JP6755852B2 - How to wash root vegetables - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for cleaning root vegetables.

Root vegetables (also called root vegetables), which are vegetables such as burdock, radish, carrot, and lotus that mainly eat rhizomes and bulbs, have their rhizomes that are long in the ground or branched. When pulled up from the ground, a large amount of mud etc. may adhere.
Since root vegetables make the part that was in the soil edible, it is necessary to remove dirt such as mud that has adhered to it.
There is a brush-type washing machine, and there is also a method of manually cleaning root vegetables between two brushes that rotate in opposite directions, but it is necessary to insert each one individually. It is inefficient and often cannot remove stains well, and is not suitable for cleaning a large amount of root vegetables. In particular, root vegetables have dents, and the stains in the dents are difficult to remove. If you try to drop it forcibly, it may damage the root vegetables.
Similar to the brush-type washing machine, there is also a method of washing root vegetables by spraying high-pressure water using a high-pressure water injection device, but the washing operation can be done one by one manually. Necessary, inefficient, unsuitable for cleaning large amounts of root vegetables, and often unable to remove stains well, and in particular, root vegetables have dents, and the stains in the dents are It is difficult to drop and may remain.
Although it is conceivable to perform cleaning with ultrasonic waves, the ultrasonic cleaning device (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-156313) also performs cleaning in a single-shot manner, so that it cannot respond to a large amount of quick supply requests. .. In addition, cleaning with an ultrasonic cleaning device alone is insufficient for deburring root vegetables.
When cleaning root vegetables, in addition to the above-mentioned problems of mud adhesion and good removal of dirt in dents, there is a problem of so-called burrs that are formed on the corners of root vegetables. It is also necessary to deburr to expose a smooth appearance, and it is difficult to remove it efficiently with brush cleaning, and it is difficult to remove it well even with a single injection of high-pressure water, even with an ultrasonic cleaning device. , Deburring is insufficient, and these single-shot brush cleaning, high-pressure water injection, and ultrasonic cleaning cannot respond to a large amount of quick supply requests.
Furthermore, root vegetables may need to be sterilized, and when a large amount of root vegetables is quickly supplied, hygienic root vegetables that have been sterilized are required, and even in that case, sterilization is performed without relying on human power. It is necessary to respond to the quick supply of large amounts of sanitary root vegetables.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-172555 describes a foodstuff cleaning processing apparatus provided with a cleaning water tank, a recovery conveyor, and a cleaning imparting means capable of imparting cleaning power such as air or ultrasonic waves to the cleaning basin of the cleaning water tank. However, since it ejects air in water, it is insufficient for removing and cleaning dirt, burrs, and / or dented root vegetables with dents.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-156313, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-172555

The present invention eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and is particularly suitable for cleaning root vegetables having at least one of dirt, burrs and dents, and efficiently requires a large amount of cleaning. The purpose is to provide a new method for cleaning root vegetables that can promote root vegetables in an assembly line.
Other objects and novel features of the invention will also be apparent from the description in the following specification and drawings.

The scope of claims of the present invention is as follows.
(Claim 1)
In the method for cleaning root vegetables, which carries in the root vegetables, cleans them, discharges them from the conveyor transfer mechanism, and cleans the root vegetables, the root vegetables have at least one of the dirt, burrs, and dents carried into the conveyor transfer mechanism. After spraying the cleaning liquid from the first injection nozzle onto the root vegetables to remove the stains and burrs on the root vegetables or the stains or burrs, the root vegetables are placed in the cleaning liquid tank by the conveyor transfer mechanism. The root vegetables are washed by sending them in and applying ultrasonic vibration to the root vegetables in the cleaning liquid tank, and at the same time, an inner tank having a through hole is provided in the cleaning liquid tank to clean the root vegetables. In addition, the inner tank having the through hole is swung up and down to remove the dirt and burrs of the root vegetables or the dirt or burrs, and then the conveyor transfer mechanism is used. The cleaning liquid is sprayed onto the root vegetables from the second injection nozzle to remove the dirt and burrs on the root vegetables or the dirt or burrs, and then the root vegetables are discharged from the conveyor transfer mechanism. A method of cleaning root vegetables, which is characterized by this.
(Claim 2)
It is characterized in that a chemical that can sterilize root vegetables is mixed in the cleaning liquid sprayed onto the root vegetables or in the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank to wash the root vegetables with the cleaning liquid and sterilize the root vegetables. The method for cleaning root vegetables according to claim 1.

