Rice milling unit

Abstract

To provide a rice milling unit capable of appropriately milling raw material unpolished rice on the basis of objective property determination without dependance on objective determination such as operator's experience or hunch.SOLUTION: This rice milling unit comprises: a first flow path 60 through which raw material unpolished rice measured in volume weight is sent to a first grinding milling unit 30; a first bypass path 62 through which the raw material unpolished rice is sent to a second grinding milling unit 31 without being sent to the first grinding milling unit; a second flow path 64 through which the raw material unpolished rice passed through the second grinding milling unit is sent to a strong-friction milling unit 40; and a second bypass path 65 through which the raw material unpolished rice passed through the second grinding milling unit is sent to a weak-friction milling unit 41 without being sent to the strong-friction milling unit. Control means 5 executes opening / closing control for the first and second bypass paths on the basis of the volume weight of the raw material unpolished rice.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rice milling unit particularly suitable for milling raw brown rice, for example, specific rice grains (broken rice).

Background Art

[0002] Grains sifted out from the mesh of a sieve, such as small rice grains or rice grains with a slightly chipped part, are called specific rice grains and are used as food ingredients for rice confectionery, miso, soy sauce, shochu, beer, etc. The quality of specific rice grains is often grasped by the volume weight, and the standard range for both polished rice and glutinous rice is from 330 momme / liter (687.5 g / liter) to 380 momme / liter (791.6 g / liter). Such specific rice grains vary in shape and the hardness of the bran layer, and it is desirable to change the rice milling method according to their quality.

[0003] As a conventional technique, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 describe a rice milling machine in which a friction type rice milling part is connected downstream of a grinding type rice milling part, and according to the quality of raw brown rice, it is possible to select whether to pass the raw brown rice directly through the friction type rice milling part or through the friction type rice milling part via the grinding type rice milling part. According to such a rice milling machine, it becomes easier to meet the rice milling quality such as the required whiteness, yield, and germ remaining rate, and even raw brown rice that is easily cracked can be prevented from cracking.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, for rice milling machines such as those described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 above, the operator visually selects the quality of the raw paddy rice and then determines whether to directly pass the raw paddy rice through the friction rice milling section or to pass it through the friction rice milling section after passing through the abrasive rice milling section. Therefore, in order to perform accurate rice milling, a high level of judgment ability based on the operator's experience is required, and there is also a risk of being confused in judgment or the judgment being inaccurate.

[0006] In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a rice milling unit that can appropriately mill raw paddy rice based on objective property determination without relying on subjective judgments such as the operator's experience and intuition.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention comprises abrasive rice milling means, friction rice milling means, and control means. The abrasive rice milling means has a first abrasive rice milling section and a second abrasive rice milling section arranged downstream of the first abrasive rice milling section. The friction rice milling means has a strong friction rice milling section and a weak friction rice milling section that is arranged downstream of the strong friction rice milling section and mills rice with a frictional force weaker than that of the strong friction rice milling section. The rice milling unit is provided with a first flow path through which raw paddy rice with a measured bulk density is sent to the first abrasive rice milling section, a first bypass path through which the raw paddy rice is sent to the second abrasive rice milling section without being sent to the first abrasive rice milling section, a second flow path through which the raw paddy rice that has passed through the second abrasive rice milling section is sent to the strong friction rice milling section, and a second bypass path through which the raw paddy rice that has passed through the second abrasive rice milling section is sent to the weak friction rice milling section without being sent to the strong friction rice milling section. The control means performs opening and closing control on the first bypass path and the second bypass path based on the bulk density of the raw paddy rice.

