Vegetable washing apparatus and vegetable washing method

Abstract

To provide a vegetable washing apparatus in which vegetables placed in a colander basket are washed by being immersed in a washing liquid in a washing tank, the vegetable washing apparatus allowing a water flow of the washing liquid to sufficiently contact the vegetables without the water flow of the washing liquid being obstructed by the colander basket.SOLUTION: A vegetable washing apparatus 1 includes a washing tank 9 into which a colander basket 3 containing a washing liquid 13 and vegetables 5 is placed, and a nozzle unit 11 including a nozzle 15 that enters into the colander basket 3 placed in the washing tank 9 and discharges the washing liquid within the colander basket 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vegetable washing device and a vegetable washing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a vegetable washing device equipped with a washing tank, a screw, and a nozzle is known (see Patent Document 1). In the conventional washing device, a basket containing vegetables is placed in a washing tank filled with washing liquid. The screw and nozzle are installed in the washing tank so that they are submerged in the washing liquid.

[0003] The screw and nozzle are located outside the basket containing the vegetables and are submerged in the cleaning solution in the washing tank. The cleaning solution is discharged from the nozzle while the screw is rotating, washing the vegetables in the basket. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-192380 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the above-mentioned conventional vegetable washing device, even if the screw is rotated and the washing liquid is discharged from the nozzle, the strainer basket may obstruct the flow of the washing liquid, and the flow of the washing liquid may not reach the vegetables sufficiently.

[0006] To provide a vegetable washing device and a vegetable washing method for washing vegetables by immersing vegetables in a basket in a washing liquid in a washing tank, in which the flow of the washing liquid is not obstructed by the basket and the flow of the washing liquid is sufficiently applied to the vegetables. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A vegetable washing device according to one aspect of the present invention is a vegetable washing device having a washing tank containing washing liquid and a basket containing vegetables, and a nozzle unit equipped with a nozzle that enters the basket inside the washing tank and ejects washing liquid into the basket.

[0008] In a vegetable washing device according to an aspect of the present invention, a plurality of washing tanks are provided, a plurality of nozzle units are provided, each of the plurality of strainer cages is configured to enter the interior of each of the plurality of washing tanks, each of the plurality of nozzle units is configured to enter the strainer cage inside each of the plurality of washing tanks and to eject washing liquid inside the strainer cage, and a strainer cage transport unit is provided for transporting each of the plurality of strainer cages, and the plurality of strainer cages are configured to enter each of the plurality of washing tanks in sequence by the strainer cage transport unit.

[0009] In a vegetable washing device according to this aspect of the present invention, the basket conveying unit is configured to move the nozzle unit, and the basket conveying unit is configured to move the nozzle unit between a lower position inside the basket that has entered the washing tank and an upper position outside the basket that has entered the washing tank at the top of the washing tank.

[0010] In a vegetable washing device according to an aspect of the present invention, the nozzle unit is configured to include a lid portion and the nozzle, the nozzle protruding from the lid portion, and the lid portion is configured to block the opening of the sieve basket when the nozzle unit enters a basket placed inside the washing tank containing washing liquid and ejects washing liquid from the nozzle inside the basket.

[0011] In a vegetable washing device according to an aspect of the present invention, the basket conveying section is configured to include a plurality of fixed guide rails that guide the basket being conveyed, a plurality of movable guide rails that guide the basket being conveyed and move the basket in the vertical direction, and a plurality of movable bodies that move the basket in the vertical direction and in the horizontal entrance / exit direction, and each of the plurality of fixed guide rails is located above the washing tank and away from the washing tank in the vertical direction, and in the entrance / exit direction is located at a plurality of inter-tank locations between adjacent washing tanks among the plurality of washing tanks, and each of the plurality of movable guide rails is located at a plurality of inter-tank locations between adjacent washing tanks among the plurality of washing tanks in the entrance / exit direction. The movable body is positioned in each of the cleaning tanks, and moves in the vertical direction between a lower position where the strainer cage guided by the movable guide rail enters the cleaning tank and an upper position where the strainer cage guided by the movable guide rail is above the cleaning tank and outside the cleaning tank.When the movable body moves in the entrance / exit direction, it engages with the strainer cage and transports the strainer cage, and is configured to move in the vertical direction between a lower position where the nozzle of the nozzle unit is inside the strainer cage and inside the cleaning tank, and an upper position where the nozzle is above the cleaning tank and outside the cleaning tank.

[0012] A vegetable washing method according to one aspect of the present invention includes a basket immersion process in which a basket containing vegetables is placed in a washing tank containing washing liquid, and a washing liquid discharge process in which, while the basket containing vegetables is placed in the washing tank containing washing liquid in the basket immersion process, a nozzle is inserted into the basket and washing liquid is discharged from the nozzle.

[0013] In a vegetable washing method according to one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of washing tanks are provided, the basket immersion process is a process in which each of the plurality of baskets enters each of the plurality of washing tanks, the washing liquid ejection process is a process in which the nozzle is inserted into the basket inside each of the plurality of washing tanks and the washing liquid is ejected into the basket, and a basket transport process is provided in which each of the plurality of baskets is transported, and in the basket transport process, the plurality of baskets are transported by entering each of the plurality of washing tanks in sequence. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, in a vegetable washing device and a vegetable washing method in which vegetables placed in a basket are immersed in a washing liquid in a washing tank and washed, the effect of providing a vegetable washing device and a vegetable washing method in which the flow of the washing liquid is not obstructed by the basket and the flow of the washing liquid is sufficiently applied to the vegetables can be achieved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a vegetable washing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a view taken along the arrow II in FIG. 1 and is a plan view of the vegetable washing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a view taken along the arrow III in FIGS. [Figure 4] 4 is a view taken along the arrow IV in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a view taken along arrows VV in FIGS. 1 and 2. [Figure 6] 6 is a view taken along the line VI-VI in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a view taken along the line VII-VII in FIGS. 1 and 2. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a view taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIGS. 1 and 2. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B are diagrams showing a strainer basket used in the vegetable washing device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line IXB-IXB in FIG. 9A. [Figure 10] 2 is a diagram showing a nozzle unit and a basket conveying unit (moving body) of the vegetable washing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 11] 3 is a diagram showing a fixed guide rail and a basket conveying unit (movable guide rail) of the vegetable washing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 and showing the operation of the vegetable washing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 and showing the operation of the vegetable washing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 and showing the operation of the vegetable washing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 and showing the operation of the vegetable washing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 and showing the operation of the vegetable washing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 and showing the operation of the vegetable washing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 and showing the operation of the vegetable washing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 and showing the operation of the vegetable washing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] 3 is a diagram showing a flow path of a cleaning liquid in the vegetable washing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] As shown in Figs. 1 to 8, a vegetable washing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a device that washes vegetables 5 (see Fig. 20) contained in a basket (vegetable basket) 3 while they are still in the basket 3. The vegetables 5 are, for example, cut to an appropriate size for serving to customers. The vegetable washing device 1 is configured to include a housing 7, a washing tank 9, and a nozzle unit 11.

