JPH0371105B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Industrial Field of Application This invention relates to the application of electricity to food materials such as fish paste when producing foods such as fish paste paste products such as kamaboko and various other paste products. This invention relates to a device that heats the food material by the accompanying heat generated by the juice.

Prior Art In the process of manufacturing paste products such as kamaboko, it is well known that surimi such as fish meat is kneaded, molded into a predetermined shape, and then heated. Various devices are known that utilize the Joule heat generated by this (for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 55-48789, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 63-207372, etc.). These conventional general heating devices have a configuration in which raw food materials such as surimi are wrapped in a packaging bag or packaging film having fine current-carrying holes, and in that state are placed between electrodes and heated by applying electricity.

In this type of device, liquid containing salt, etc. that seeps out of the food material permeates the packaging bag or membrane and mediates the conduction between the electrode and the food material, so that the food material directly contacts the electrode. Since there is no contact, it is possible to prevent food materials from adhering to the electrodes, and it is also possible to prevent stains on the electrodes from adhering to the food materials to some extent. However, as the liquid seeping out from the food material is heated on the surface of the electrode and its moisture evaporates, solid content gradually accumulates on the surface of the electrode, and as a result, even if there is a packaging bag between the electrode and the food material, Even if a film is interposed, there is a high possibility that the food material will be contaminated by the deposits on the electrode surface, resulting in a problem of degrading the product quality.

To overcome this inconvenience, it may be possible to brush the surface of the electrode when the electrode is opened and separated from the food material. The surface of the electrode cannot always be brushed sufficiently, and there is a risk that the deposits on the electrode surface will be scattered to the surrounding area due to brushing, which may adversely affect the quality of the product.

Therefore, the present invention has already proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 1-79586 a heating device using Joule heat generation, which can easily prevent contamination of food materials and electrodes. In other words, the above proposal involves placing conductive food materials close to each other.
In a food heating device that is arranged between a pair of electrodes separated from each other and heats the food material by applying electricity to the food material from these electrodes to generate heat, a cellophane paper or the like is placed between the electrode and the food material. A moisture permeable thin film is disposed movably, and an aluminum film is movably disposed at least with respect to the electrode on the surface of the moisture permeable thin film facing the electrode.

In such a heating device, the electrode and the food material do not come into direct contact with each other, but a moisture-permeable thin film and an aluminum film are interposed between them, and the moisture-permeable thin film contacts the food material and the aluminum film makes contact with the food material. Interposed between the wet thin film and the electrode. When electricity is applied to the electrode in this state, the liquid contained in the food material permeates into the moisture permeable thin film, so current flows through the food material through the aluminum film and the moisture permeable thin film, and as a result, Joule heat is generated and the food material is heated. In this case, the moisture-permeable thin film comes into contact with the surface of the food material, and the electrodes and aluminum film do not come into direct contact with it, so the surface of the product is not damaged due to heating. In addition, liquids containing salt and other substances that seep out from food materials come into contact with the aluminum film, but do not come into contact with the electrodes. When the electrical heating is finished, the electrode is separated from the food material, but since the moisture-permeable thin film and aluminum film can be inserted and removed between the food material and the electrode, they can be used as the electrode is withdrawn. The old moisture permeable membrane and aluminum membrane are removed and replaced with new ones.

As described above, according to the heating device of the proposed invention, the moisture-permeable thin film that contacts the food material and the aluminum film that contacts the liquid exuded from the food material can be inserted and removed between the food material and the electrode. As a result, dirt that adheres during heating is carried away from between the electrode and the food material, and as a result, it is possible to prevent the electrode from becoming dirty, and the food material is always covered with a clean moisture-permeable thin film. Since an aluminum film is used, it is possible to prevent product stains and obtain high quality products.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention The heating device proposed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application No. 1-79586 has a structure in which a moisture permeable thin film and an aluminum film are sandwiched between the electrode and the food material. The moisture permeable thin film and the aluminum film are backed up and supported by electrodes from their back sides. Such a configuration is advantageous in that the electrode is a part of a mold for molding a food material, and the food material is molded within the mold and immediately heated with electricity within the same mold.
On the other hand, there are the following problems.

In other words, when food materials such as minced fish meat are heated with electricity, they often expand depending on the type, but in the heating device proposed above, the electrodes tend to be pressed against the back side of the moisture-permeable thin film and the aluminum film. Therefore, it is difficult to allow food materials to expand. In particular, the form of expansion of ordinary food materials is that the surface of the material does not expand uniformly on a flat surface, but expands in a convex curved shape, and such expansion in a convex curved shape is allowed. This was difficult to do with the heating device proposed above.

For paste products such as kamaboko, the flavor is important, but if expansion during heating as described above is not allowed, the flavor will be impaired and the product will not have a handmade appearance, which may reduce its commercial value.