A brief description of the effects obtained by representative of the inventions disclosed in the present application is as follows.
In the present invention, in the method for cleaning root vegetables, which carries in, cleans, discharges from the conveyor transfer mechanism, and cleans root vegetables as shown in claim 1, the dirt carried into the conveyor transfer mechanism, After spraying the cleaning liquid from the first injection nozzle onto the root vegetables having at least one of burrs and dents to remove the stains and burrs on the root vegetables or removing the stains or burrs, the said The root vegetables are sent to the cleaning liquid tank by the conveyor transfer mechanism , and the root vegetables are washed by applying ultrasonic vibration to the root vegetables in the cleaning liquid tank, and at the same time , the cleaning liquid tank has a through hole. A tank is attached to clean the root vegetables, and the inner tank having the through hole is swung up and down to remove the dirt and burrs of the root vegetables or to remove the dirt or burrs. Then, in the conveyor transfer mechanism, the cleaning liquid is sprayed onto the root vegetables from the second injection nozzle to remove the stains and burrs on the root vegetables or remove the stains or burrs, and then the conveyor. By discharging the root vegetables from the transfer mechanism, it is suitable for cleaning root vegetables having at least one of dirt, burrs and dents, and root vegetables that require a large amount of efficient cleaning. It is possible to provide a novel method for cleaning root vegetables that can be washed by flow work.
That is, to provide a cleaning method suitable for good cleaning of root vegetables to which a large amount of mud or the like is attached when the rhizome or the like is long or branched in the ground and is pulled up from the ground. Can be done.
In a brush-type washing machine, root vegetables are manually provided one by one between two brushes that rotate in opposite directions to wash the brushes, but the efficiency is low and dirt cannot be removed well. In many cases, it is not suitable for cleaning a large amount of root vegetables. In particular, root vegetables have dents, and the dirt in the dents is difficult to remove, and if you try to remove them forcibly, the root vegetables will be damaged. However, according to the present invention, it is possible to remove dirt and scratches in the dents efficiently without damaging them. Further, the brush type washing machine is not suitable for removing burrs, but according to the present invention, it is effective for removing burrs. Further, according to the present invention, the conveyor transfer mechanism enables efficient cleaning of root vegetables that require a large amount of cleaning by an assembly line without relying on human hands.
Similar to the brush-type washing machine, the method of washing root vegetables by injecting high-pressure water using a high-pressure water injection device in a single shot requires manual cleaning operation one by one. , It is inefficient and often cannot remove stains well, and it is not suitable for cleaning a large amount of root vegetables. In particular, root vegetables have dents, and the stains in the dents are difficult to remove. However, according to the present invention, it can be efficiently removed without damaging the dirt in the dent, and according to the present invention, it is effective in removing burrs. Further, according to the present invention, the conveyor transfer mechanism enables efficient cleaning of root vegetables that require a large amount of cleaning by an assembly line without relying on human hands.
Ultrasonic cleaners can perform single-shot cleaning, but likewise cannot respond to large numbers of quick supply requests. In addition, cleaning with an ultrasonic cleaning device alone is insufficient for deburring root vegetables.
When cleaning root vegetables, in addition to the above-mentioned problems of mud adhesion and good removal of dirt in dents, there is a problem of so-called burrs on the corners of root vegetables. It is also necessary to deburr to expose a smooth appearance, it is difficult to remove efficiently with brush cleaning, it is difficult to remove it well even if high pressure water is sprayed once, even with an ultrasonic cleaning device. , Difficult to remove well.
The present invention is effective for cleaning root vegetables having dents, stains and burrs.
Furthermore, root vegetables may need to be sterilized, and when a large amount of root vegetables is quickly supplied, hygienic root vegetables that have been sterilized are required. It is necessary to respond to the quick supply of a large amount of hygienic root vegetables, and according to the present invention, this request can be met.