[0017] Here, for ease of explanation, one predetermined horizontal direction will be referred to as the entrance / exit direction, another predetermined horizontal direction that is perpendicular to the entrance / exit direction will be referred to as the width direction, and the direction that is perpendicular to the entrance / exit direction and the width direction will be referred to as the up / down direction.

[0018] The washing tank 9 is provided integrally with the housing 7 within the housing 7. The washing tank 9 is configured to hold a washing liquid 13 for washing the vegetables 5 and a basket 3 in which the vegetables 5 are placed (see Figure 20). As shown in Figure 9, the basket 3 is formed in a box shape and is open at the top. The washing tank 9 is larger than the basket 3, is formed in a roughly box shape, and is open at the top.

[0019] Nozzle unit 11 is configured to include, for example, a plurality of nozzles 15. Nozzle unit 11 is configured to be placed inside a strainer cage 3 that is placed inside cleaning tank 9. Inside strainer cage 3, nozzles 15 are configured to discharge cleaning liquid 13. Note that nozzle 15 is provided with a plurality of through holes 17 for discharging cleaning liquid 13 that has flowed inside nozzle 15 to the outside of nozzle 15.

[0020] Washing of the vegetables 5 includes, for example, washing to remove foreign matter attached to the vegetables 5 (rough washing), washing to sterilize the vegetables 5, washing to rinse the vegetables 5, and the like.

[0021] A plurality of (for example, three) cleaning tanks 9 are provided. The cleaning tanks 9 (9A, 9B, 9C) are aligned vertically. The cleaning tanks 9 (9A, 9B, 9C) are arranged at regular intervals in the entrance / exit direction.

[0022] A plurality of nozzle units 11 are provided, the same number as the cleaning tanks 9. Each of the plurality of strainer cages 3 is configured to fit inside each of the plurality of cleaning tanks 9 (9A, 9B, 9C) (see Figure 19). Each of the plurality of nozzle units 11 (11A, 11B, 11C) is configured to fit inside a strainer cage 3 that is inside each of the plurality of cleaning tanks 9 (9A, 9B, 9C). Each of the nozzles 15 of the plurality of nozzle units 11 (11A, 11B, 11C) is configured to eject cleaning liquid 13 inside the strainer cage 3.

[0023] For example, the cleaning liquid 13 discharged from nozzle unit 11A in cleaning tank 9A, the cleaning liquid 13 discharged from nozzle unit 11B in cleaning tank 9B, and the cleaning liquid 13 discharged from nozzle unit 11C in cleaning tank 9C are all different from one another. That is, the cleaning liquid 13 discharged from nozzle unit 11A is a cleaning liquid for rough cleaning. The cleaning liquid 13 discharged from nozzle unit 11B is a cleaning liquid for sterilization. The cleaning liquid 13 discharged from nozzle unit 11C is a cleaning liquid for rinsing.

[0024] The vegetable washing device 1 is configured with a basket conveying section 19 that conveys each of the multiple baskets 3 (3A, 3B, 3C, etc.). The basket conveying section 19 moves the baskets 3 from the entrance side to the exit side above the washing tank 9 in the entrance / exit direction, and moves the baskets 3 up and down at the washing tank 9 in the vertical direction.

[0025] The plurality of baskets 3 (3A, 3B, 3C, etc.) are sequentially (one after another) introduced into each of the plurality of cleaning tanks 9 (9A, 9B, 9C) by the basket transport unit 19. The plurality of baskets 3 (3A, 3B, 3C, etc.) are sequentially taken out of each of the plurality of cleaning tanks 9 (9A, 9B, 9C) by the basket transport unit 19.

[0026] The sequential movement of the plurality of basket cages 3 into and out of the plurality of cleaning tanks 9 (9A, 9B, 9C) will be described using an example in which three cleaning tanks 9 are provided.

[0027] First, the first basket 3A enters the first cleaning tank 9A. After this, the first basket 3A leaves the first cleaning tank 9A and enters the second cleaning tank 9B, while the second basket 3B enters the first cleaning tank 9A. After this, the first basket 3A leaves the second cleaning tank 9B and enters the third cleaning tank 9C. Furthermore, the second basket 3B leaves the first cleaning tank 9A and enters the second cleaning tank 9B, while the third basket 3C enters the first cleaning tank 9A.

[0028] In this way, the first Zarcago 3A moves through the first cleaning tank 9A, the second cleaning tank 9B, and the third cleaning tank 9C in that order. The second Zarcago 3B also moves through the first cleaning tank 9A, the second cleaning tank 9B, and the third cleaning tank 9C in that order, following the first Zarcago 3A. The third and subsequent Zarcagos 3 also move in the same way. Although there are only three cleaning tanks, there are naturally four or more Zarcagos 3.