[0008] Furthermore, the control means includes a reference value setting unit capable of setting a lightweight-side reference value and a heavyweight-side reference value having a greater volume weight than the lightweight-side reference value in the volume weight of the raw paddy rice, and a comparison determination unit that compares the measured volume weight of the raw paddy rice with the lightweight-side reference value and the heavyweight-side reference value and performs opening and closing control on the first bypass path and the second bypass path. When the measured volume weight of the raw paddy rice is greater than or equal to the heavyweight-side reference value, the comparison determination unit allows the raw paddy rice to pass through the first bypass path while not allowing the raw paddy rice to pass through the second bypass path. When the measured volume weight of the raw paddy rice is less than the heavyweight-side reference value and greater than or equal to the lightweight-side reference value, the comparison determination unit does not allow the raw paddy rice to pass through the first bypass path and the second bypass path. When the measured volume weight of the raw paddy rice is less than the lightweight-side reference value, the comparison determination unit allows the raw paddy rice to pass through the second bypass path while not allowing the raw paddy rice to pass through the first bypass path. A rice milling unit characterized by performing such control.

[0009] Furthermore, a rice milling unit characterized by including volume weight measuring means capable of measuring the volume weight of raw paddy rice on the line in front of the abrasive rice milling means before rice milling processing.

[0010] Furthermore, a rice milling unit characterized in that the heavyweight-side reference value is a value of 370 momme / liter or more.

[0011] Furthermore, a rice milling unit characterized in that the lightweight-side reference value is a value less than 330 momme / liter.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to perform appropriate rice milling processing based on an objective determination of the properties of raw paddy rice without relying on subjective judgments such as the experience and intuition of an operator.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the rice milling unit of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a front view of the rice milling unit 1 in the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the control configuration of the rice milling unit 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram explaining the flow of rice milling processing, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart explaining the rice milling process.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the rice milling unit 1 of the present embodiment includes a grinding type rice milling means 3, a friction type rice milling means 4, and a control means 5. The grinding type rice milling means 3 has a first grinding rice milling section 30 and a second grinding rice milling section 31 disposed downstream of the first grinding rice milling section 30. The friction type rice milling means 4 has a strong friction rice milling section 40 and a weak friction rice milling section 41 disposed downstream of the strong friction rice milling section 40 and performing rice milling with a frictional force weaker than that of the strong friction rice milling section 40. According to these configurations, for example, it is particularly suitable for milling so-called "specific rice (broken rice)" used as food raw materials such as rice confectionery, miso, soy sauce, shochu, and beer.

[0017] Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, on the line upstream of the grinding type rice milling means 3, a volume weight measuring means 2 capable of measuring the volume weight of the raw paddy rice before subjecting the raw paddy rice to rice milling processing is provided. Then, the volume weight of the raw paddy rice measured by the volume weight measuring means 2 is transmitted to the control means 5 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0018] The above-mentioned first milling and polishing section 30 and second milling and polishing section 31 each have the same structure as known milling and polishing means, and are configured by rotatably providing a milling roll body inside a bran-removing and whitening cylinder.

[0019] Also, the first milling and polishing section 30 is installed above the housing 32, and the second milling and polishing section 31 is installed below the housing 32. At the lower part of the housing 32, as shown in FIG. 1, a milling section discharge port 320 for discharging specific rice that has passed through the milling and polishing means 3 is formed.

[0020] Since the milling and polishing means 3 is a two-stage and long-stroke type, a sufficient milling and polishing effect can be obtained by passing the raw paddy through only once. Above the housing 32, as shown in FIG. 1, a first raw material tank 33 is installed, and the raw paddy whose volume weight has been measured by the volume weight measuring means 2 is supplied to the first raw material tank 33 via the first winnower 34.

[0021] As described above, the friction type milling and polishing means 4 has a strong friction milling and polishing section 40 and a weak friction milling and polishing section 41. The strong friction milling and polishing section 40 and the weak friction milling and polishing section 41 each have the same structure as known friction type milling and polishing means. Specifically, it is configured by rotatably providing a friction roll body inside a bran-removing and whitening cylinder (not shown). The internal pressure of the strong friction milling and polishing section 40 is stronger than that of the weak friction milling and polishing section 41, and the weak friction milling and polishing section 41 is configured to perform milling and polishing with a weaker frictional force than the strong friction milling and polishing section 40.