As shown in claim 2, a chemical capable of sterilizing root vegetables is mixed in the cleaning liquid sprayed onto the root vegetables or in the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank to wash the root vegetables with the cleaning liquid and remove the root vegetables. By performing the fungus, it is possible to provide hygienic root vegetables as well as to perform good cleaning, which also efficiently provides a large amount of root vegetables that require cleaning and sterilization by flow work. can do.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a cleaning device used in the method for cleaning root vegetables according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In the present invention, in the cleaning method of root vegetables, as shown, dirt Attempting to washing, burrs and indentations of at least one comprising a root vegetables B is by the conveyor transport mechanism 1, in the illustrated example , Carried in from the left side, washed, and discharged from the right side.
The conveyor transfer mechanism 1 is composed of, for example, a seamless belt conveyor mechanism.
In the belt conveyor mechanism 1, for example, the flat belt 100 is rotated by a plurality of rollers 101 to transfer root vegetables. The roller 101 is driven by, for example, a motor drive, and the tension of the conveyor is appropriately adjusted by a conveyor tension adjusting mechanism (not shown). In particular, in the cleaning liquid tank 300 in the subsequent process, the tension of the conveyor can be adjusted to measure the speed adjustment and time adjustment when transferring the cleaning liquid tank 300.
The transfer mechanism 1 also includes a work positioning mechanism for the root vegetables transfer mechanism, a work detection mechanism, a conveyor drive control mechanism, and the like.

When the root vegetables B are carried into the transfer mechanism 1, they are first sent to the dirt and / or burr removing mechanism 2 of the root vegetables.
As the mechanism 2 for removing the dirt and / or burr in the root vegetables, a mechanism 2 for injecting a cleaning liquid onto the root vegetables as shown in the figure is adopted.
FIG. 2 shows an explanatory diagram of the first injection mechanism 2 of the cleaning liquid.
The main body 200 of the first injection mechanism 2 of the cleaning liquid to the root vegetables is provided with a first injection nozzle 2000 such as a trigger nozzle at the tip thereof, and the first injection nozzle 2000 is above the first injection nozzle 2000. It is connected to the trigger-gun unit 2001, and the cleaning liquid is sprayed or stopped by operating / stopping the trigger-gun unit 2001.
A high-pressure hose 2003 is interposed between the main body 2000 and the cleaning tank 2002 in the first injection mechanism 2 of the cleaning liquid to the root vegetables.
The cleaning liquid tank unit 2002 is electrically connected to the motor unit 2004, and by driving the motor unit 2004, high-pressure water is ejected to the first injection nozzle via the high-pressure hose 2003. From 2000, it is sprayed on root vegetables B. The motor unit 2004 is electrically connected to a power source, and the cleaning liquid tank unit 2002 and the water source (water faucet) 2005 are connected by a pressure resistant hose 2006, and the cleaning liquid tank unit 2002 is connected to the cleaning liquid tank unit 2002. The cleaning liquid is appropriately delivered via the pressure-resistant hose 2006.
The larger the discharge pressure of the high-pressure water from the first injection nozzle 2000, the better, and the maximum allowable pressure should be 12.0 MPa or more. However, the maximum allowable pressure for home use is 12.0 MPa, and the regular discharge pressure is 9. It may be 0.0 MPa (megapascal). In addition, 1 MPa = 10.2 kgf / cm2 (weight kilogram per square centimeter).
As shown in the figure, the root vegetables are mounted on a belt conveyor, and as described above, high-pressure water from the first injection nozzle 2000 is injected onto the belt conveyor.

The root vegetables B from which dirt and / or burrs have been removed to some extent by the first injection mechanism 2 of the cleaning liquid onto the root vegetables are then transferred to the ultrasonic vibration applying mechanism 3A in the cleaning liquid tank 300 .
In the ultrasonic vibration applying mechanism 3A, ultrasonic vibration can be applied to the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 300.
FIG. 3 shows an example of the ultrasonic oscillation unit 301 and the power supply 302 in the ultrasonic vibration applying mechanism 3A.
As shown in FIG. 3, the ultrasonic vibration applying mechanism 3A includes an ultrasonic oscillating unit 301 and a power supply 302, and the ultrasonic oscillating unit 301 is attached to the inside of the cleaning tank 300 and the ultrasonic waves. By driving the oscillating unit 301, the generated ultrasonic vibration is transmitted to the cleaning liquid inside the cleaning liquid tank 300, and further transmitted to the root vegetables B.
As described above, the ultrasonic vibration applying mechanism 3A includes an ultrasonic oscillating unit 301 and an external power supply 302, includes an operation panel 303 outside the cleaning liquid tank 300, and turns on the operation switch on the operation panel 303. Then, the generated ultrasonic vibration is transmitted to the cleaning liquid inside the cleaning liquid tank 300, and further transmitted to the root vegetables B. The operation panel 303 controls the operation of ultrasonic vibration. It may be linked with a timer mechanism.
The operation of the ultrasonic vibration is performed by the ultrasonic vibration generated by the oscillation of the ultrasonic oscillating unit 301 inside the cleaning liquid tank 300.

