Apparatus for separating juvenile shellfish by vibration and method for separating juvenile shellfish by vibration

Abstract

This invention provides a vibrating scallop separation device that effectively separates scallop spat that have adhered to the inside of the spat collector, while also preventing clogging of the outer bag. [Solution] The juvenile scallop vibration separation device comprises a retraction unit, a plurality of vibrating rotors, and a vibrating rotor drive unit. The retraction unit retracts the spat collector into the juvenile scallop vibration separation device. The plurality of vibrating rotors are arranged alternately above and below the travel path of the spat collector within the juvenile scallop vibration separation device, and separate the juvenile scallops from the spat collector by contacting the spat collector and vibrating it up and down. The vibrating rotor drive unit rotates the plurality of vibrating rotors so as to send the spat collector out in the direction of travel of the spat collector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a juvenile scallop vibration separation device for separating juvenile scallops from a seedling collector to which juvenile scallops are attached.

Background Art

[0002] In the aquaculture fishery of scallops, operations such as seeding, intermediate rearing, and main cultivation are carried out before shipment. Seeding is the operation of collecting juvenile scallops, and a seedling collector for seeding is suspended in the sea at an aquaculture facility in May or June. Juvenile scallops that have grown from floating larvae attached to the seedling collector to a size of several millimeters are separated from the seedling collector and collected in July or August.

[0003] The seedling collector varies depending on the region. For example, in the aquaculture fishery of scallops in some areas of Hokkaido, a structure formed by stacking nets with different mesh sizes (netron nets) is used. Usually, as shown in FIG. 1, the seedling collector N is created by connecting a plurality of vertically long bags (inner bags) IN with a large mesh size to a single long rope L, pushing the entire plurality of inner bags into a bag (outer bag) ON that is shorter than the inner bag and has a smaller mesh size, and tying both ends of the outer bag ON to the rope with wire or rubber bands. Although the dimensions of the seedling collector N vary depending on the region where it is used, when it is spread out flat, for example, a seedling collector with a horizontal (short side) length of about 300 mm and a vertical (long side) length of about 1,000 mm is common.

[0004] Conventionally, for the operation of separating juvenile scallops from the seedling collector N, methods such as an operator holding the seedling collector N by hand and shaking it, a device that drops the seedling collector N through a pair of rotating knocking rods, or a device that suspends the seedling collector N on a swinging hook and applies vibration to drop the juvenile scallops have been used.

[0005] <0, As a device for automatically separating scallop spat from a spat collector using mechanical force, the device described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. The device described in Patent Document 1 separates scallop spat from the spat collector by rotating three rotors positioned above and below the spat collector, which moves in a generally horizontal direction, thereby vibrating the spat collector. Each of the three rotors has three free-spinning rollers positioned equidistant from the rotor axis, which is the central axis of rotation. The three rotors rotate in a direction that applies tension to the spat collector as it is drawn into the retraction section, that is, in the opposite direction to the direction of travel of the spat collector. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-141580 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, the operation is performed with one end of the outer bag of the spat collector (the end facing forward in the direction of travel) open, and the lower end of the inner bag also open. As the spat collector passes between three rotors positioned vertically, the three rotors rotate in a direction that applies tension to the spat collector, causing it to be pulled backward with the rope-bound part at the front, resulting in a thin, elongated state. Therefore, while scallop spat attached to the outside of the spat collector are separated from it, scallop spat attached to the inside of the thin, elongated spat collector are not discharged from the spat collector, resulting in a decrease in the shellfish recovery rate.

[0008] Furthermore, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, the rotation of the three rotors causes the outer bag to be pushed backward and form a mass, which can cause jamming in the rotors and the drawer.