[0022] In order to increase the frictional force of the strong friction milling and polishing section 40 and decrease the frictional force of the weak friction milling and polishing section 41, the number of corners of the cross-section of the bran-removing and whitening cylinder can be increased in the weak friction milling and polishing section 41 compared to the strong friction milling and polishing section 40 (for example, hexagonal in the strong friction milling and polishing section 40 and dodecagonal in the weak friction milling and polishing section 41), and the angle of the stirring protrusions provided on the friction roll body with respect to the axial direction can be formed parallel in the strong friction milling and polishing section 40 so that no feeding action occurs, and formed inclined in the weak friction milling and polishing section 41, which makes it possible to achieve this.

[0023] Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the strong friction rice polishing section 40 is installed at the upper part of the housing 42, and the weak friction rice polishing section 41 is installed at the lower part of the housing 42. A friction section discharge port 420 for discharging specific rice that has passed through the friction type rice polishing means 4 is formed at the lower part of the housing 42. Above the housing 42, a second raw material tank 43 is installed, and the specific rice discharged from the grinding section discharge port 320 of the grinding type rice polishing means 3 is supplied to the second raw material tank 43 via the second elevating machine 44.

[0024] As described above, as shown in the front view of FIG. 1 and the schematic view of FIG. 3, the rice polishing unit 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that raw paddy can pass through the first elevating machine 34, the first raw material tank 33, the first grinding rice polishing section 30 and the second grinding rice polishing section 31 of the grinding type rice polishing means 3, the second elevating machine 44, the second raw material tank 43, the strong friction rice polishing section 40 and the weak friction rice polishing section 41 of the friction type rice polishing means 4 in this order. Then, the raw paddy whose volume weight has been measured by the volume weight measuring means 2 is lifted to the first raw material tank 33 by the first elevating machine 34 and sent from the first raw material tank 33 to the first switching valve 61.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the first switching valve 61 can switch between a first flow path 60 that sends the raw paddy sent from the first raw material tank 33 to the first grinding rice polishing section 30 and a first bypass path 62 that can send the raw paddy to the second grinding rice polishing section 31 without passing through the first grinding rice polishing section 30.

[0026] Furthermore, the raw paddy that has completed the processing step by the grinding type rice polishing means 3 is lifted to the second raw material tank 43 by the second elevating machine 44 as shown in FIG. 3 and sent from the second raw material tank 43 to the second switching valve 63.

[0027] Also, the second switching valve 63 can switch between a second flow path 64 that sends the raw paddy sent from the second raw material tank 43 to the strong friction rice polishing section 40 and a second bypass path 65 that can send the raw paddy to the weak friction rice polishing section 41 without passing through the strong friction rice polishing section 40. The switching of the first switching valve 61 and the second switching valve 63 described above is controlled by a control means 5 described later.

[0028] As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2, the control means 5 in the present embodiment includes a receiving unit 50, a volume weight information acquisition unit 51, a storage unit 52, a comparison determination unit 53, a reference value setting unit 54, and a transmission unit 55. The receiving unit 50 is connected to the volume weight measuring means 2 and the volume weight information acquisition unit 51, and the volume weight of the raw paddy rice measured by the volume weight measuring means 2 is acquired by the volume weight information acquisition unit 51 via the receiving unit 50. The volume weight of the raw paddy rice acquired by the volume weight information acquisition unit 51 is sent to the comparison determination unit 53.

[0029] In the storage unit 52, a weight side reference value and a lightweight side reference value of the volume weight of the raw paddy rice are stored. In the present embodiment, the weight side reference value of the volume weight is 370 momme / liter (770.8 g / liter), and the lightweight side reference value of the volume weight is 330 momme / liter (687.5 g / liter). The weight side reference value and the lightweight side reference value of the volume weight stored in the storage unit 52 are sent to the comparison determination unit 53. Further, a reference value setting unit 54 capable of setting the weight side reference value and the lightweight side reference value is connected to the storage unit 52, and an operator or the like can set arbitrary weight side reference value and lightweight side reference value and store them in the storage unit 52.