[0029] Furthermore, in the vegetable washing device 1, the strainer basket conveying unit 19 is configured to move not only the strainer basket 3 but also the nozzle unit 11 (see Figure 10, etc.). The strainer basket conveying unit 19 is configured to move the nozzle unit 11 vertically between a lower position (nozzle unit lower position) P1 and an upper position (nozzle unit upper position) P2. At the lower position P1, the nozzle unit 11 is inside the strainer basket 3 which is inside the washing tank 9. At the upper position P2, the nozzle unit 11 is outside the strainer basket 3 which is inside the washing tank 9 at the top of the washing tank 9.

[0030] The nozzle unit 11 is configured with one lid portion 21 and a plurality of (for example, four) nozzles 15, and the nozzles 15 protrude downward from the lid portion 21. The nozzle unit 11 enters a basket 3 that is placed in a washing tank 9 containing washing liquid 13, and discharges the washing liquid 13 from the nozzles 15 inside the basket 3. At this time, the lid portion 21 closes the opening at the top end of the basket 3 to prevent the vegetables 5 contained in the basket 3 from floating up (see Figure 8, etc.).

[0031] When the vegetables 5 are in the basket 3, all of the vegetables 5 are contained within the basket 3. When the basket 3 is in the cleaning tank 9 containing the cleaning liquid 13, the entire basket 3 is immersed in the cleaning liquid 13. When the basket 3 is in the cleaning tank 9 containing the cleaning liquid 13 and the nozzle unit 11 is further in the basket 3, the entire nozzle 15 and at least the lower end of the lid 21 are immersed in the cleaning liquid 13. Then, all of the vegetables 5 are located below the lid 21 within the basket 3 and immersed in the cleaning liquid 13 (see Figure 20, etc.).

[0032] The cage transport unit 19 is configured to include a plurality of fixed guide rails 23 (23A, 23B, 23C, 23D), a plurality of movable guide rails 25 (25A, 25B, 25C), and a plurality of movable bodies 27 (27A, 27B, 27C, 27D).

[0033] A plurality of fixed guide rails 23 (23A, 23B, 23C, 23D) are provided integrally with the housing 7 and are configured to guide the strainer cage 3, which is transported from the entrance side to the exit side in the entrance / exit direction, above the cleaning tank 9. The strainer cage 3, guided by the fixed guide rails 23, can only move in the entrance / exit direction.

[0034] The plurality of movable guide rails 25 (25A, 25B, 25C) are supported by the housing 7 and are configured to guide the basket 3 that is transported in the entrance / exit direction from the entrance side to the exit side. The plurality of movable guide rails 25 (25A, 25B, 25C) are configured to move in the vertical direction relative to the housing 7. This movement causes the basket 3 to move in the vertical direction.

[0035] The basket 3 guided by the movable guide rails 25 can only move in the direction of the entrance / exit or in the vertical direction. The multiple movable guide rails 25 (25A, 25B, 25C) are designed to move in sync with each other and simultaneously only in the vertical direction.

[0036] The plurality of moving bodies 27 (27A, 27B, 27C, 27D) are also configured to move in the vertical direction in synchronization with one another. Furthermore, the plurality of moving bodies 27 (27A, 27B, 27C, 27D) are configured to move in the entrance / exit direction in synchronization with one another. By moving in the entrance / exit direction, the plurality of baskets 3 are simultaneously transported in the entrance / exit direction from the entrance side to the exit side.

[0037] The moving body 27 moving in the entrance / exit direction moves only in the entrance / exit direction and does not move in the vertical direction. The moving body 27 moving in the vertical direction moves only in the vertical direction and does not move in the entrance / exit direction. In other words, the moving body 27 is configured not to move in the vertical direction and the entrance / exit direction at the same time.

[0038] Each of the multiple fixed guide rails 23 (23A, 23B, 23C, 23D) is located above the cleaning tank 9 and away from the cleaning tank 9 in the vertical direction. Each of the multiple fixed guide rails 23 (23B, 23C) is located in a multiple inter-cleaning tank locations 29 (29A, 29B) between adjacent cleaning tanks 9 of the multiple cleaning tanks 9 (9A, 9B, 9C) in the entrance / exit direction. Furthermore, the fixed guide rail 23A is located closer to the entrance in the entrance / exit direction than the cleaning tank 9A located closest to the entrance. The fixed guide rail 23D is located closer to the exit in the entrance / exit direction than the cleaning tank 9C located closest to the exit.

[0039] Inter-cleaning tank area 29 will be explained using an example in which three cleaning tanks are provided. The area between the first cleaning tank 9A and the second cleaning tank 9B in the entrance / exit direction is the first inter-cleaning tank area 29A. Also, the area between the second cleaning tank 9B and the third cleaning tank 9C in the entrance / exit direction is the inter-cleaning tank area 29B. When three cleaning tanks 9 are provided, there will be two inter-cleaning tank areas 29.

[0040] Each of the plurality of movable guide rails 25 (25A, 25B, 25C) is located at a corresponding one of the plurality of cleaning tanks 9 (9A, 9B, 9C) in the entrance / exit direction. More specifically, each of the plurality of movable guide rails 25 (25A, 25B, 25C) is located at an inter-fixed guide rail portion 31 (31A, 31B, 31C) in the entrance / exit direction. The inter-fixed guide rail portions 31 (31A, 31B, 31C) are located between adjacent fixed guide rails 23 of the plurality of fixed guide rails 23 (23A, 23B, 23C, 23D), and there are a plurality of such inter-fixed guide rail portions 31.

[0041] 6 and 7, the plurality of movable guide rails 25 are configured to move vertically between a lower position (movable guide rail lower position) P3 and an upper position (movable guide rail upper position) P4. Each of the baskets 3 guided by each of the plurality of movable guide rails 25 (25A, 25B, 25C) is configured to move vertically between a lower position (basket basket lower position) P3' and an upper position (basket basket upper position) P4'.