[0009] To solve the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a scallop spat separation device that effectively separates scallop spat that adhere to the inside of the spat collector and prevents clogging of the outer bag. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a scallop spat separation device that separates scallop spat from a spat collector to which spat are attached. The scallop spat separation device comprises a retraction unit, a plurality of vibrating rotors, and a vibrating rotor drive unit. The retraction unit retracts the spat collector into the scallop spat separation device. The plurality of vibrating rotors are arranged alternately above and below the travel path of the spat collector within the scallop spat separation device, and separate the scallop spat from the spat collector by contacting the spat collector and vibrating it up and down. The vibrating rotor drive unit rotates the plurality of vibrating rotors so as to send the spat collector out in the direction of travel of the spat collector.

[0011] In one embodiment, the vibrating rotor preferably has a plurality of free-spinning rollers around the rotor axis that rotate freely in contact with the seedling collector. It is preferable that the distance of each of the free-spinning rollers from the rotor axis is variable.

[0012] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a vibratory separation method for separating scallop spat from a spat collector to which spat spat are attached. The vibratory separation method includes a separation step of separating scallop spat from a spat collector by bringing a plurality of vibrating rotors, which are alternately arranged above and below the travel path of the spat collector, into contact with the spat collector and vibrating them up and down. The separation step includes rotating the plurality of vibrating rotors so as to feed the spat collector in the direction of travel of the spat collector.

[0013] In one embodiment, it is preferable that the multiple vibrating rotors have multiple free-spinning rollers around the rotor shaft that rotate freely in contact with the seedling collector. The method for vibrating and separating juvenile shellfish is preferably further to include a step of changing the distance between each of the multiple free-spinning rollers and the rotor shaft. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] In this invention, by applying vibration to the spat collector while it is loose, conditions are created that make it easier to separate the scallop spat, thereby increasing the recovery rate of the scallop spat. Furthermore, by making the vibrations that the rotor applies to the spat collector irregular and of varying intensity, the recovery rate can be further increased. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a spat collector used in scallop farming. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the structure of a juvenile shellfish vibration separation device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] The image shows the vibrating rotor of a juvenile shellfish vibration separation device according to one embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a perspective view of the vibrating rotor and (b) is a side view of the vibrating rotor. [Figure 4] This is a schematic side view illustrating the operation of a juvenile shellfish vibration separation device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the spat collector in a juvenile shellfish vibration separation device. (a-1) shows the state of the inner bag in a conventional juvenile shellfish vibration separation device, (a-2) shows the state of the outer bag, (b-1) shows the state of the inner bag in a juvenile shellfish vibration separation device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (b-2) shows the state of the outer bag. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, one embodiment of the juvenile shellfish vibration separation device according to the present invention will be described in detail.

[0017] [Device Overview] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of a juvenile scallop vibration separation device 1 (hereinafter referred to as device 1) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The device 1 is for separating and recovering the juvenile scallops S from the seeding device N in the cultivation of scallops. The device 1 includes a drawing-in part 10 for drawing the seeding device N into the interior of the device, a feeding-out part 20 for feeding the seeding device N into the interior of the device 1, a vibration separation part 30 for separating the juvenile scallops S attached to the seeding device N by applying vibration to the seeding device N, and a juvenile scallop recovery part 60 for recovering the juvenile scallops S that have separated from the seeding device N and fallen. The seeding device N is passed from the feeding-out part 20 through the vibration separation part 30 to the drawing-in part 10, and while being drawn into the interior of the device 1 by the drawing-in part 10, vibration is applied to it by the vibration separation part 30. Due to this vibration, the juvenile scallops S are separated from the seeding device N.

