanwhile, an aqueous solution of sodium alginate is poured into the raw material tank B44. The concentration of sodium alginate in the aqueous solution can be changed as appropriate depending on the quality of the final desired thread-like food product, etc.

[0043] By driving pump B46, the aqueous sodium alginate solution stored in raw material tank B44 is supplied to reaction tube 41 via circulation pipe 45. The aqueous sodium alginate solution supplied to reaction tube 41 flows from the top to the bottom of the wound reaction tube 41 and is discharged into raw material tank B44 from outlet 412 of reaction tube 41. That is, the aqueous sodium alginate solution circulates in the order raw material tank B44 → circulation pipe 45 → reaction tube 41 → raw material tank B44. The speed at which sodium alginate flows through the reaction tube, in other words, the circulation rate of sodium alginate, can be adjusted appropriately based on the types and concentrations of the two raw materials to be reacted. The circulation rate of sodium alginate can be adjusted appropriately by adjusting the discharge rate of pump B46, the inclination angle of reaction tube 41, etc.

[0044] Pump B46 is driven to start the circulation of the aqueous sodium alginate solution, and then pump A43 is driven. By driving pump A43, the aqueous carrageenan solution stored in raw material tank A42 is supplied from pipe 15 of supply system 3 to reaction tube 41 via inlet 411, which opens upward. The aqueous carrageenan solution supplied from pipe 15 is supplied to reaction tube 41 in a long, thin thread-like state. The aqueous carrageenan solution supplied to reaction tube 41 begins to react with the aqueous sodium alginate solution circulating through reaction tube 41. The supplied aqueous carrageenan solution moves through reaction tube 41 from the inlet 411 side to the outlet 412 side together with the flow of sodium alginate circulating through reaction tube 41.

[0045] Because the reaction tube 41 has a predetermined flow path length, the carrageenan and sodium alginate react to form a thread-like food product while flowing through the reaction tube 41. The formed thread-like food product is discharged into raw material tank B44 via outlet 412 together with the circulating aqueous sodium alginate solution. The thread-like food product discharged into raw material tank B44 can be recovered and washed, cut, packed, etc., as needed. As the production of the thread-like food product progresses, the concentration of sodium alginate in the circulating aqueous sodium alginate solution decreases, so the concentration of the circulating aqueous sodium alginate solution can be adjusted by checking the concentration and adding sodium alginate to raw material tank B44 as needed. [Industrial Applicability]

[0046] The discharge head, supply system, and apparatus for manufacturing thread-like food of the present invention make it possible to manufacture thread-like food more easily and efficiently. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1: Discharge head, 11: Main body, 12: Hole, 121: Bottom, 13: Protrusion, 14: Hole, 15: Tube, 16: Screw hole, 17: Inclined portion A, 18: Inclined portion B 2: supply pipe, 21: supply pipe, 22: connection part, 23: opening, 24: screw hole 3: Supply system, 31: Screw 4: filamentous food manufacturing apparatus, 41: reaction tube, 411: inlet, 412: outlet, 42: raw material tank A, 43: pump A, 44: raw material tank B, 45: circulation pipe, 46: pump B

Claims

1. a body portion having a hole; a protrusion having an apex provided at approximately the center of the bottom of the hole; a hole provided near the bottom outer edge of the protrusion, the hole in the main body communicating with the outside; a tube communicating with the hole formed in the main body and protruding to the outside of the main body; A dispensing head for dispensing a liquid, comprising:

2. moreover, a sloped portion A provided near the bottom outer edge of the protrusion; and a sloped portion B provided near the lower end of the inner wall forming the hole; 2. The ejection head according to claim 1, wherein the hole formed in the main body is located at a point where the inclined portion A and the inclined portion B intersect.

3. 3. The ejection head according to claim 1, wherein the length from the base to the tip of the tube protruding outside the main body is at least three times the inner diameter of the tube.

4. The ejection head according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a supply pipe connected to the ejection head and configured to supply a liquid; A liquid supply system characterized in that, when the supply pipe on the liquid supply side is viewed in its axial direction, the apex of the protrusion on the ejection head is located in a position that can be seen through the supply pipe.

5. The liquid supply system according to claim 4 , wherein the axial center of the supply pipe on the liquid supply side is located at a position corresponding to the apex of a protrusion on the ejection head.

6. 6. An apparatus for producing thread-like food, comprising a reaction tube having an inlet and an outlet and a predetermined flow path length, characterized in that the supply system according to claim 4 or 5 is provided on the inlet side.

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