[0042] At the lower position P3', the basket 3 (for example, the entire basket 3) guided by the movable guide rail 25 is inside the cleaning tank 9 (see Figure 7). At the upper position P4', the basket 3 (for example, the entire basket 3) guided by the movable guide rail 25 is outside the cleaning tank 9 above the cleaning tank 9 (see Figure 6).

[0043] When moving in the entrance / exit direction, the movable body 27 engages with the strainer cage 3 and transports the strainer cage 3 from the entrance side to the exit side. In the vertical direction, the movable body 27 is configured to move the nozzle 15 (e.g., the entire nozzle 15) of the nozzle unit 11 between a lower position (nozzle lower position) P1 and an upper position (nozzle upper position) P2. At the lower position P1, the nozzle 15 (e.g., the entire nozzle 15) is inside the strainer cage 3 inside the cleaning tank 9 (see Figure 8). At the upper position P2, the nozzle 15 (e.g., the entire nozzle 15) is outside the cleaning tank 9 at the top of the cleaning tank 9 (see Figure 7).

[0044] As shown in Figure 1 etc., the fixed guide rails 23 and the movable guide rails 25 are arranged alternately in the entrance / exit direction. Let us assume that all the movable guide rails 25 are located at the upper position P3. At this time, the basket 3 guided by the fixed guide rails 23 and the movable guide rails 25 can move only in the entrance / exit direction without changing its position in the vertical and width directions. In other words, the basket 3 being guided can only move from the entrance side (at the fixed guide rail 23A) to the exit side (at the fixed guide rail 23D).

[0045] Of the plurality of movable bodies 27, the movable bodies 27B, 27C, and 27D, excluding the movable body 27A located closest to the entrance, each serve as a lid portion 21 of the nozzle unit 11. The movable body 27A located closest to the entrance has the same shape as the lid portion 21, but the movable body 27A does not have a nozzle 15 or the like provided thereon.

[0046] The vegetable washing device 1 will now be described in more detail. The basket 3 is made of synthetic resin or a rust-resistant metal material such as stainless steel. As shown in FIG. 9, the basket 3 is formed from a plate-like material with a large number of through-holes 33. The basket 3 is formed in the shape of a truncated cone, with a side wall 35 in the shape of a truncated cone side and a disk-shaped bottom wall 37. The bottom wall 37 closes the smaller opening (lower opening) of the side wall 35. A circular flange 39 is provided on the outside of the larger opening (upper opening) of the side wall 35.

[0047] 2, 5, etc., the fixed guide rail 23A is configured to include a pair of fixed guide rail main bodies 41 and a fixed guide rail support body 43. Each of the pair of fixed guide rail main bodies 41 is supported by the fixed guide rail support body 43 and is provided integrally with the housing 7.

[0048] The fixed guide rail body 41 is formed, for example, in the shape of an elongated rectangular parallelepiped. The longitudinal direction of the fixed guide rail body 41 is the entrance / exit direction. The pair of fixed guide rail bodies 41 are aligned vertically and are spaced apart at a fixed interval in the width direction (a distance slightly larger than the outer diameter of the side wall portion 35 of the basket 3).

[0049] When the cage 3 is guided by the fixed guide rail 23A, one end of the flange 39 of the cage 3 is placed on one fixed guide rail body 41, and the other end of the flange 39 of the cage 3 is placed on the other fixed guide rail body 41.

[0050] Furthermore, when the cage 3 is guided by the fixed guide rail 23A, as shown in Figure 5, the side wall portion 35 and bottom wall portion 37 of the cage 3 are positioned below the fixed guide rail main body 41 and between the pair of fixed guide rail main bodies 41. When the cage 3 moves relative to the fixed guide rail 23A, the flange portion 39 of the cage 3 and the fixed guide rail main body 41 form a sliding pair.

[0051] The fixed guide rails 23B, 23C, and 23D are formed in the same manner as the fixed guide rail 23A, and are adapted to engage with the strainer cage 3 in the same manner as the fixed guide rail 23A.

[0052] As shown in Figures 2, 6 to 8, the movable guide rail 25A is configured to include a pair of movable guide rail main bodies 45 and a movable guide rail support body 47. The movable guide rail main body 45 is formed, for example, in the shape of an elongated rectangular parallelepiped. The longitudinal direction of the movable guide rail main body 45 is the entrance / exit direction. Each of the pair of movable guide rail main bodies 45 is supported by the movable guide rail support body 47 and is configured to move in the vertical direction relative to the housing 7.

[0053] The pair of movable guide rail bodies 45 located at the upper position P4 are aligned with each other in the vertical direction and are located at the same position as the fixed guide rail body 41. The pair of movable guide rail bodies 45 are arranged at a fixed interval in the width direction and are located at the same position as the fixed guide rail body 41.

[0054] When the cage 3 is guided by the movable guide rail 25A, one end of the flange 39 of the cage 3 is placed on one movable guide rail body 45, and the other end of the flange 39 of the cage 3 is placed on the other movable guide rail body 45.

[0055] Furthermore, when the cage 3 is guided by the movable guide rail 25, the side wall portion 35 and bottom wall portion 37 of the cage 3 are positioned below the movable guide rail main body 45 and between the pair of movable guide rail main bodies 45. When the cage 3 moves relative to the movable guide rail 25A, the flange portion 39 of the cage 3 and the movable guide rail main body 45 form a sliding pair.

[0056] The movable guide rails 25B and 25C are formed in the same manner as the movable guide rail 25A, and are adapted to engage with the basket 3 in the same manner as the movable guide rail 25A.

[0057] 11, movable guide rails 25A, 25B, and 25C are connected by one movable guide rail connecting body 49. The movable guide rails 25A, 25B, and 25C are supported by linear guide bearings (not shown) and are configured to move simultaneously in the vertical direction by an actuator such as a motor (not shown).