As shown in FIG. 1, after receiving the operation of the ultrasonic vibration, the root vegetables are transferred again to the second injection mechanism 4 of the cleaning liquid to the root vegetables by the transfer mechanism 1 by the belt conveyor. Ru.
Second injection mechanism 4 of the cleaning liquid into the root vegetables are the same configuration as that of the first injection mechanism 2 of the cleaning liquid to the root vegetables, data on the tip portion of the main body portion - the of Bonozuru such Since it is provided with the injection nozzle 4000 of No. 2 and has the same configuration, detailed description thereof including others will be omitted.

In the present invention, before the transfer of the cleaning liquid to the second injection mechanism 4, in addition to the operation of the ultrasonic vibration by the ultrasonic vibration applying mechanism 3A in the cleaning liquid tank 3, as shown in FIG. An inner tank 304 having a through hole H is provided in the cleaning liquid tank 300 to remove stains and burrs of root vegetables or remove the stains or burrs through the through hole H of the inner tank 304. The root vegetable stain and / or burr removal mechanism 3B can be used in combination. FIG. 4 shows an example obtained by adding the embodiment in addition to the embodiment of FIG. 1, and in particular, the embodiment is effective for removing burrs from root vegetables.
That is, the root vegetables B from which dirt and / or burrs have been removed to some extent by the first injection mechanism 2 of the cleaning liquid onto the root vegetables are then subjected to ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic vibration applying mechanism 3A in the cleaning liquid tank 300 . The vibration is transmitted to the cleaning liquid inside the cleaning liquid tank 300 and further transmitted to the root vegetables B to perform cleaning. In the embodiment, in addition to the ultrasonic vibration imparting by the ultrasonic vibration imparting mechanism 3A, the vibration is applied. the contamination of root crops through the through-hole H of the inner tub 304 and (or) removal mechanism 3B burrs, washing through the through-hole H of the inner tank 304 at the removing mechanism 3B is performed, the vessel Ultrasonic vibration is applied to the root vegetables in 304, and the stains and / or burrs of the root vegetables are cleaned by cleaning the root vegetables through the through hole H of the inner tank 304. The removal, especially the removal of burrs on root vegetables, can be made even more effective.
The cleaning liquid tank 300 to which the inner tank 304 used for the mechanism 3B for removing dirt and / or burrs of root vegetables through the through hole H of the inner tank 304 is attached will be described.
FIG. 5 shows an example of a cleaning liquid tank 300 provided with a mechanism 3B for removing dirt and / or burrs of root vegetables through the through hole H of the inner tank 304 and the inner tank 304.
The inner tank 304 has a plurality of through holes H.
A large number of through holes H in the inner tank 304 are provided, and are composed of, for example, punched holes by punching. The inner tank 304 is made of, for example, a rectangular three-dimensional object made of metal, for example, stainless steel, with an upper portion open. The inner tank 304 has, for example, an inner dimension of 600 mm × 400 mm.

Upon removal of dirt and (or) burr root crops through the through-hole H of the tank 304, it is swung to the inner tub 304 comprising a corresponding through-hole H in the vertical, even more more root vegetables It is effective in removing burrs of the same kind.
As shown in the figure, a swing mechanism 305 capable of swinging the inner tank 304 having the through hole H provided inside the cleaning liquid tank 300 is provided in addition to the ultrasonic wave oscillator 301. The swing mechanism 305 is composed of, for example, a crank mechanism or a cam mechanism that converts the rotary motion of the motor and the motor into a linear reciprocating motion. The rocking mechanism 305 is provided above the ultrasonic oscillating unit 301 inside the cleaning liquid tank 300.
For insertion and discharge into the cleaning liquid tank 300, for example, a hanging portion 306 as shown in the figure may be attached to the upper portion of the inner tank 304 having the through hole H. The inner tank 304 is connected to the swing mechanism 305.

