Egg washing method and egg washing device
By generating and spraying bubble electrolyzed water onto eggshells during transport, the method efficiently removes dirt from eggshell surfaces, addressing inefficiencies in existing cleaning methods and devices.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- E PLAN CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2022-04-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-01
AI Technical Summary
Existing egg cleaning methods and devices are inefficient in removing dirt from the surface of eggshells, particularly from the recesses, and there is a need for a more effective cleaning method using alkaline electrolyzed water.
The method involves generating alkaline electrolyzed water, incorporating fine bubbles into it using a bubble generator, and spraying this bubble electrolyzed water onto eggshells during transport to enhance cleaning, optionally diluting it with cleaning water before spraying, and using a cleaning tool to remove dirt.
The method effectively cleans the entire surface of eggshells, including recesses, using a small amount of electrolyzed water, and allows for efficient cleaning of a large number of eggs.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
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[0005]
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for cleaning shell eggs using alkaline ionized water (alkaline electrolyzed water) (hereinafter simply referred to as "eggs") and an egg cleaning device.
Background Art
[0003] Alkaline electrolyzed water has a lower surface tension (resulting in a lower contact angle) and improved wettability compared to cleaning water such as tap water and pure water. Therefore, it is easier to come into contact with the recesses of the uneven eggshells, and dirt is more likely to fall off compared to the case of using normal water. Hypochlorous acid water is usually used for sterilization.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0004]
Patent Document 1
Patent Document 2
Patent Document 3
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an egg cleaning method and an egg cleaning device that can efficiently clean the dirt on the surface of the eggshell.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0007] Bubble electrolyzed water can also be diluted by mixing it with cleaning water such as tap water or purified water (to lower the pH value) before spraying it onto eggshells. In this case, the bubble electrolyzed water in the electrolyzed water tank can be diluted by adding it to the cleaning water stored in the cleaning water tank, or by mixing it with cleaning water supplied by tap water or a pump.
[0008] In any of the above cleaning methods, after spraying the bubble electrolyzed water, the eggshells can also be cleaned with a cleaning tool such as a brush to remove any dirt adhering to them. Furthermore, if necessary, the eggshells can be disinfected with a disinfectant solution after cleaning.
[0009] The bubble content of electrolyzed water can be set arbitrarily, but tens of millions to 4 billion bubbles / mL, preferably 200 million to 500 million bubbles / mL, is suitable.
[0010] In this invention, by conveying the eggs while rotating them, it is also possible to spray bubble electrolyzed water or diluted bubble electrolyzed water onto the eggshells for cleaning.
[0011] The egg washing apparatus of the present invention comprises an egg conveyor capable of transporting a large number of eggs in a line, an alkaline electrolyzed water generator (electrolyzed water generator), an electrolyzed water tank for storing the alkaline electrolyzed water produced by the electrolyzed water generator, a bubble generator capable of generating fine bubbles, a circulation device for circulating the alkaline electrolyzed water in the electrolyzed water tank between the bubble generator and the circulation device, and a supply device for supplying the bubble electrolyzed water containing bubbles from the electrolyzed water tank to a spray device. The spray device sprays the supplied bubble electrolyzed water onto the eggshells of eggs being transported by the egg conveyor.
[0012] The egg washing apparatus of the present invention can also be used to dilute the bubble electrolyzed water in the electrolyzed water tank by mixing it with washing water such as tap water or purified water before spraying it onto the eggs. In this case, a washing water tank can be provided, and the bubble electrolyzed water in the electrolyzed water tank can be mixed with the washing water in the washing water tank to dilute it, or the bubble electrolyzed water in the electrolyzed water tank can be mixed with washing water supplied from a tap or tank on the way to the spraying device to dilute it. [Effects of the Invention]
[0013] The egg washing method of the present invention involves spraying bubble electrolyzed water onto eggs during transport. Because the bubble electrolyzed water has a low contact angle (good wettability), it reaches the entire surface of the eggshell, especially the recesses, making it easier to remove dirt than when washing with ordinary washing water.
[0014] The egg washing method of the present invention involves diluting bubble electrolyzed water and spraying it onto the eggs, thus allowing a large number of eggs to be washed with a small amount of bubble electrolyzed water.
[0015] The egg washing apparatus of the present invention circulates alkaline electrolyzed water, which is generated by an electrolyzed water generator and stored in an electrolyzed water tank, between the electrolyzed water and a bubble generator, thereby allowing the alkaline electrolyzed water to contain an appropriate amount of fine bubbles.