[0058] As shown in FIG. 1 and other figures, the vegetable washing device 1 is provided with an entrance side conveyor 51, an entrance side moving rail 53, an exit side conveyor 55, and an exit side moving rail 57.

[0059] The entrance conveyor 51 is positioned closer to the entrance than the fixed guide rail 23A in the entrance / exit direction. The entrance conveyor 51 positions the strainer cage 3 at a predetermined position in the vertical direction and transports the strainer cage 3 from the entrance side to the exit side. The predetermined position of the strainer cage 3 in the vertical direction is, for example, the same position as the strainer cage 3 when it is inside the cleaning tank 9.

[0060] 1 is a stopper against which the basket 3 conveyed by the entrance conveyor 51 abuts. The basket 3 conveyed by the entrance conveyor 51 abuts against the stopper 59, thereby positioning the basket 3.

[0061] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the entrance-side moving guide rail 53 is configured to include a pair of entrance-side moving guide rail main bodies 61 and an entrance-side moving guide rail support body 63. The entrance-side moving guide rail main body 61 is formed, for example, in the shape of an elongated rectangular parallelepiped. The longitudinal direction of the entrance-side moving guide rail main body 61 is the entrance / exit direction. Each of the pair of entrance-side moving guide rail main bodies 61 is supported by the entrance-side moving guide rail support body 63 and is configured to move in the vertical direction relative to the housing 7.

[0062] The pair of entrance-side moving guide rail bodies 61 located at the upper position (entrance-side moving rail upper position) P8 are aligned in the vertical direction and are located at the same position as the fixed guide rail body 41. The pair of entrance-side moving guide rail bodies 61 are arranged at a fixed interval in the width direction and are located at the same position as the fixed guide rail body 41.

[0063] When the cage 3 is guided by the entrance-side moving rail 53, one end of the flange 39 of the cage 3 is placed on one entrance-side moving guide rail body 61. The other end of the flange 39 of the cage 3 is placed on the other entrance-side moving guide rail body 61.

[0064] Furthermore, the pair of entrance side moving guide rail bodies 61 located at the lower position (lower position of the entrance side moving rail) P7 are located at the same position as the moving guide rail 25 located at the lower position (lower position of the moving guide rail) P3.

[0065] The basket 3 transported by the entrance conveyor 51 is located, for example, at a lower position P3' in the vertical direction. The basket 3 located at the lower position P3' moves from the lower position P7 where the entrance moving rail 53 is lowered to the upper position P8 where the entrance moving rail 53 has finished rising, thereby moving from the lower position P3' to the upper position P4'.

[0066] Furthermore, when the cage 3 is guided by the entrance-side moving rail 53, the side wall portion 35 and bottom wall portion 37 of the cage 3 are positioned below the moving guide rail main body 45 and between the pair of moving guide rail main bodies 45. When the cage 3 positioned at the upper position P4' moves relative to the entrance-side moving rail 53, the flange portion 39 of the cage 3 and the entrance-side moving guide rail main body 61 form a sliding pair. When the cage 3 positioned at the upper position P4' moves further toward the exit relative to the entrance-side moving rail 53, the cage 3 is placed on the fixed guide rail 23A.

[0067] The entrance-side moving rail 53 is supported by a linear guide bearing (not shown) and is moved up and down by an actuator such as a pneumatic cylinder (not shown).

[0068] The exit-side conveyor 55 is disposed closer to the exit than the fixed guide rail 23D in the entrance / exit direction. The exit-side conveyor 55 places the basket 3 on it and transports it from the entrance side to the exit side. The vertical position of the basket 3 transported by the exit-side conveyor 55 is the same as the position of the basket 3 transported by the entrance-side conveyor 51.

[0069] The exit-side moving rail 57 is configured in the same manner as the entrance-side moving rail 53. More specifically, when the exit-side moving rail 57 is positioned at the upper end (upper position), the basket 3 that has been guided and transported by the fixed guide rail 23D is guided by the exit-side moving rail 57 while remaining at the upper position P4'. Thereafter, the exit-side moving rail 57 moves to the lower end (lower position), whereby the basket 3 is placed on the exit-side conveyor 55.

[0070] The lid portion 21 of the nozzle unit 11 is formed in a disk shape. The thickness direction of the lid portion 21 is the vertical direction. The nozzles 15 are formed in a cylindrical shape with a pointed conical lower end. When viewed in the vertical direction, as shown in Figure 2, the nozzles 15 are arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction of the lid portion 21.

[0071] As shown in Figure 10, the multiple moving bodies 27 (27A, 27B, 27C, 27D) are aligned vertically. The multiple moving bodies 27A, 27B, 27C, 27D are also aligned in this order from the entrance to the exit at regular intervals. The regular intervals are equal to the intervals (regular intervals) between the multiple cleaning tanks 9 (9A, 9B, 9C) in the entrance / exit direction.

[0072] Furthermore, the multiple movable bodies 27 (27A, 27B, 27C, 27D) are supported by a movable body support 65 and connected by a movable body connecting body 67. The movable body connecting body 67 is supported by a linear guide bearing (not shown) and is configured to move in the vertical direction by an actuator such as a motor (not shown). That is, the multiple movable bodies 27 (27A, 27B, 27C, 27D) are configured to simultaneously move between a lower position P1 and an upper position P2. Furthermore, the movable body connecting body 67 is supported by a linear guide bearing (not shown) and is configured to move in the entrance / exit direction by an actuator such as a motor (not shown). That is, the multiple movable bodies 27 (27A, 27B, 27C, 27D) are configured to move between an entrance-side position P5 and an exit-side position P6 while remaining positioned at the upper position P2 in the vertical direction.

[0073] The movable body 27 (27A, 27B, 27C, 27D) is positioned at the upper position P2 in the vertical direction and at the entrance side position P5 in the entrance / exit direction. In this state (P2-P5 position state), when the entrance side moving rail 53 on which the cage 3 is placed moves from the lower end to the upper end, the movable body 27A enters the cage 3 (see Figures 2 and 10). When the movable body 27A enters the cage 3, the outer periphery of the movable body 27A contacts the inner surface of the side wall portion 35 of the cage 3. However, the movable body 27A is not fitted into the cage 3.