[0030] In the comparison determination unit 53, the volume weight of the raw paddy rice measured by the volume weight measuring means 2 sent from the volume weight information acquisition unit 51 is compared with the weight side reference value and the lightweight side reference value sent from the storage unit 52. Then, based on the result of the comparison determination in the comparison determination unit 53, the transmission unit 55 sends a switching signal to the first switching valve 61 and the second switching valve 63, and the passage route of the raw paddy rice is selected as described later.

[0031] Specifically, when the volume weight of the raw paddy rice measured by the volume weight measuring means 2 is 370 momme / liter (770.8 g / liter) or more, which is the weight side reference value, it is treated as general rice. For general rice, yield, germ remaining rate, bran breakage, etc. are important, and since it is relatively soft and easily damaged, it is preferable to reduce the ratio of polished rice by grinding and take the germ by polished rice that emphasizes friction.

[0032] Therefore, when the bulk density of the raw brown rice is 370 monme / liter (770.8 g / liter) or more, which is the weight-side reference value, as shown in FIG. 3, the first switching valve 61 closes the first flow path 60 and switches the flow path to the first bypass path 62 to send the raw brown rice to the second abrasive polishing unit 31. On the other hand, the second switching valve 63 closes the second bypass path 65 and switches the flow path to the second flow path 64 to send the raw brown rice to the strong friction polishing unit 40. By such switching control of the flow path of the raw brown rice, the raw brown rice with a bulk density of the weight-side reference value or more is avoided from passing through the first abrasive polishing unit 30 and is processed through the second abrasive polishing unit 31, the strong friction polishing unit 40, and the weak friction polishing unit 41.

[0033] Next, when the bulk density of the raw brown rice measured by the bulk density measuring means 2 is in the range of 330 monme / liter (687.5 g / liter) or more, which is the lightweight-side reference value, and less than 370 monme / liter (770.8 g / liter), which is the weight-side reference value, although it is not treated as general rice, in order to meet a wide range of product requirements because it is used for various purposes, it is necessary to perform both abrasive polishing and friction polishing and to emphasize abrasive polishing in order to increase the yield.

[0034] Therefore, when the bulk density of the raw brown rice is in the range of the lightweight-side reference value or more and less than the weight-side reference value, the comparison determination unit 53 controls the first switching valve 61 and the second switching valve 63 to close the first bypass path 62 and the second bypass path 65, respectively. As a result, the raw brown rice is processed through the first abrasive polishing unit 30, the second abrasive polishing unit 31, the strong friction polishing unit 40, and the weak friction polishing unit 41.

[0035] Next, when the bulk density of the raw brown rice measured by the bulk density measuring means 2 is less than 330 monme / liter (687.5 g / liter), which is the lightweight-side reference value, such raw brown rice is brittle and easily cracked, and when strong pressure is applied, it collapses into powder. Therefore, if strong friction polishing is performed, the yield will deteriorate.

[0036] Therefore, when the bulk density of the raw paddy rice is less than the lightweight reference value, the first switching valve 61 closes the first bypass passage 62 and switches the flow path to the first flow path 60 so that the raw paddy rice is sent to the first grinding and polishing unit 30. On the other hand, the second switching valve 63 closes the second flow path 64 and switches the flow path to the second bypass passage 65 so that the raw paddy rice is sent to the weak friction polishing unit 41. As a result, the raw paddy rice is processed by passing through the first grinding and polishing unit 30, the second grinding and polishing unit 31, and the weak friction polishing unit 41.

[0037] Next, an example of the polishing process of the raw paddy rice in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. First, the power of the polishing unit 1 is turned on to start the polishing process. Subsequently, the bulk density of the raw paddy rice to be polished is measured by the bulk density measuring means 2 (S1).

[0038] Next, the bulk density of the raw paddy rice measured by the bulk density measuring means 2 is sent to the control means 5 (S2). The bulk density of the raw paddy rice sent to the control means 5 is acquired by the bulk density information acquisition unit 51 via the reception unit 50 (S3).