[0018] [Drawing-in part]

[0019] The drawing-in part 10 is for drawing the seeding device N into the interior of the device 1. The drawing-in part 10 is configured to be able to draw the seeding device N into the interior of the device 1 by sandwiching it with the drawing-in rollers 11 in order from the tip side. The drawing-in rollers 11 include an upper drawing-in roller 11a rotatably supported above the traveling path of the seeding device N, and two lower drawing-in rollers 11b, 11c rotatably supported below the traveling path. The upper drawing-in roller 11a and the lower drawing-in rollers 11b, 11c are arranged alternately up and down along the traveling direction of the seeding device N. The upper drawing-in roller 11a and the lower drawing-in rollers 11b, 11c rotate so as to draw the seeding device N into the interior of the device 1 by a drawing-in roller drive part 50 having a motor 51 and a belt 52. It is preferable that the outer peripheral surfaces of the upper drawing-in roller 11a and the lower drawing-in rollers 11b, 11c are wound with anti-slip rubber, and it is more preferable that the rubber has a plurality of grooves formed along the axis.

[0020] [Feeding-out part] The delivery unit 20 is configured to send out the seedling collector N drawn into the interior of the apparatus 1 by the drawing-in unit 10. The delivery unit 20 has a freely rotatable delivery roller 21 having a horizontal rotation axis so that the seedling collector N can be smoothly sent out. The delivery unit 20 may be configured to arrange two freely rotatable vertical delivery rollers (not shown) having a vertical rotation axis at a predetermined interval so that the seedling collector N can be sent out more smoothly. The seedling collector N is drawn into the interior of the apparatus 1 through between the two vertical delivery rollers.

[0021] [Vibration separation unit]

[0022] The vibration separation unit 30 functions to separate the scallop larvae S adhering to the seedling collector N from the seedling collector N by contacting the seedling collector N and giving it vertical vibrations. The vibration separation unit 30 is provided between the delivery unit 20 and the drawing-in unit 10, and has a plurality of vibration rotors 31 alternately arranged above and below along the traveling path of the seedling collector N inside the apparatus 1.

[0023] The vibration rotor 31 is pivotally supported above the traveling path of the seedling collector N, and has one upper vibration rotor 31a that contacts the seedling collector N so as to push the seedling collector N downward from above, and two lower vibration rotors 31b, 31c that are pivotally supported below the traveling path of the seedling collector N and contact the seedling collector N so as to push the seedling collector N upward from below. As shown in FIG. 3 to be described later, the one upper vibration rotor 31a and the two lower vibration rotors 31b, 31c are arranged such that the lower edge portion of the upper vibration rotor 31a is positioned below the upper edge portions of the lower vibration rotors 31b, 31c, and the seedling collector N traveling between them meanders vertically, so it is easy to give vibrations to the scallop larvae S. The one upper vibration rotor 31a and the two lower vibration rotors 31b, 31c are provided with pulleys 43 at one end, and are rotated by a vibration rotor drive unit 40 composed of a motor 41, a belt 42, and the pulley 43.

[0024] One upper vibrating rotor 31a and two lower vibrating rotors 31b and 31c are arranged alternately above and below the direction of travel of the spat collector N and are configured to rotate in the same direction as the direction of travel of the spat collector N. That is, the one upper vibrating rotor 31a and the two lower vibrating rotors 31b and 31c rotate in such a way that they push the spat collector N, which is traveling between them, in the direction of travel. As a result, the spat collector N expands (or loosens) as it passes the vibrating rotors 31, making it easier for the spat larvae S to separate from the spat collector N. Furthermore, because the vibrating rotors 31 rotate in such a way that they push the spat collector N in the direction of travel, the load on the pull-in roller 11 of the pull-in section 10 is greatly reduced, making it easy to increase the number of vibrating rotors 31, and by increasing the number, the separation performance of the spat larvae S can also be improved.

[0025] Figure 3 shows the vibrating rotor 31, where Figure 3(a) is an overall perspective view of the vibrating rotor 31 and Figure 3(b) is a side view of the vibrating rotor 31. The vibrating rotor 31 has a rotor shaft 32 and side plates 33 attached to both ends of the rotor shaft 32. Three free-spinning rollers 34 are mounted around the rotor shaft 32 between the side plates 33. The free-spinning rollers 34 are capable of free-spinning when in contact with the seedling collector N.