[0074] When the movable guide rail 25A carrying the cage 3 moves from the lower position P3 to the upper position P4 in the P2-P5 position state, the movable body 27B (lid portion 21) enters the cage 3 (see Figure 6). When the movable body 27B enters the cage 3, the outer periphery of the movable body 27B contacts the inner surface of the side wall portion 35 of the cage 3. However, the movable body 27B is not fitted into the cage 3.

[0075] Similarly, when the movable guide rail 25B carrying the basket 3 moves from the lower position P3 to the upper position P4 in the P2-P5 position state, the movable body 27C (lid portion 21) enters the basket 3. Also, when the movable guide rail 25C carrying the basket 3 moves from the lower position P3 to the upper position P4, the movable body 27D (lid portion 21) enters the basket 3.

[0076] It is assumed that the moving body 27 is located at the upper position P2 in the vertical direction and at the entrance position P5 in the entrance / exit direction, and that each of the moving bodies 27A, 27B, 27C, and 27D is in a basket 3. In this state, the moving body 27 moves rearward in the entrance / exit direction from the entrance position P5 to the exit position P6 while remaining at the upper position P2 in the vertical direction, so that the multiple baskets 3 are simultaneously transported from the entrance side to the exit side.

[0077] The distance (stroke) traveled by the movable body 27 when it moves from the entrance side position P5 to the exit side position P6 is equal to the installation spacing of the multiple cleaning tanks 9 in the entrance / exit direction (for example, the distance between the center of cleaning tank 9A and the center of cleaning tank 9B).

[0078] Here, let us assume that the entrance-side moving rail 53 is located at the upper position P8, the moving guide rail 25 is located at the upper position P4, the exit-side moving rail 57 is also located at the upper position, and Zarugago 3 is placed on the entrance-side moving rail 53. In this state, Zarugago 3 is placed on and guided by the entrance-side moving rail 53, fixed guide rail 23, moving guide rail 25, and exit-side moving rail 57, and moves only in the entrance / exit direction, from the entrance side to the exit side.

[0079] Here, an example of the circuit for the washing liquid 13 in the vegetable washing device 1 will be described with reference to Figure 20. The washing liquid 13 is supplied to the washing tank 9 of the vegetable washing device 1 through main pipes 69 and 71 and branch pipes 73, 75, 77, and 79. Sterilizing water (e.g., an aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite) flows through the main pipe 69. City water (tap water) flows through the main pipe 71.

[0080] The branch pipe 73 connects the main pipe 69 to the nozzle 15 of the nozzle unit 11. The branch pipe 75 connects the main pipe 71 to a portion of the branch pipe 73. A valve 81 is provided on the branch pipe 73 between the portion where the main pipe 69 connects to the branch pipe 75. A valve 83 is provided on the branch pipe 75. A solenoid valve 85 that opens and closes the flow path for the cleaning liquid 13 is provided on the branch pipe 73 between the portion where the branch pipe 75 connects and the nozzle 15.

[0081] Branch pipe 77 connects main pipe 69 to the upper end of the inside of cleaning tank 9. Branch pipe 79 connects main pipe 71 to a portion midway along branch pipe 77. A valve 87 is provided on branch pipe 77 between the portion where main pipe 69 and branch pipe 79 are connected. A valve 89 is provided midway along branch pipe 75. A solenoid valve 91 that opens and closes the flow path for cleaning liquid 13 is provided on branch pipe 77 between the portion where branch pipe 79 is connected and cleaning tank 9.

[0082] By appropriately adjusting the opening of valves 81, 83, 87, and 89, cleaning liquid 13 with varying concentrations of sterilizing water can be supplied into the cleaning tank 9. By opening solenoid valve 85, cleaning liquid 13 is supplied from nozzle 15 into the cleaning tank 9. By closing solenoid valve 85, the supply of cleaning liquid 13 from nozzle 15 into the cleaning tank 9 is stopped.

[0083] Furthermore, by opening the solenoid valve 91, the cleaning liquid 13 is supplied directly into the cleaning tank 9. Furthermore, by closing the solenoid valve 85, the supply of the cleaning liquid 13 into the cleaning tank 9 is stopped.

[0084] In addition, cleaning liquid 13 for roughly washing the vegetables 5 is supplied into the washing tank 9A, cleaning liquid 13 for sterilizing the vegetables 5 is supplied into the washing tank 9B, and cleaning liquid 13 for rinsing the vegetables 5 is supplied into the washing tank 9C.

[0085] Next, the discharge of cleaning liquid 13 from cleaning tank 9 will be described. Cleaning liquid 13 is discharged via main pipe 93 and branch pipes 95 and 97. Cleaning liquid 13 coming out of cleaning tank 9 flows through main pipe 93. Branch pipe 95 connects the lower end of cleaning tank 9 to main pipe 93. Branch pipe 97 connects the upper end of cleaning tank 9 to a portion midway along branch pipe 95. A valve 99 is provided in branch pipe 95 between the portion where cleaning tank 9 is connected to branch pipe 97. The valve 99 opens and closes the flow path of branch pipe 95.

[0086] By leaving the valve 99 open, all of the cleaning liquid 13 in the cleaning tank 9 can be drained, but the valve 99 is normally closed. In addition, a branch pipe 97 prevents the cleaning liquid 13 in the cleaning tank 9 from overflowing from the opening at the top of the cleaning tank 9.

[0087] Next, the operation of the vegetable washing device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 12 to 19. The vegetable washing device 1 operates under the control of a control device 101 (see Figure 1) that is configured to include a CPU and a memory.