[0039] Next, the bulk density of the raw paddy rice acquired by the bulk density information acquisition unit 51 is sent to the comparison and determination unit 53 (S4). Further, the heavy side reference value and the lightweight reference value of the bulk density stored in the storage unit 52 are sent to the comparison and determination unit 53 (S5).

[0040] Next, the comparison and determination unit 53 determines whether or not the bulk density (γ) of the raw paddy rice to be polished is equal to or greater than the heavy side reference value (HV) (S6). If the bulk density (γ) of the raw paddy rice is equal to or greater than the heavy side reference value (HV), the comparison and determination unit 53 controls the first switching valve 61 and the second switching valve 63 via the transmission unit 55 so that the first switching valve 61 opens the first bypass passage 62 while the second switching valve 63 closes the second bypass passage 65 (S7). As a result, the raw paddy rice to be polished is polished by passing through the second grinding and polishing unit 31, the strong friction polishing unit 40, and the weak friction polishing unit 41 while avoiding the first grinding and polishing unit 30 (S11).

[0041] On the other hand, in step 6 (S6), if it is determined that the bulk density (γ) of the raw brown rice is not equal to or greater than the weight reference value (HV), subsequently, it is determined whether the bulk density (γ) of the raw brown rice is equal to or greater than the lightweight reference value (LV) and less than the weight reference value (HV) (S8). Here, if it is determined that the bulk density (γ) of the raw brown rice is equal to or greater than the lightweight reference value (LV) and less than the weight reference value (HV), the comparison determination unit 53 controls the first switching valve 61 and the second switching valve 63 via the transmission unit 55 so that both the first bypass passage 62 and the second bypass passage 65 are closed (S9). As a result, the raw brown rice to be polished passes through the first flow path 60 and the second flow path 64, and is polished by passing through the first grinding and polishing unit 30, the second grinding and polishing unit 31, the strong friction polishing unit 40, and the weak friction polishing unit 41 (S11).

[0042] Also, in step 8 (S8), if it is determined that the bulk density (γ) of the raw brown rice is not equal to or greater than the lightweight reference value (LV) and less than the weight reference value (HV), since the bulk density (γ) of the raw brown rice is less than the lightweight reference value (LV), the comparison determination unit 53 controls the first switching valve 61 and the second switching valve 63 via the transmission unit 55 so that the first switching valve 61 closes the first bypass passage 62 while the second switching valve 63 opens the second bypass passage 65 (S10). As a result, the raw brown rice to be polished is polished by passing through the first grinding and polishing unit 30, the second grinding and polishing unit 31, and the weak friction polishing unit 41 (S11).

[0043] Next, it is determined whether the polishing process of the raw brown rice is completed (S12). If it is determined that the polishing process is completed, the power supply of the polishing unit 1 is turned off to end the series of polishing steps. Note that whether the polishing process of the raw brown rice is completed can be determined, for example, by whether a raw brown rice supply hopper (not shown) has become empty or whether a predetermined amount of raw brown rice has been supplied.

[0044] (Other Modifications) As described above, one embodiment of the polishing unit 1 of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the following are also included.

[0045] In the above-described embodiment, the light-side reference value of the volume weight of specific rice was set to 330 monme / liter (687.5 g / liter), and the heavy-side reference value was set to 370 monme / liter (770.8 g / liter). However, it is not necessarily limited to such reference values, and the reference value setting unit 54 can appropriately change them according to the variety of raw paddy rice and the like.

[0046] In the above-described embodiment, the switching of the first switching valve 61 and the second switching valve 63 is automatically controlled by the control means 5, but the switching operation may be manually performed according to the volume weight of the raw paddy rice measured by the volume weight measuring means 2.

[0047] The above-described control means 5 is not particularly limited in its installation location, and may be provided in the main body of the rice milling unit 1 or in the vicinity thereof, or may be configured to be remotely controlled.