This invention was made against the background of the above-mentioned circumstances, and is a further improvement of the food heating device disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application No. 1-79586. Electricity is applied while following the accompanying expansion and contraction of the food material, thereby allowing the expansion and contraction of the food material, and in particular, allowing convex curved expansion, resulting in excellent flavor and handmade taste. Means for Solving the Problems It is an object of the present invention to provide a heating device for food that allows a food material to have a good appearance. In a food heating device that performs heating, a moisture-permeable thin film and a current-carrying conductive film are superimposed on both sides of a predetermined current-carrying position in a food material transfer path such that the moisture-permeable thin film faces the food material. The moisture-permeable thin film and the current-carrying conductive film can be fed in a direction along the surface facing the food material, and are supported so as to be movable as a whole in a direction toward and away from the food material. Additionally, the current-carrying conductive film is electrically contacted with a power feeding member at a position removed from the current-carrying position, and furthermore, the back side of the current-carrying conductive film at the current-carrying position is open. .

Function: In the heating device of the present invention, the moisture permeable thin film is in contact with the food material at the energized position of the transfer system, and the conductive film for energization is in contact with the back side of the moisture permeable thin film. If electricity is applied from the power supply member to the current-carrying conductive film in this state, water and electrolyte substances contained in the food material will permeate the moisture-permeable thin film, so a current will flow to the food material through the moisture-permeable thin film. Schull heat is generated inside the food material and the food material is heated.

When the food material is heated as described above, the food material often expands, and moreover, the form of expansion is often in the form of a convex curved surface. However, in the heating device of the present invention, the back side of the current-carrying conductive film at the current-carrying position is open, and the electrode, as in the case of the heating device of Japanese Patent Application No. 1-79586 mentioned above, is placed on the back side of the current-carrying conductive film at the current-carrying position. Since the moisture-permeable thin film and the current-carrying conductive film do not exist on the side, the moisture-permeable thin film and the current-carrying conductive film deform or move in accordance with the expansion of the food material due to their own elasticity and flexibility. Therefore, expansion of the food material is allowed.

Note that once the energization heating is finished, the moisture permeable thin film and the current conductive film are separated from the food material, but the moisture permeable thin film and the current conductive film can be fed.
After being separated from the food material, these moisture-permeable thin films and current-carrying conductive films are fed to send out the used portion (i.e., the portion located in the current-carrying position) and position the unused portion to the current-carrying position. . By doing this, new parts of the moisture-permeable thin film and the current-carrying conductive film are always used for energizing the food material, so there is no possibility of contamination due to adhesion or deposits from the food material or due to energization. It is possible to effectively prevent contamination caused by electrolysis of the conductive film from adversely affecting the product.

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described below as an example in which it is applied to a heating device after forming during the manufacturing process of kamaboko with a plate.

In FIG. 1, a conveyor 1 is for conveying kamaboko 3 formed on a plate 2, that is, kamaboko with a plate 3, along a predetermined transfer path 4. , a heating device 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided. The specific structure of this heating device 5 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, a moisture-permeable thin film 7 made of cellophane paper, paper, cloth, etc., and a sheet-shaped aluminum foil, etc. The electrically conductive film 8 for electricity supply is arranged in an overlapping state. The moisture-permeable thin film 7 is made in the shape of a long strip, and is wound up by a take-up roll 10 from a delivery roll 9 through an energizing position 6. It is made in the form of a strip and is adapted to be wound up by a winding roll 12 from another delivery roll 11 via an energized position 6. The overlapping state of the two is determined so that the moisture permeable thin film 7 is located inside the energized position, that is, the moisture permeable thin film 7 faces the kamaboko 3, which is the food material to be heated. On the back side of the current-carrying conductive film 8 before and after the current-carrying position 6,
Spring pieces 13 and 14 made of a conductive material such as metal are provided, and these spring pieces 13 and 14 are supported by pin-shaped power supply members 15 and 16. Each sending roll 9, 11, winding roll 1
0, 12, and the power supply members 15, 16 are supported by a movable base 17, and this movable base 17 is moved toward and away from the energization position 6 from the side by an advance/retreat drive mechanism 18 such as a flow/pressure cylinder. It is configured such that it can be moved in a direction toward and away from the kamaboko 3 at the energized position 6.

In the above embodiment, the movable base 17 is in the retracted position before heating. Therefore, the moisture-permeable thin film 7 and the current-carrying conductive film 8 are also located at a position retracted from the current-carrying position 6. On the other hand, the kamaboko 3 formed on the plate 2 is sent on the conveyor 1 along the transfer path 4 while remaining attached to the plate 2. When the kamaboko 3 reaches the energized position 6, the advance/retreat drive mechanism position 18 is activated, the movable base 17 moves forward, and the kamaboko 3
is sandwiched from both sides by a moisture-permeable thin film 7 and a current-carrying conductive film 8. In this state, the power supply member 15,
When electricity is applied to the conductive film 8 from the conductive film 16, a current flows to the kamaboko 3 through the moisture-permeable thin film 7, and the kamaboko 3 is heated by the heat generated by the internal resistance.