[0026] The three free-spinning rollers 34 can be mounted in different positions on the side plate 33, as shown in Figure 3(b). The side plate 33 has three positioning holes 33a, 33b, and 33c at three equally spaced locations in the circumferential direction of the side plate 33. The three positioning holes 33a, 33b, and 33c are aligned in a straight line from the center of the side plate 33 in the circumferential direction. The three free-spinning rollers 34 can be fixed to any of the three corresponding positioning holes 33a, 33b, and 33c. For example, as shown in Figure 3(b), the free-spinning roller 34 at position A can be fixed to positioning hole 33a, the free-spinning roller 34 at position B can be fixed to positioning hole 33b, and the free-spinning roller 34 at position C can be fixed to positioning hole 33c. The free-spinning roller 34 fixed in the positioning hole 33a is closest to the rotor shaft 32, while the free-spinning roller 34 fixed in the positioning hole 33c is furthest from the rotor shaft 32.

[0027] In this way, by arbitrarily varying the distance of the three free-spinning rollers 34 from the rotor shaft 32, the upper vibrating rotor 31a and the lower vibrating rotors 31b and 31c constantly make irregular contact with the seedling collector N, generating vibrations of varying strengths for the seedling collector N. In contrast, in the conventional technology, the distances of the multiple free-spinning rollers from the rotor shaft are all equal, and the vibrations transmitted from the vibrating rotor to the seedling collector are monotonous and repetitive. The irregular and varying vibrations generated by the vibrating rotor 31 according to the present invention exhibit an extremely large effect in separating juvenile shellfish compared to the monotonous vibrations of the conventional technology.

[0028] The configuration of the vibration separation unit 30 is not limited to the configuration described above, and may be modified as appropriate as long as the effects of the present invention are achieved. For example, in this embodiment, three vibrating rotors 31 are used, but by significantly reducing the load on the retraction roller 11 of the retraction unit 10, four or more may be used depending on the size of the device 1, the processing volume, the separation performance, etc. Also, in this embodiment, three free-spinning rollers 34 are used for each vibrating rotor 31, but this is not limited to this, and two or four or more may be used. Furthermore, the positioning holes for fixing each of the three free-spinning rollers 34 are not limited, and for example, one free-spinning roller 34 may be fixed to the positioning hole 33a, and two free-spinning rollers 34 may be fixed to the positioning holes 33c. Furthermore, anti-entanglement rollers may be provided around the upper vibrating rotor 31a and the lower vibrating rotors 31b and 31c to prevent the inner bag of the seedling collector N from getting caught.

[0029] [Wasteland scallop collection department] It is preferable that a juvenile scallop collection section 60 is provided below the vibration separation section 30. The juvenile scallop collection section 60 collects the juvenile scallops S that have been separated from the spat collector N and fallen. The juvenile scallop collection section 60 is not limited to, but is preferably composed of a chute with a low wall that slopes downward from the front-to-back direction toward the center.

[0030] [Watering pipe] It is preferable to position the watering pipe 70 above the vibration separation unit 30. By discharging water from the watering pipe 70 toward the vibration separation unit 30, the spat collector N can be washed with water, and the scallop spat S can be easily separated from the spat collector N.

[0031] [Method for collecting juvenile shellfish] Next, we will explain the method for recovering scallop spat S from the spat collector N using device 1, with reference to Figure 4. First, the end of the rope L, to which multiple inner bags IN of the seedling collector N are connected, is set into the retraction section 10 via the delivery section 20 and the vibration separation section 30. At this time, the outer bag ON of the seedling collector N is turned inside out in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 5(b-1) to the state shown in Figures 4 and 5(b-2).

[0032] Next, by rotating the upper retraction roller 11a and the lower retraction rollers 11b and 11c respectively, the end of the rope L is gripped by the upper retraction roller 11a and the lower retraction rollers 11b and 11c, and the seedling collector N moves in the direction of the arrow in Figure 4 (leftward) and is drawn into the interior of the device 1. Since the delivery section 20 of the device 1 is provided with a delivery roller 21, the seedling collector N is smoothly delivered into the interior of the device 1.