[0048] In the above-described embodiment, on the line before the abrasive rice milling means 3, the volume weight measuring means 2 capable of measuring the volume weight of the raw paddy rice before subjecting the raw paddy rice to rice milling treatment is provided. However, it is not necessarily limited to such a form. For example, the measurement result of the volume weight in the laboratory may be directly input to the control means 5.

[0049] The embodiments and modified examples of the present invention have been described above. The above-described embodiments of the invention are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and do not limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from its gist, and equivalents thereof are included in the present invention. Also, within the range where at least a part of the above-described problems can be solved, or at least a part of the effects can be achieved, combinations or omissions of the respective components described in the claims and the specification are possible.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0050] 1 Rice milling unit 2 Volume weight measuring means 3 Abrasive rice milling means 30 First Grinding and Polishing Unit 31 Second Grinding and Polishing Unit 32 Housing 320 Grinding Unit Discharge Port 33 First Raw Material Tank 34 First Winnower 4 Friction-Type Polishing Means 40 Strong Friction Polishing Unit 41 Weak Friction Polishing Unit 42 Housing 420 Friction Unit Discharge Port 43 Second Raw Material Tank 44 Second Winnower 5 Control Means 50 Receiver 51 Bulk Density Information Acquisition Unit 52 Memory Unit 53 Comparison and Judgment Unit 54 Reference Value Setting Unit 55 Transmitter 60 First Flow Path 61 First Switching Valve 62 First Bypass Path 63 Second Switching Valve 64 Second Flow Path 65 Second Bypass Path

Claims

1. A rice milling unit comprising a grinding type rice milling means, a friction type rice milling means, and a control means, wherein the grinding type rice milling means has a first grinding rice milling section and a second grinding rice milling section disposed downstream of the first grinding rice milling section, and the friction type rice milling means has a strong friction rice milling section and a weak friction rice milling section disposed downstream of the strong friction rice milling section and performing rice milling with a weaker frictional force than the strong friction rice milling section, a first flow path through which raw paddy rice with a measured volume weight is sent to the first grinding rice milling section, a first bypass path through which the raw paddy rice is sent to the second grinding rice milling section without being sent to the first grinding rice milling section, a second flow path through which the raw paddy rice that has passed through the second grinding rice milling section is sent to the strong friction rice milling section, and a second bypass path through which the raw paddy rice that has passed through the second grinding rice milling section is sent to the weak friction rice milling section without being sent to the strong friction rice milling section, the control means, performs opening and closing control on the first bypass path and the second bypass path based on the volume weight of the raw paddy rice characterized rice milling unit.

2. the control means, a reference value setting unit capable of setting a lightweight side reference value and a weight side reference value having a larger volume weight than the lightweight side reference value in the volume weight of the raw paddy rice, a comparison and determination unit that compares the measured volume weight of the raw paddy rice with the lightweight side reference value and the weight side reference value and performs opening and closing control on the first bypass path and the second bypass path, the comparison and determination unit, when the measured volume weight of the raw paddy rice is equal to or greater than the weight side reference value, allows the raw paddy rice to pass through the first bypass path while not allowing the raw paddy rice to pass through the second bypass path, when the measured volume weight of the raw paddy rice is less than the weight side reference value and equal to or greater than the lightweight side reference value, does not allow the raw paddy rice to pass through the first bypass path and the second bypass path, when the measured volume weight of the raw paddy rice is less than the lightweight side reference value, controls to allow the raw paddy rice to pass through the second bypass path while not allowing the raw paddy rice to pass through the first bypass path characterized rice milling unit according to claim 1.

3. On the line in front of the grinding type rice milling means, a volume weight measuring means capable of measuring the volume weight of the raw paddy rice before rice milling is provided characterized rice milling unit according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The weight side reference value is a value of 370 momme / liter or more characterized rice milling unit according to claim 2.

5. The lightweight reference value is less than 330 momme / liter. The rice milling unit according to claim 2 or 4, characterized by this.

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