[0088] In the initial state, as shown in Figure 12, the nozzle unit 11 (moving body 27) is located at the upper position P2 in the vertical direction and at the entrance position P5 in the entrance / exit direction. In the initial state, the entrance side moving rail 53 is located at the lower position P7, and the exit side moving rail 57 is located at the upper position. In the initial state, the cleaning tank 9 is filled with cleaning liquid 13, and the solenoid valves 85 and 91 are closed. Also, in the initial state, the cleaning tank 9 is filled with cleaning liquid 13. Also, in the initial state, a basket 3A is placed on the entrance side conveyor 51.

[0089] In the above initial state, when the entrance-side moving rail 53 rises and reaches the upper position P8, the state becomes as shown in Figure 13. As a result, the moving body 27A enters the inside of the cage 3A.

[0090] Next, when the movable body 27 (nozzle unit 11) does not move up and down but moves in the entrance / exit direction from the entrance side toward the exit side to the exit side position P6, the state shown in Figure 14 is reached. As the movable body 27 moves, the strainer cage 3A is guided by the entrance side movable rail 53, fixed guide rail 23A, and movable guide rail 25A and is transported from the entrance side movable rail 53 to a position directly above the cleaning tank 9A. In the state shown in Figure 14, the entrance side movable rail 53 is located at the lower position P7.

[0091] Next, when the moving guide rail 25 and the basket 3A are lowered to the lower positions P3 and P3', the state shown in FIG. 15 is reached.

[0092] Next, from the state shown in Figure 15, the movable body 27 (nozzle unit 11) moves in the entrance / exit direction from the exit side to the entrance side to an entrance-side position P5 without moving up and down. After this, the movable body 27 (nozzle unit 11) moves down in the entrance / exit direction without moving in the entrance / exit direction to a lower position P1, opens the solenoid valve 85, and discharges the cleaning liquid 13 from the nozzle 15 to wash the vegetables 5. The state in which the cleaning liquid 13 is being discharged is shown in Figure 16.

[0093] Next, in the state shown in Fig. 16, when the discharge of the cleaning liquid 13 from the nozzle 15 is stopped and the movable body 27 (nozzle unit 11) is not moved in the entrance / exit direction but is moved up and down to the upper position P2, the state shown in Fig. 17 is reached. In the state shown in Fig. 17, the next basket 3B is placed on the entrance conveyor 51.

[0094] 17, the entrance-side moving rail 53 is moved upward to the upper position P8, and the moving guide rail 25 is moved upward to position the basket 3 at the upper position P4', resulting in the state shown in FIG.

[0095] By repeating this operation, the state shown in Figure 19 is reached. In the state shown in Figure 19, the movable body 27 (nozzle unit 11) is located at the upper position P2 and the entrance position P5, and the movable guide rail 25 is located at the lower position P3. Also, in the state shown in Figure 19, the entrance side movable rail 53 is located at the lower position P7, and the exit side movable rail 57 is also located at the lower position. Also, in the state shown in Figure 19, a basket 3E is placed on the entrance side conveyor 51, a basket 3D is in the cleaning tank 9A, and a basket 3C is in the cleaning tank 9B. Also, in the state shown in Figure 19, a basket 3B is in the cleaning tank 9C, and a basket 3A is placed on the exit side conveyor 55.

[0096] Furthermore, by repeating the above operation, the baskets 3 are supplied one by one to the entrance conveyor 51 and come out to the exit conveyor 55. This allows the vegetables 5 contained in the baskets 3 to be washed one by one.

[0097] Incidentally, the nozzle unit 11 may be inserted into the strainer cage 3 in the cleaning tank 9 and rotated while the cleaning liquid 13 is being discharged. That is, as shown by arrow A1 in Figure 8, the nozzle unit 11 may be rotated around the central axis C1 of the nozzle unit 11. The rotation of the nozzle unit 11 may be continuous or intermittent in one direction, or the rotation direction may be switched alternately.

[0098] The vegetable washing device 1 is configured with a washing tank 9 containing washing liquid 13 and a basket 3 containing vegetables 5, and a nozzle unit 11 equipped with a nozzle 15 that enters the basket 3 in the washing tank 9 and discharges the washing liquid 13 into the basket 3. This allows the water flow of washing liquid 13 to be sufficiently directed onto the vegetables 5 regardless of the shape of the mesh of the basket 3 (the shape of the through holes 33 through which the washing liquid 13 passes), eliminating poor washing of the vegetables 5. Furthermore, the vegetables 5 can be washed efficiently.

[0099] The vegetable washing device 1 is also provided with a plurality of washing tanks 9 and nozzle units 11, and is configured so that each of the plurality of strainer baskets 3 can fit inside each of the plurality of washing tanks 9. The vegetable washing device 1 is also configured so that each of the plurality of nozzle units 11 fits inside each of the strainer baskets 3 inside each of the plurality of washing tanks 9, and discharges washing liquid 13 inside the strainer basket 3. The vegetable washing device 1 is also provided with a strainer basket conveying unit 19 that conveys each of the plurality of strainer baskets 3. The plurality of strainer baskets 3 are configured to enter each of the plurality of washing tanks 9 in turn by the strainer basket conveying unit 19. This allows the vegetables 5 contained in the plurality of strainer baskets 3 to be washed one after another more efficiently.

[0100] Furthermore, in the vegetable washing device 1, the strainer basket conveying unit 19 is configured to move the nozzle unit 11. Furthermore, in the vegetable washing device 1, the strainer basket conveying unit 19 is configured to move the nozzle unit 11 between a lower position P1 and an upper position P2. This allows the nozzle unit 11 to be moved while simplifying the configuration.

[0101] Furthermore, in the vegetable washing device 1, the nozzle unit 11 is configured to include a lid portion 21 and a nozzle 15. Furthermore, in the vegetable washing device 1, when the nozzle unit 11 enters a strainer basket 3 inside a washing tank 9 containing washing liquid 13 and discharges washing liquid 13 from the nozzle 15 inside the strainer basket 3, the lid portion 21 closes the opening of the strainer basket 3. This allows the vegetables 5 to be washed while preventing them from floating up during washing.