In the present invention, the root vegetables B are first fed to the first injection mechanism 2 of the cleaning liquid to the root vegetables by the transfer mechanism 1 by the belt conveyor, and then the ultrasonic vibration imparting mechanism 3A in the cleaning liquid tank 300. , Root vegetable dirt and / or burr removal mechanism 3B through the through hole H of the inner tank 304, or the ultrasonic vibration imparting mechanism 3A and the cleaning liquid tank 300 performed when the removal mechanism 3B is carried out. The inner tank 304 having the through hole H attached to the inside is sent to the combined mechanism with the swing mechanism 305 to swing, and the root vegetables are cleaned by removing the dirt and / or burrs. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the finishing step is to remove the dirt and / or burrs on the root vegetables by the second injection mechanism 4 of the cleaning liquid to the root vegetables.

In the first injection mechanism 2 of the cleaning liquid to the root vegetables and the second injection mechanism 4 of the cleaning liquid to the root vegetables, water is usually supplied as the cleaning liquid from the injection nozzles 2000 and 4000. Further, water is usually supplied to the cleaning liquid tank 300 as a cleaning liquid. A pipe or hose for supplying water to the cleaning liquid tank 300 and a drain port for draining the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid tank 300 are provided, and the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 300 is replaced at the time of cleaning to perform cleaning with high cleaning efficiency. It is a device.
When a chemical capable of sterilizing root vegetables is mixed in the cleaning liquid sprayed onto the root vegetables or in the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 300 to clean the root vegetables with the cleaning liquid and sterilize the root vegetables, It can have a positive effect on the cleaning of root vegetables.
Ozone sterilization and sterilization by ultraviolet irradiation can also be performed.

The root vegetables used in the present invention mean vegetables whose rhizomes, bulbs, etc., which are mainly in the soil, are edible.
Examples of root vegetables include sweet potato, burdock, carrot, daikon, cub, taro, taro, konjac, lotus root, ginger, Jerusalem artichoke, kwai, yam, dioscorea opposita, garlic, scallions, lily, katakuri and the like.

The present invention is not limited to the above examples, and can be appropriately modified.

The method for cleaning root vegetables and the apparatus thereof of the present invention can be applied to various root vegetables, and can also be applied to long-rooted radishes and the like.

It is a schematic side view of the washing apparatus used in the root vegetable washing method of the Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the injection mechanism of the cleaning liquid which shows the Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the ultrasonic vibration addition mechanism which shows the Example of this invention. It is a schematic side view of the cleaning apparatus used in the root vegetable cleaning method which shows the other embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the cleaning liquid tank provided with the inner tank which shows the other Example of this invention.

1 ... Conveyor transfer mechanism 2 ... First injection mechanism of cleaning liquid to root vegetables 3A ... Ultrasonic vibration applying mechanism 3B ... Root vegetables dirt and / or burr removal mechanism through the through hole of the inner tank 300 ... Cleaning liquid tank 301 ... Ultrasonic wave oscillator 304 ... Inner tank 305 ... Swing mechanism that swings the inner tank having a through hole provided inside the cleaning liquid tank 2000 ... First injection nozzle 4000 ... Second injection nozzle B ... Root vegetables H ... Through hole

Claims (2)

In the method for cleaning root vegetables, which carries the root vegetables having at least one of dirt, burrs and dents into the conveyor transfer mechanism, cleans them, discharges them from the conveyor transfer mechanism, and cleans the root vegetables. The cleaning liquid is sprayed from the first injection nozzle onto the root vegetables having at least one of the stains, burrs and dents carried into the conveyor transfer mechanism to remove the stains and burrs on the root vegetables or the stains or After removing the burrs, the root vegetables are sent to the cleaning liquid tank by the conveyor transfer mechanism , and the root vegetables are washed by applying ultrasonic vibration to the root vegetables in the cleaning liquid tank, and in the cleaning liquid tank. An inner tank having a through hole is attached to the root vegetable to clean the root vegetables, and the inner tank having the through hole is swung up and down to obtain the dirt and burrs of the root vegetable. Or the dirt or burrs are removed, and then the root vegetables are sprayed with a cleaning liquid from the second injection nozzle in the conveyor transfer mechanism to remove the dirt and burrs or the dirt or burrs on the root vegetables. A method for cleaning root vegetables, which comprises discharging the root vegetables from the conveyor transfer mechanism after removing the root vegetables. It is characterized in that a chemical capable of sterilizing root vegetables is mixed in the cleaning liquid sprayed onto the root vegetables or in the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank to wash the root vegetables with the cleaning liquid and sterilize the root vegetables. The method for cleaning root vegetables according to claim 1.

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