[0016] The egg washing apparatus of the present invention can also dilute the bubble electrolyzed water in the electrolyzed water tank with washing water before spraying it onto the eggs, thus allowing a large number of eggs to be washed with a small amount of bubble electrolyzed water. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0017] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing an example of the egg washing apparatus of the present invention. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram showing another example of the egg washing apparatus of the present invention. [Figure 3] Diagram illustrating microbubbles, ultrafine bubbles, and fine bubbles according to the international standard (ISO) 20480. [Figure 4]An example of the bubble generator in the present invention, (a) is a schematic diagram of the principle of the pressurized dissolution method, and (b) is an explanatory diagram of the bubble generation procedure by the pressurized dissolution method.
Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention
[0018] The egg washing device of the present invention is not limited to the egg washing devices shown in FIGS. 1 to 4(a)(b), and the egg washing method of the present invention is not limited to the egg washing method using the egg washing devices shown in FIGS. 1 to 4(a)(b). However, hereinafter, as an example, the egg washing devices shown in FIGS. 1 to 4(a)(b) and the egg washing method using those egg washing devices will be described.
[0019] [Configuration 1 of Egg Washing Device] [Egg Washing Device] The egg washing device in FIG. 1 is the first embodiment of the egg washing device of the present invention. The egg washing device in FIG. 1 includes a conveyor-type egg transporter 1 capable of transporting a large number of eggs arranged vertically and horizontally, an alkaline electrolyzed water generator (electrolyzed water generator) 2, an electrolyzed water tank 3, a bubble generator 4, a circulation device 5, a washing water tank 6, a supply device 7, a water supply device 8, a spraying device 9, a washing tool 10, a disinfectant solution tank 11, a disinfectant solution spraying tool 12, and a discharger 13.
[0020] [Egg Transporter] The egg transporter 1 may be an existing one or a newly installed one. In either case, it is an endless rotating conveyor type, and there are a large number of rows of placing parts vertically and horizontally on which eggs can be placed one by one, and the eggs placed on those placing parts can be continuously or intermittently transported by the movement (travel) of the conveyor. It is desirable that each placing part has a rotating roller capable of rotating the egg during transportation. By rotating with the rotating roller, the bubble electrolyzed liquid is sprayed onto the entire surface of the eggshell. The shape of the rotating roller, the rotation mechanism, etc. may be the same as those of the rotating rollers of existing egg transporters or may be new ones.
[0021] [Electrolyzed Water Generator] Electrolyzed water generator 2 can produce alkaline ionized water (alkaline electrolyzed water) by electrolysis. While a general-purpose alkaline electrolyzed water generator can be used, the alkaline electrolyzed water generators previously developed by the applicant in this case, patents No. 4967050, No. 6057267, and No. 6448043, are suitable.
[0022] The electrolytic water generation capacity of electrolytic water generator 2 can be designed arbitrarily, but it is desirable that it be able to continuously generate an amount of alkaline electrolytic water that can be stored at all times in an electrolytic water tank with a capacity of approximately 100L.
[0023] The pH value of the electrolyzed water produced by the electrolyzed water generator 2 can be arbitrarily selected, but for example, it can be set to approximately pH 9 to 13.1. An example of the electrolyzed water produced is the alkaline electrolyzed water produced by the alkaline electrolyzed water generator according to the applicant's patent, for example, an alkaline electrolyte containing 99.83% pure water and 0.17% potassium hydroxide, with a pH of 12.1 to 13.2, preferably 12.5 to 13.1, an oxidation-reduction potential of -1100 to -300 mV, preferably -900 to -700 mV, and a dissolved hydrogen concentration of 200 to 1500 ppb, preferably 400 to 1300 ppb. Strong alkaline ionized water with a high pH value can also be used after dilution. The amount of potassium hydroxide varies depending on the pH value, but for example, it is about 0.1% at around pH 12.1 and about 0.98% at around pH 13.2.
[0024] [Electrolyzed water tank] The electrolyzed water tank 3 is capable of storing alkaline electrolyzed water produced by the electrolyzed water generator 2, and its shape, structure, material, capacity, etc., can be selected arbitrarily. Depending on the number of eggs to be washed, it can, for example, store approximately 100L to 300L of electrolyzed water.
[0025] [Bubble Generator] The bubble generator 4 may be a general-purpose bubble generator or a new bubble generator. There are various types of bubbles with different particle sizes. According to the international standard (ISO) 20480, bubbles with a diameter of less than 100 μm are microbubbles, bubbles with a diameter of less than 1 μm are ultrafine bubbles (UFB), and microbubbles and ultrafine bubbles are collectively defined as fine bubbles (Figure 3). The bubble generator 4 in this invention may be capable of generating bubbles of any size, but it is suitable to have one that can generate at least microbubbles or ultrafine bubbles as defined in ISO 20480. The bubble generator 4 in this invention is suitable to have a bubble generation rate of tens of millions of bubbles / mL to 4 billion bubbles / mL, preferably 200 million bubbles / mL to 500 million bubbles / mL.