[0033] In the vibration separation section 30, the upper vibrating rotor 31a and the lower vibrating rotors 31b and 31c each rotate, and the seedling collector N travels between these rotating rotors. The upper vibrating rotor 31a and the lower vibrating rotors 31b and 31c rotate in the same direction as the direction in which the seedling collector N travels (in the direction of the arrow in Figure 4) to push the seedling collector N outwards. Each of the vibrating rotors 31 has three free-spinning rollers 34, and these free-spinning rollers 34 rotate while in contact with the seedling collector N. The three free-spinning rollers 34 of each vibrating rotor 31 are fixed in advance in positioning holes 33a to 33c of the side plate 33 so that they are at different distances from the rotor shaft 32.

[0034] The upper vibrating rotor 31a operates by rotating and bringing the free-spinning roller 34 into contact with the inner bag IN of the spat collector N, thereby pushing the inner bag IN from above downwards, while the lower vibrating rotors 31b and 31c operate by pushing the inner bag IN from below upwards. As the inner bag IN travels up and down in a meandering motion between the three vibrating rotors 31a, 31b, and 31c, it is continuously subjected to impacts from the free-spinning roller 34 and repeatedly vibrates up and down, effectively separating the scallop spat S from the inner bag IN. In addition, as the three vibrating rotors 31a, 31b, and 31c rotate in the same direction as the inner bag IN travels, the inner bag IN expands (or loosens) as it passes through the three vibrating rotors 31a, 31b, and 31c, making it easier for the scallop spat S to separate from the inner bag IN.

[0035] Furthermore, because the three free-spinning rollers 34 of each vibrating rotor 31 are at different distances from the rotor shaft 32, the upper vibrating rotor 31a and the lower vibrating rotors 31b and 31c constantly make irregular contact with the inner bag IN, generating vibrations of varying strengths against the inner bag IN. This allows for more effective separation of scallop spat S from the spat collector N.

[0036] The scallop spat S separated from the spat collector N by the vibration separation unit 30 fall downward along with the water discharged from the watering pipe 70 and are collected by the spat recovery unit 60.

[0037] [Differences between the apparatus according to the present invention and conventional apparatuses] In conventional devices, including those described in Patent Document 1, it is believed that scallop spat can be separated by the free-spinning rollers of the vibrating rotor R touching the surface of the inner bag IN of the moving spat collector N. The vibrating rotor R was rotated in the opposite direction to the direction of travel of the inner bag IN (the direction in which tension is applied to the spat collector) so that the free-spinning rollers would make complete contact with the entire surface of the inner bag IN.

[0038] However, in these conventional devices, as the material passes between the three vibrating rotors R positioned vertically, the three vibrating rotors R rotate in a direction that applies tension to the inner bag IN. As shown in Figure 5(a-1), the inner bag IN is pulled backward with the part tied to the rope at the front, resulting in a thin, elongated state. Therefore, although the scallop spat S attached to the outside of the inner bag IN are separated, the scallop spat S attached to the inside of the thin, elongated inner bag IN are not discharged, resulting in a decrease in the recovery rate.

[0039] In contrast, in the apparatus 1 according to the present invention, one upper vibrating rotor 31a and two lower vibrating rotors 31b and 31c, which are alternately arranged along the direction of travel of the spat collector N, are configured to rotate in the same direction as the direction of travel of the spat collector N. That is, the one upper vibrating rotor 31a and the two lower vibrating rotors 31b and 31c rotate in such a way that they push the inner bag IN of the spat collector N, which is traveling between them, in the direction of travel. As a result, as shown in Figure 5(b-1), the inner bag IN expands (or loosens) as it passes through the vibrating rotor 31, making it easier for the scallop spat S attached to the inside to be discharged. As a result, in the apparatus 1, it is possible to vibrate the inner bag IN without applying tension and successfully separate the scallop spat S inside.