[0102] The vegetable washing device 1 is also configured to include fixed guide rails 23, movable guide rails 25, and a movable body 27. In the vegetable washing device 1, each of the multiple fixed guide rails 23 is located above and away from the washing tank 9 in the vertical direction, and is located at a position 29 between the multiple washing tanks in the entrance / exit direction. In the vegetable washing device 1, each of the multiple movable guide rails 25 is located at a position corresponding to each of the multiple washing tanks 9 in the entrance / exit direction. Each of the multiple movable guide rails 25 is configured to move between a lower position P3 and an upper position P4 in the vertical direction.

[0103] In addition, in the vegetable washing device 1, when the moving body 27 moves in the entrance / exit direction, it engages with the strainer basket 3 and transports the strainer basket 3. In addition, the moving body 27 moves in the vertical direction between a lower position P1 and an upper position P2.

[0104] This allows the basket 3 and the nozzle unit 11 to be moved with a simple configuration, and the vegetables 5 in the basket 3 to be washed efficiently.

[0105] The above content may also be understood as a vegetable washing method, which includes a basket immersion step of placing a basket containing vegetables together with the vegetables in a washing tank containing washing liquid, and a washing liquid discharge step of inserting a nozzle into the basket and discharging washing liquid from the nozzle while the basket containing the vegetables is in the washing tank containing washing liquid in the basket immersion step.

[0106] In addition, in the above-mentioned vegetable washing method, a plurality of washing tanks are provided, the basket immersion process is a process in which each of the plurality of baskets enters each of the plurality of washing tanks, the washing liquid ejection process is a process in which the nozzle is inserted into the basket inside each of the plurality of washing tanks and the washing liquid is ejected inside the basket, and a basket transport process is provided in which each of the plurality of baskets is transported, and in the basket transport process, the plurality of baskets are transported so that they enter each of the plurality of washing tanks in turn.

[0107] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 1 Vegetable washing device 3 Zarukago 5. Vegetables 9 Cleaning tank 11 Nozzle unit 13 Cleaning solution 15 nozzles 19 Zarukago Transport Unit 21 Lid 23 Fixed guide rail 25 Moving guide rail 27 Mobile 29 Between cleaning tanks P1 Lower position (lower position of nozzle unit) P2 Upper position (upper position of nozzle unit) P3 Lower position (lower position of moving guide rail) P4 Upper position (upper position of moving guide rail)

Claims

1. A washing tank containing washing liquid and a basket containing vegetables; a nozzle unit provided with a nozzle that is inserted into a basket inserted into the cleaning tank and that discharges cleaning liquid into the basket; A vegetable washing device having

2. A plurality of the cleaning tanks are provided, A plurality of the nozzle units are provided, Each of the plurality of baskets is configured to fit into each of the plurality of cleaning tanks, Each of the plurality of nozzle units is configured to be inserted into the corresponding one of the plurality of cleaning tanks and to discharge cleaning liquid within the corresponding one of the cleaning tanks, a cage transport unit for transporting each of the plurality of cages; The vegetable washing device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of baskets are configured to be sequentially introduced into each of the plurality of washing tanks by the basket transport unit.

3. The sieve carrier is configured to move the nozzle unit, The vegetable washing device of claim 2, wherein the basket transport unit is configured to move the nozzle unit between a lower position inside the basket that has entered the washing tank and an upper position outside the basket that has entered the washing tank at the top of the washing tank.

4. the nozzle unit is configured to include a lid portion and the nozzle, the nozzle protruding from the lid portion, A vegetable washing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the nozzle unit is configured so that when it enters a strainer cage placed inside the washing tank containing washing liquid and the washing liquid is ejected from the nozzle inside the strainer cage, the lid portion closes the opening of the strainer cage.

5. The cage transport unit is configured to include a plurality of fixed guide rails that guide the cage being transported, a plurality of movable guide rails that guide the cage being transported and move the cage in a vertical direction, and a plurality of movable bodies that move the cage in a vertical direction and a horizontal predetermined direction, that is, an entrance / exit direction; each of the plurality of fixed guide rails is positioned above the cleaning tank and away from the cleaning tank in the vertical direction, and is positioned at a plurality of inter-cleaning tank locations between adjacent cleaning tanks among the plurality of cleaning tanks in the entrance / exit direction; Each of the plurality of movable guide rails is located at a position corresponding to each of the plurality of cleaning tanks in the entrance / exit direction, and moves in the vertical direction between a lower position where the basket guided by the movable guide rail enters the cleaning tank and an upper position where the basket guided by the movable guide rail is located above the cleaning tank and outside the cleaning tank, The vegetable washing device described in claim 2 or claim 3 is configured so that when the movable body moves in the entrance / exit direction, it engages with the strainer basket and transports the strainer basket, and in the vertical direction, the nozzle of the nozzle unit moves between a lower position in which the nozzle is inside the strainer basket inside the washing tank and an upper position in which the nozzle is outside the washing tank at the top of the washing tank.

6. The process of soaking the baskets containing the vegetables is to place them in a washing tank containing a cleaning solution. a cleaning liquid discharge step of inserting a nozzle into the basket and discharging cleaning liquid from the nozzle while the basket containing the vegetables in the basket immersion step is placed in a cleaning tank containing cleaning liquid; A vegetable washing method comprising the steps of:

7. A plurality of the cleaning tanks are provided, The immersion step of the basket is a step in which each of the baskets is placed in each of the cleaning tanks, the cleaning liquid discharging step is a step of inserting the nozzle into the strainer cage disposed inside each of the plurality of cleaning tanks and discharging the cleaning liquid into the strainer cage; a cage transport step for transporting each of the plurality of cages, 7. The vegetable washing method according to claim 6, wherein the basket transport step transports the plurality of baskets so that they enter the plurality of washing tanks in turn.

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