[0026] The bubble generator 4 can use various bubble generation methods, such as pressurized dissolution, shearing, and aeration. The bubble generation method of the bubble generator 4 in this invention can be any method, but as an example, the pressurized dissolution method or the shearing method is suitable, and the pressurized dissolution method is particularly suitable.
[0027] [Pressure Dissolution Method] The principle of the existing pressurized dissolution method is shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b). In this method, water (liquid) is pumped into the inlet pipe 21 and passed through the narrow-diameter pipe 22, thereby using the pressure difference to draw in air (gas) (Venturi effect). The outlet pipe (pressurized dissolution section) 23 is then pressurized to dissolve the gas into the pumped liquid at high pressure (pressurized dissolution). The liquid in which the gas has been pressurized and dissolved is then depressurized, and the gas that can no longer be dissolved is discharged from the nozzle 24 to atmospheric pressure, thereby generating a large amount of fine bubbles (microbubbles or ultrafine bubbles).
[0028] The pressurized dissolution method allows for the continuous supply of dissolved oxygen (DO value) at a saturation ratio of 150% or higher, resulting in improved dissolved oxygen levels (more bubbles). Furthermore, it enables continuous and rapid gas-liquid reactions, has fewer parts, a simple configuration, wide piping making it less prone to blockage (clogging), fewer malfunctions, and easier maintenance.
[0029] [Shear method] Existing shearing methods generate large quantities of microbubbles (microbubbles or ultrafine bubbles) by physically crushing air or bubbles. While this method achieves a DO value of 100% or more, its complex structure makes it susceptible to pipe blockage.
[0030] [Circulation device] The circulation device 5 circulates the alkaline electrolyzed water, which is produced by the electrolyzed water generator 2 and stored in the electrolyzed water tank 3, with the bubble generator 4. Through this circulation, bubbles are incorporated into the alkaline electrolyzed water, resulting in bubble electrolyzed water. For example, a pump or other circulation equipment can be used in the circulation device 5.
[0031] [Washing water tank] The washing water tank 6 stores the washing water that is sprayed onto the eggshells while they are being transported by the egg conveyor 1, and can be an existing or newly installed tank. In Figure 1, the washing water tank 6 is located below the egg conveyor 1. Its shape is approximately the same as the egg conveyor 1 in terms of width and length. Its capacity is designed to store the amount of washing water necessary for washing the eggs.
[0032] [Feeding device] The supply device 7 dilutes the alkaline electrolyzed water by mixing the bubble electrolyzed water stored in the electrolyzed water tank 3 with the cleaning water in the cleaning water tank 6. The supply device 7 uses a pump, a suction device, and other equipment. The bubble electrolyzed water can be supplied to the cleaning water tank 6 by dripping, continuous supply, or other methods.
[0033] [Water supply device] The water supply device 8 supplies the electrolyzed water-mixed washing water from the washing water tank 6 to a water supply pipe that is installed over the egg conveyor 1, traversing the egg washing machine 1 in the lateral direction, and then supplies it to a spray device (e.g., a nozzle) 9 attached to the water supply pipe. In Figure 1, the water supply pipe is installed at two locations, front and rear, in the direction of travel of the egg conveyor 1, but the number of installation locations can be any number of three or more.
[0034] [Injection device] The spraying device 9 sprays the cleaning water (electrolyzed water mixed cleaning water) from the cleaning water tank 6 supplied by the water supply device 8 onto the eggs. It can spray in a mist or shower form, drip-like manner, or flowing manner, and various general-purpose nozzles, faucets, and other spraying devices can be used.
[0035] The spraying device 9 is installed on the water supply pipe, and by spraying cleaning water into the water supply pipe, it can be sprayed onto the eggs being transported by the egg conveyor 1. The spraying device 9 is installed on each of the two water supply pipes that are installed above the egg conveyor 1. If there are three or more water supply pipes, the spraying device 9 can be installed on all of those water supply pipes.