[0040] Furthermore, in conventional devices, the outer bag ON is sent into the device with the opposite side facing the direction of travel. However, as shown in Figure 5(a-2), when it passes through the three vibrating rotors R, the rotation of these rotors pushes the outer bag ON backward, causing it to clump together and jam in the vibrating rotors R and the retraction section.

[0041] In contrast, in this device 1, the outer bag ON is also sent into the device with the opposite side of the direction of travel facing inwards. However, as described above, the one upper vibrating rotor 31a and the two lower vibrating rotors 31b and 31c are configured to rotate in the same direction as the direction of travel of the outer bag ON. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5(b-2), the outer bag ON is not pulled forward and accumulated. Thus, in device 1, the outer bag ON can pass smoothly between the three vibrating rotors 31a, 31b, and 31c.

[0042] Furthermore, in conventional devices, the distances of the multiple free-spinning rollers of each vibrating rotor R from the rotor axis are all equal, and the vibrations transmitted from the vibrating rotor R to the seedling collector N are monotonous repetitions. In contrast, in this device 1, the positions of the three free-spinning rollers 34 are not equal in distance from the rotor axis 32, and the distances can be changed as needed. Therefore, the free-spinning rollers 34 of each vibrating rotor 31a, 31b, and 31c always make irregular contact with the seedling collector N, and vibrations of varying strengths can be generated in the seedling collector N. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0043] 1. Swirling shellfish vibration separation device 10. Entrance 11 Retractable roller 11a Upper retractable roller 11b, 11c Lower retraction roller 20 Dispatch Unit 21 Sending roller 30 Vibration isolation section 31 Vibrating rotor 31a Upper vibrating rotor 31b, 31c Lower vibrating rotor 32 rotor shaft 33 Side panel 33a, 33b, 33c Positioning holes 34 Slipping Roller 35 volts 40 Vibration rotor drive unit 41 Motor 42 belts 43 Pulley 50 Retraction roller drive unit 51 Motor 52 belts 60. Juvenile shellfish collection section 70 Sprinkler pipes N Seedling device IN inner bag ON Outer bag L Rope S Scallop spat

Claims

1. A scallop spat separation device that separates scallop spat from a spat collector to which spat have attached, A retraction section that pulls the spat collector into the juvenile shellfish vibration separation device, Within the aforementioned scallop vibrating separation device, multiple vibrating rotors are alternately arranged above and below the travel path of the spat collector, and separate the scallop spat from the spat collector by contacting the spat collector and vibrating it up and down. A vibrating rotor drive unit that rotates the plurality of vibrating rotors so as to send the seedling collector out in the direction of travel of the seedling collector, A juvenile shellfish vibration separation device equipped with the following features.

2. The aforementioned multiple vibrating rotors have multiple free-spinning rollers around the rotor shaft that rotate freely in contact with the seedling collector, Each of the aforementioned free-spinning rollers has a variable distance from the rotor shaft. The juvenile shellfish vibration separation device according to claim 1.

3. A method for separating scallop spat from a spat collector to which spat are attached, using vibration, The separation process includes separating scallop spat from the spat collector by bringing a plurality of vibrating rotors, which are alternately arranged above and below the spat collector along its travel path, into contact with the spat collector and vibrating up and down. The separation step includes rotating the plurality of vibrating rotors so as to send the seedling collector forward in the direction in which the seedling collector travels. A method for separating juvenile shellfish using vibration.

4. The plurality of vibrating rotors have a plurality of free-spinning rollers around the rotor axis that come into contact with the seedling collector and rotate freely, The process further includes changing the distance between each of the plurality of free-spinning rollers and the rotor shaft, The method for separating juvenile shellfish by vibration according to claim 3.

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