Food processing system for food factories

Abstract

To provide a method developed to shorten time that food-related waste (food residue) in a food factory is kept in the factory and to be able to process the food-related waste more quickly and easily.SOLUTION: A configuration comprises: providing one or more opening parts 3 in a floor slab 1 of a food factory; providing a slope toward an opening part 3; and providing a discharge path below the opening part 3 via the disposer 5, in a food factory where production equipment that generates food residue is installed. The configuration enables optimization of residue processing in the food factory.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a residue treatment system for treating food-related waste (food residues) in a food factory.

Background Art

[0002] In a food factory, various food-related wastes (food residues) may occur. Food residues are often kitchen waste, and it is preferable to process them promptly due to problems such as bad odors in the sanitary environment. Conventionally, the waste (food residues) has been temporarily collected and stored in the factory, and a processing system has been adopted to process the waste (food residues) at regular intervals such as by a certain amount, daily, every half day, or at predetermined times, or it has often been taken out of the food factory and stored for a while.

[0003] Furthermore, regarding the waste (food residues) generated in a food factory that manufactures fried foods such as instant noodles, there have been cases where processing is performed in the form shown in FIG. 6. Regarding the treatment of food-related waste (food residues) in the food factory shown in FIG. 6, for the food residues generated in the factory, they are washed away together with water and the like through a drainage pit provided in a net-like manner on the floor slab of the factory to near the drainage ditch, and a method of removing larger food residues by a net-like member in the drainage ditch is shown.

[0004] And for the larger food residues generated, it is necessary to collect and dispose of them every half day or day, and there are also problems such as odor problems and the complexity of the operation in the factory. As a method for treating such food residues, for example, the following patent documents disclose a garbage drying treatment device and the like in a food factory.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

[0006] Therefore, the inventors of this invention aimed to develop a method that would shorten the time food-related waste (food residue) is left in food factories and allow for faster and easier processing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] As a result of diligent research, the inventors conceived of a method for using a food waste disposal system, commonly known as a disposer, which is often found in ordinary kitchens, in a food processing plant. Specifically, we developed a method for a food processing plant waste treatment system that involves providing one or more openings in the floor slab of the food processing plant, creating a slope towards the openings, installing a disposer below the openings, and providing a discharge route through the disposer.

[0008] In other words, the first invention of this application is, "A residue treatment system in a food factory where production equipment that generates food residue is installed, wherein the floor slab of the food factory has one or more openings and a slope toward said openings, and is equipped with a discharge path that passes through a disposer below the openings."

[0009] Next, it is preferable to provide a wastewater treatment plant in conjunction with the aforementioned discharge route. In other words, the second invention of this application is, "The residue treatment system according to claim 1, comprising a wastewater treatment plant continuous with the aforementioned discharge route."

[0010] Next, if the food waste contains oil, it is preferable to install an oil-water separator before the wastewater treatment plant. In other words, the third invention of this application is, "The residue treatment system according to claim 2, wherein an oil-water separator is provided in the discharge route before the wastewater treatment plant."

[0011] Next, the present invention can be suitably utilized in the production equipment described above as a production line equipment for a line that continuously manufactures processed foods from raw materials. In other words, the fourth invention of this application is, The residue treatment system according to claim 1, wherein the production equipment is a production line equipment for manufacturing processed foods from raw materials.

[0012] Next, the present invention can be preferably utilized in the case of instant noodles as the processed food. In other words, the fifth invention of this application is, "The residue treatment system according to claim 4, wherein the processed food is instant noodles." [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] By utilizing the present invention, it becomes possible to rapidly process food waste generated in food processing plants. This makes it possible to reduce problems such as unpleasant odors caused by food waste. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view showing the entire residue processing system of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the arrangement of the disposer in the residue treatment system of the present invention, with (a) a schematic plan view and (b) a schematic cross-sectional view of the side. [Figure 3] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the arrangement of the disposer in the residue treatment system of the present invention. [Figure 4] This diagram shows an example of a conventional drainage pit installation for residue treatment, with (a) a schematic plan view and (b) a schematic cross-sectional view of the side. [Figure 5]FIG. 0 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of a disposer in the residue treatment system of the present invention, (a) a plan schematic view, and (b) a side cross-sectional schematic view. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a perspective schematic view showing a conventional residue treatment method.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0015] 1 floor slab 3 openings 5 disposer 7 discharge path 9 intermediate tank 11 wastewater treatment plant 13 production equipment 15 wastewater pit

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a residue treatment system in a food factory of the present invention. In particular, an example of a residue treatment system in a fried food manufacturing factory is shown. More specifically, an example in the case of a food factory that prepares fresh noodles from wheat flour, fries the fresh noodles to produce fried noodle blocks, and manufactures instant noodles is shown. In the first embodiment of the residue treatment system in the food factory of the present application shown in FIG. 1, in the food factory, a gradient is provided on the floor slab 1 toward a plurality of openings, and a discharge path passing through the disposer 5 is provided below the openings 3. Furthermore, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the discharge path 7 is connected to the intermediate tank 9, and in the intermediate tank 9, it is separated into two layers of oil and water, and the oil tank is separately treated. On the other hand, the lower water layer portion is transferred through the pipe by a pump and moved to the wastewater treatment plant 11, and after being treated at the wastewater treatment plant 11, it is discharged into the sewage. Hereinafter, the content of the present invention will be described.