[0036] [overflow] The cleaning water sprayed onto the eggshells from the spraying device 9 is designed to fall naturally back into the cleaning water tank 6. The cleaning water tank 6 is refilled with cleaning water to ensure that the necessary amount of cleaning water is available. In this case, the cleaning water overflows, ensuring that clean cleaning water is always stored in the cleaning water tank 6. The overflowed cleaning water can be automatically discharged into an external drain or sewer pipe, or it can be forcibly discharged by a discharge device (e.g., a pump) 13. When cleaning water is refilled into the cleaning water tank 6, the mixing ratio of bubble electrolyzed water into the cleaning water decreases, so the bubble electrolyzed water in the electrolyzed water tank 3 is supplied to the cleaning water in the cleaning water tank 6 by the supply device 7, so that the cleaning water in the cleaning water tank 6 always contains a predetermined amount (ratio) of bubble electrolyzed water.
[0037] [Cleaning tools] The cleaning device 10 is used to clean eggs being transported after being sprayed with cleaning water. For example, a general-purpose rotating brush or a fixed brush can be used. In the case of a rotating brush, the rotating shaft to which the brush is attached is rotated by a rotating drive unit such as a motor. In the case of a fixed brush, it is possible to make the brush rotate when it comes into contact with a rotating eggshell, or to make it not rotate even when it comes into contact with a rotating eggshell. The cleaning device 10 is mounted on top of the egg transporter 1. In Figure 1, the cleaning device 10 is installed behind the two spraying devices 9 in the transport direction, but there may be one installation location or three or more locations.
[0038] [Sterilization solution tank] The disinfectant solution tank 11 in Figure 1 is a tank for storing disinfectant solution (usually hypochlorous acid water) used to disinfect eggs after washing with washing water. A general-purpose tank can be used for the disinfectant solution tank 11.
[0039] [sterilizing liquid spray tool] The disinfectant sprayer 12 sprays the disinfectant supplied from the disinfectant tank 11 onto the eggs, and a general-purpose nozzle or other spraying device is used.
[0040] [Egg washing device configuration 2] The egg washing apparatus shown in Figure 2 is a second embodiment of the egg washing apparatus of the present invention. Similar to the case in Figure 1, it includes an egg conveyor 1, an electrolytic water generator 2, an electrolytic water tank 3, a bubble generator 4, a circulation device 5, a supply device 7, a spray device 9, a washing tool 10, a sterilizing liquid tank 11, a sterilizing liquid spray device 12, and a discharge device 13. However, it does not include the washing water tank 6 and water supply device 8 of Figure 1, but it does include a recovery tank 15 and a mixing unit 16. The various devices and equipment in Figure 2 have the same configuration, function, and effectiveness as those devices and equipment in Figure 1.
[0041] In the egg washing apparatus shown in Figure 2, the bubble electrolyzed water in the electrolyzed water tank 3 is supplied to the mixing unit 16 by the supply device 7, where it is mixed with washing water to dilute the bubble electrolyzed water before being supplied to the spraying device 9. The diluted bubble electrolyzed water is then sprayed onto the eggs from the spraying device 9. The electrolyzed water sprayed onto the eggs is collected in the recovery tank 15 and forcibly discharged to the outside by the discharger 13.
[0042] [Egg washing device configuration 3] A third embodiment of the egg washing apparatus of the present invention, although not shown in the figures, can also be configured such that the bubble electrolyzed water in the electrolyzed water tank 3 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is directly supplied to the spraying device 9 and sprayed onto the eggs.
[0043] [Control Unit] Although not shown in Figures 1 and 2, the present invention may also include a control unit. The control unit can set and change the following: the conveyance / stopping and conveyance speed of the egg conveyor 1; the operation / stopping and production amount of the electrolytic water generator 2 and the pH value of the generated alkaline electrolytic water; the operation / stopping and production amount of the bubble generator 4 and the particle size of the generated bubbles; the operation / stopping and circulation speed of the circulation device 5; the operation / stopping and supply amount of the supply device 7; the operation / stopping and supply amount of the water supply device 8; the spray amount and spray pattern of the spray device 9; and the spray timing and spray amount of the sterilizing liquid from the sterilizing liquid tank 11. The control unit can set and change the following: the conveyance / stopping and conveyance speed of the egg conveyor 1 and the conveyance speed of the egg conveyor 1 and the operation / stopping and supply amount of the supply device 7 and the supply water supply device 8 and the spray amount and spray pattern of the spray device 9; and the spray timing and spray amount of the sterilizing liquid from the sterilizing liquid tank 11. The control unit can set and change the following: the conveyance / stopping and conveyance speed of the egg conveyor 1 and the conveyance speed of the egg conveyor 2 and the operation / stopping and production amount of the electrolytic water generator 2 and the amount of overflow from the washing water tank 6.