At this time, the kamaboko 3 expands due to heating and its side surface swells into a convex curved shape, but the moisture permeable thin film 7 and the conductive film 8 follow the convex curved expansion of the side surface of the kamaboko 3, It deforms while maintaining contact with the side of 3. Since the kamaboko 3 can be allowed to expand in this way, the flavor will not be lost due to compression, and the handmade appearance will not be lost.

When the energization heating for a predetermined period of time is completed, the advancing/retracting drive mechanism 18 is activated to move the movable base 17 backward, and the moisture permeable thin film 7 and the energizing conductive film 8 are separated from the kamaboko 3, and the conveyor 1 continues to energize and heat the fish paste. Finished kamaboko 3 is sent to the next process. At the same time or thereafter, the winding rolls 10 and 12 are rotated in the winding direction, and the moisture permeable thin film 7 and the conductive film 8 for electricity supply are fed by a predetermined length, and are placed in a position opposite to the current supply position 6. The unused portions of the wet thin film 7 and the current-carrying conductive film 8 are positioned. Therefore, the unused moisture-permeable thin film and conductive film for current will be in contact with the kamaboko that will next arrive at the energizing position and be heated by energizing, so dirt etc. from the previous energizing heating will have an adverse effect on the product. It will not affect you.

As described above, the kamaboko that is sent in sequence is heated, and the moisture permeable thin film 7 and the conductive film 8 for electricity supply are fed a predetermined length each time, and finally the moisture permeable thin film 7 or When the entire amount of current-carrying conductive film 8 has been sent out, a new roll is loaded, and the used film wound onto the winding rolls 10 and 12 is discarded. That is, the moisture-permeable thin film 7 and the current-carrying conductive film 8 are disposable.

In the illustrated embodiment, the moisture-permeable thin film 7 and the current-carrying conductive film 8 are separated from each other by separate delivery rolls 9,
11 and another winding roll 10, 12
Although the structure is such that the moisture-permeable thin film 7 and the current-carrying conductive film 8 are rolled up in a superimposed state in advance, the superimposed film may be unrolled and wound up. Furthermore, in some cases, a moisture permeable thin film 7
The current-carrying conductive film 8 may be integrated in advance by bonding or the like.

In addition, energization to the conductive film 8 for energization is carried out by the spring pieces 13,
14; for example, the feed roll 11 and/or the take-up roll 12 may be energized. In this case, the delivery roll 11 and/or the take-up roll 1
2 will also serve as a power supply member.

In the embodiment, heating of kamaboko with a plate was shown, but the heating device of the present invention can be applied to any food material that can be energized.

Effects of the Invention According to the food heating device of the present invention, the back side of the current-carrying conductive film that is in contact with both sides of the food material via a moisture-permeable thin film is open at the current-carrying position in order to heat the food material with electricity. Even if the food material expands when heated with electricity, it will be deformed to accommodate the expansion, so the expansion due to heating of the food material can be tolerated, and this will not impair the flavor of the food or make it look handmade. This can effectively prevent loss of information. Furthermore, according to the current heating device for food of the present invention, the moisture-permeable thin film and the current-carrying conductive film that come into contact with the food material for current heating can be fed, so that the portion used for current heating can be fed once. The unused portion can always be used again, and therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent deposits and other contaminants from adversely affecting the product during electrical heating.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing an example of a transfer system in which the food energization heating device of the present invention is installed;
The figure is a plan view showing an example of the food heating device of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the - line in FIG. 2. 3...Kamaboko as a food material, 4...Transportation route,
5...Electrification heating device, 6...Electrification position, 7...Moisture permeable thin film, 8...Conductive film for electricity supply, 15, 16...
Power supply member, 17...Movable base, 18...Advance/retreat drive mechanism.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a food heating device that heats food materials by energizing conductive food materials to generate heat, there is provided a moisture-permeable material on both sides of a predetermined energizing position in a food material transfer path. The thin film and the current-carrying conductive film are arranged in a superposed state such that the moisture-permeable thin film faces the food material, and the moisture-permeable thin film and the current-carrying conductive film are arranged in a direction along the surface facing the food material. The food material is supported as a whole so as to be movable toward and away from the food material, and a power supply member is electrically contacted with the conductive film at a position away from the current supply position. A food heating device characterized in that the back side of the current-carrying conductive film at the current-carrying position is open.