[0017] ─Food Factory─ The term "food factory" in this invention refers to, for example, a processing food manufacturing plant. Specifically, examples include instant noodles, instant rice, fresh noodles, chilled noodles, frozen noodles, confectionery, fresh confectionery, Western-style confectionery, yogurt, fried foods, processed fish products, and meat products such as bacon, ham, and sausage. The invention also includes cutting plants for fresh vegetables and cutting plants for meat products such as chicken, pork, and beef. It can be particularly well used in processing food manufacturing plants such as instant noodles and instant rice.

[0018] —Floor slab— In this invention, "floor slab 1" refers to a plate-like structure in a building's floor structure that supports weight perpendicular to the surface. In large buildings such as factories, it is often made of concrete or reinforced concrete. Furthermore, the opening 3 in the floor slab 1 as referred to in this invention refers to an opening in the floor slab 1 that provides a path leading to the area below the floor slab 1. The opening 3 may be provided in a single location in the floor slab 1, or it may be provided in multiple locations at intervals within a certain area. This can be appropriately adapted depending on the scale of the food processing plant.

[0019] Furthermore, as will be described later, it is also possible to provide openings 3 in the floor slab 1 in each area where it is considered necessary to install a disposer 5. For example, in the configuration shown in Figure 2, a food factory may include both the food manufacturing process and the packaging process. In such a case, it is possible to provide an opening 3 only in the area where the production equipment for the food manufacturing process is installed, and to arrange the disposer 5 as described later.

[0020] —Slope towards the opening— In the present invention, the floor slab 1 has a slope toward the opening 3. That is, a slope that places the opening 3 at a lower position. When water is poured over a predetermined area of ​​the floor slab 1 for cleaning or the like, it is necessary to ensure that the water flows toward the opening 3. Furthermore, the sloped area does not necessarily have to be the entire floor slab of the food factory; it could be just the area around the opening. In other words, it is possible to provide a slope towards the opening only in the area where food residue is generated.

[0021] Furthermore, the above-mentioned gradient only needs to be a gradient that is directed toward the opening 3 as a whole. For example, even if not the entire area is actually inclined, and there are parts that do not have a gradient or parts where the gradient reverses, if water flows through the area, it will still be included in the gradient of the present invention as long as it flows toward the opening 3. For example, in Figure 3, there is a part that does not have a gradient and is flat, but even in such a case, it will be included in the gradient of the present invention. If food residue generated from the production equipment 13 remains on the slope, it can be moved to the opening 3 using water or the like. Alternatively, factory workers can easily place the food residue generated from the production equipment 13 on the slope and move it to the opening 3 by flowing water or the like.

[0022] —A garbage disposal unit located below the opening— In this invention, a disposer 5 is installed below the opening 3. The disposer 5 can appropriately process food waste generated in a food factory. The disposer 5 in this invention is not limited to any particular type, but generally any device that crushes food waste while mixing it with water and then fluidizes it with the water is acceptable.

[0023] A specific example of the configuration of the disposer 5 is a device that includes a motor section and a food waste processing section, in which food waste is put in with water and agitated on a turntable, crushed by a hammer section on the turntable and a wall surface on the periphery of the rotating table, and liquefied (fluidized) by being in contact with water, and discharged as a liquid through grid-like gaps provided on the wall surface, etc. Normally, food waste and other organic waste are collected and disposed of as an administrative service by local governments, requiring users to wait until collection day. However, by using the Disposer 5, there is no need to store organic waste, thus improving the environment by reducing odors and pests.

[0024] Furthermore, in the case of large-scale food processing plants, large amounts of food waste (food scraps) are often generated, and the disposal of such food waste (food scraps) frequently becomes a problem. By utilizing the residue treatment system of the present invention, food waste (organic garbage) can be processed as needed, thereby improving environmental problems such as unpleasant odors. Furthermore, while the structure of the disposer 5 in this invention may be as described above, it is not limited to this structure. It is not particularly limited as long as it can crush or otherwise fluidize food waste (organic waste) on the spot and flush it out through pipes or the like.

[0025] Furthermore, in the present invention, the disposer 5 is intended for use in a food processing plant, and it is preferable that it be a large type. Of course, a configuration using multiple disposers 5 in combination is also possible. Furthermore, the above-mentioned disposer should, of course, be operated as needed when residue is generated. It should also be operated at other times as required.

[0026] —Discharge route via garbage disposal— In this invention, there is a discharge route 7 that passes through the disposer 5. The discharge route 7 is not particularly limited, but includes various forms such as piping, as long as it is a route that can discharge liquid matter including food residue discharged from the disposer. In the first embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 1, a residue treatment system for fried foods containing oil and fat is shown in which the liquid substance containing food residue discharged from the disposer 5 is moved to the intermediate tank 9 via piping which serves as the discharge path 7.

