Apparatus for separating whey from a slurry-like material

#The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for separating whey form a slurry-like material, the apparatus being adapted for use in manufacturing "tofu" or soybean curd in Japan, and cheese in western countries, and more particularly to a pressing unit for obtaining whey for curds.

#"Tofu" or soybean curd is a traditional food for the Japanese people. It is produced from soybeans. A conventional method for producing tofu will be briefly described as the background.

#Soybeans are first put into water for seven to eight hours in summer and twenty-four hours in winter. The soaked beans are ground by means of a stone grinder or a crusher, with the gradual addition of water. The soybeans become slurry-like. The slurry-like product is then pressed and milky bean whey is obtained, commonly called "soybean milk". The dehydrated residue is used as another food or cattle feed. The bean whey is then heated at a relatively low temperature, with the addition of water. The heated whey is poured into a tub with small holes all over its sides, lined with finely meshed cloth. A small amount of bittern is added, and the whey is pressed. The bittern serves to solidify the whey. Water content is removed through the holes of the tub. Thus tofu is made, and usually sliced into convenient sizes for sale.

#FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view exemplifying the principle underlying the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a front view showing a first embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 3 is a partly broken front view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

#Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a pressing unit according to the present invention will be described, wherein the pressing unit is applied to obtain bean whey in the production of tofu.

#In FIG. 2, the exemplary pressing unit includes a steaming unit 1 and a screw-type presser 2 below the steaming unit 1.

#The steaming unit 1 includes a tub 3 and a cover 4 covering the top open end of the tub 3 having an inlet port 5 in an upper part through which soybeans are introduced into the tub 3, and an outlet port 6 (FIG. 5) in the bottom through which heated soybeans are discharged. The tub 3 is provided with four supports 7 secured to the ground or any other structure. Preferably, the tub 3 is provided with a window 8 through which the inside of the tub 3 is visually watched. The tub 3, the cover 4, the ports 5 and 6 and the supports 7 are all made of stainless steel.