[0044] [Egg washing method] To wash eggs using the egg washing device shown in Figure 1, for example, the following can be done: (1) Place the eggs on the loading section of the egg conveyor 1 and transport them. (2) Alkaline electrolyzed water is produced in the electrolyzed water generator 2 and stored in the electrolyzed water tank 3. (3) The alkaline electrolyzed water in the electrolyzed water tank 3 is circulated between it and the bubble generator 4 to create bubble electrolyzed water. (4) The bubble electrolyzed water in the electrolyzed water tank 3 is supplied to the spraying device 9 either directly or after being diluted to lower the pH value, and sprayed onto the eggshells as they are being transported. The bubble electrolyzed water is diluted by mixing it with the washing water in the washing water tank 6, or by mixing it with washing water supplied from a tap or the like. (5) The cleaning tool 10 comes into contact with the eggshells on which the bubble electrolyzed water is sprayed, and the eggshells are cleaned. (6) The washed eggs are sterilized by spraying them with a sterilizing solution. (7) The pasteurized eggs are removed from the egg conveyor 1 and packaged. The removal and packaging of the eggs are performed manually or automatically by machine (e.g., robot). [Industrial applicability]
[0045] The above-described embodiment is an example of the present invention. The egg washing method and egg washing apparatus of the present invention can be redesigned to include other washing methods and washing apparatuses, to the extent that the problems can be solved. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0046] 1 Egg conveyor 2. Alkaline electrolyzed water generator (electrolyzed water generator) 3. Electrolyzed water tank 4. Bubble Generator 5 Circulation device 6. Washing water tank 7 Feeding device 8 Water supply device 9 Injection device 10 Cleaning tools 11 Sterilization solution tank 12 Disinfectant sprayer 13 Discharge machine 15 Recovery Tanks 16 Mixing section 21 Inlet side conduit 22 Small diameter pipe line 23 Outlet side pipeline (pressurized melting section) 24 nozzles
Claims
1. Alkaline electrolyzed water is produced using an electrolyzed water generator and stored in an electrolyzed water tank. Alkaline electrolyzed water in the electrolyzed water tank is circulated between the electrolyzed water tank and the bubble generator to incorporate a predetermined amount of fine bubbles into the alkaline electrolyzed water, thereby creating bubble electrolyzed water. The electrolyzed bubble water is mixed with the cleaning water in the cleaning water tank to dilute it. Diluted bubble electrolyzed water is sprayed onto the eggshells in transit. Add cleaning water and alkaline electrolyzed water to the cleaning water tank. The cleaning water in the cleaning water tank is allowed to overflow. An egg washing method characterized by the following features.
2. In the egg washing method according to claim 1, The eggshells are sprayed with electrolyzed bubble water and then washed with a cleaning tool to remove dirt from the eggshells. An egg washing method characterized by the following features.
3. In the egg washing method according to claim 1, The bubble content of electrolyzed water is tens of millions of bubbles / mL to 4 billion bubbles / mL. An egg washing method characterized by the following features.
4. In the egg washing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Alkaline electrolyzed water is an alkaline electrolyte solution containing 99.83% pure water and 0.17% potassium hydroxide, with a pH of 12.5 to 13.1 and an oxidation-reduction potential of -900 to -700 mV. An egg washing method characterized by the following features.
5. An egg transporter that can transport a large number of eggs in a line, An electrolytic water generator that produces alkaline electrolyzed water, A bubble generator capable of producing fine bubbles, An electrolytic water tank for storing alkaline electrolyzed water produced by an electrolytic water generator, A spraying device that sprays bubble electrolyzed water onto eggs in transit, A circulation device that circulates alkaline electrolyzed water in an electrolyzed water tank between it and a bubble generator, A washing water tank for storing washing water, A supply device that supplies bubble electrolyzed water, in which bubbles are contained in alkaline electrolyzed water through circulation, to the washing water in the washing water tank, The bubble electrolyzed water, diluted by mixing with washing water, is sprayed from the spraying device onto the eggs during transport. An egg washing device characterized by the following features.
6. In the egg washing apparatus according to claim 5, The bubble generation method of the bubble generator is either a pressurized dissolution method or a shearing method. An egg washing device characterized by the following features.
7. In the egg washing apparatus according to claim 5, A washing device for washing eggshells is provided ahead of the spraying device in the direction of egg transport. An egg washing device characterized by the following features.
8. In the egg washing apparatus according to claim 5, A sterilizing solution sprayer is provided ahead of the spraying device in the direction of egg transport, which sprays the sterilizing solution onto eggs that have been washed with bubble electrolyzed water. An egg washing device characterized by the following features.
9. In the egg washing apparatus according to claim 5, The cleaning water tank uses an overflow system. The washing water tank is equipped with a control unit that can control the supply of washing water and electrolyzed bubble water from the electrolyzed water tank. An egg washing device characterized by the following features.