[0027] In the intermediate layer 9, the liquid can be separated into an upper oil layer and a lower water layer. The upper layer is disposed of as appropriate, and the lower water layer is moved to the wastewater treatment plant 11, where wastewater treatment is carried out within the factory before it is discharged into the sewer system. At the wastewater treatment plant 11, impurities are removed and the wastewater is purified to a level suitable for discharge into the sewage system. Various methods can be used for wastewater treatment, such as pressurized flotation, coagulation and sedimentation, and biological treatment. Furthermore, it goes without saying that wastewater treatment can be carried out using either a continuous or batch system.

[0028] —Other effects of the present invention— Other effects of the present invention will be described below. Conventionally, in the treatment of waste (food residue) in food factories, a type of system has been used in which food residue generated in the factory is pushed along with water, etc., through a drainage pit 15 that is comprehensively provided in the factory floor slab 1 to the vicinity of the drainage channel, and larger food residues are removed by a mesh member in the drainage channel. A schematic diagram of this configuration is shown in Figure 4.

[0029] In the type shown in Figure 4, groove-shaped drainage pits 15 are often provided in a grid pattern on the floor slab 1, and these grooves sometimes obstruct the use of the floor surface of the floor slab 1 in areas other than where production equipment is installed. On the other hand, in the present invention, as shown in Figure 5, it is only necessary to provide an incline toward the disposer 5 in the required area of ​​the floor slab 1, making it possible to effectively utilize the space on the surface of the floor slab 1 even in areas other than where the production equipment is installed. Thus, by utilizing the residue treatment system of the present invention, it becomes possible to effectively utilize the space of the floor slab 1 in the factory.

[0030] —Use in production equipment for manufacturing instant noodles— The present invention can be suitably used in a food factory, specifically in production equipment for manufacturing instant noodles, a processed food. Typically, the production process for instant noodles is as follows: First, the raw materials, such as wheat flour and starch, are taken together with water, salt, and lye water. These raw materials are then mixed with kneading water (a solution of salt, lye water, thickening polysaccharides, etc.) to prepare the noodle dough, known as "dough."

[0031] Then, the prepared noodle dough is rolled into a noodle sheet using a rolling mill and compounded. The compounded noodle sheet is rolled using multiple rolling mills, and the rolled noodle sheet is cut out using cutting rolls. In the case of instant noodles, the raw noodle strands after cutting are stacked on a conveyor belt and transported. After the noodle strands are steamed (steamed or boiled), they are transported on the conveyor belt while being divided into multiple bundles through processes such as flavoring and stretching as needed. These bundles are then cut while hanging down and sequentially fed into molds via hoppers, etc. The molds are then oil-heat-dried or hot-air-dried to produce fried noodle blocks or hot-air-dried noodle blocks.

[0032] In this way, instant noodle blocks are manufactured, but in the process of manufacturing these instant noodle blocks, raw noodles that have been cut often become food waste, as well as residue from the instant noodle blocks before, during, or after drying. In particular, the residue from fried noodles, which are deep-fried in oil, often contains oil, making its disposal complicated.

[0033] By utilizing the residue processing system of the present invention, it becomes possible to quickly and effectively process food waste generated in the manufacturing process of instant noodles. Furthermore, in the production of instant noodles in a food factory, the process often includes placing the instant noodle block into a cup-shaped container or flexible packaging material, as well as packaging the products in the cup-shaped container or flexible packaging material, or packing them into cardboard boxes. However, the various configurations of the floor slab opening 3, the slope leading to the opening 3, and the disposer 5 in this invention only need to be provided in the area of ​​the floor slab 1 where the production equipment for manufacturing the noodle block is installed.

[0034] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the configuration of the present invention may also be provided in the floor slab 1 of the area with production equipment related to the processes of manufacturing noodle blocks, such as the area where food residue such as noodle strands that should be discarded is likely to be generated, for example, the area where raw noodle strands are cut and transported, the area before and after steaming, or the area where the equipment is used for the processes of seasoning, cutting or frying the noodle strands after steaming.

Claims

1. A residue treatment system in a food factory where production equipment that generates food residue is installed, wherein the floor slab of the food factory has one or more openings and a slope toward the openings, and below the openings is a discharge path that passes through a disposer, A residue treatment system in a food factory, comprising an oil-water separator tank after passing through the disposer in the aforementioned discharge path.

2. The residue treatment system according to claim 1, further comprising a wastewater treatment plant continuous with the aforementioned discharge route.

3. The residue treatment system according to claim 2, further comprising an oil-water separator in the discharge route before the wastewater treatment plant.

4. The residue treatment system according to claim 1, wherein the production equipment is a production line equipment for manufacturing processed foods from raw materials.

5. The residue treatment system according to claim 4, wherein the processed food is instant noodles.

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