Vegetable processing device

Abstract

To provide: an apparatus capable of efficiently performing scraping work of leaf and stem vegetables; and a processing method of vegetable using the same apparatus.SOLUTION: A vegetable processing apparatus has: a carrier table which extends in an advancing direction, a horizontal direction, and a vertical direction and carries vegetables to be processed from an upstream side to a downstream side in the advancing direction; and a first nozzle and a second nozzle which are provided above the carrier table and blows out air to the vegetables to be processed from above. The first nozzle is provided nearer on the downstream side than the second nozzle, and end parts of the first nozzle and the second nozzle are tilted at prescribed angle from a directly downward direction. A lateral direction component of the inclination is in either of a rightward direction or leftward direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus capable of efficiently performing trimming work on leafy vegetables, and a method for processing vegetables using the apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In leafy vegetables such as garlic chives and leeks, in order to maintain freshness, trimming work is required to remove outer leaves (lower leaves) with high leaf age that are easily yellowed, browned, and spoiled due to virus infection, and impurities such as dirt. However, the trimming work accounts for about 60% of the total labor time in a series of processes from the production to the shipment of garlic chives, including cultivation, harvesting, trimming, weighing, and packing, and has the greatest work burden. In addition, in order to improve productivity, skilled workers are indispensable, but due to the decrease and aging of agricultural workers, it is difficult to secure skilled workers for trimming work. Therefore, an apparatus that automatically performs trimming with high-pressure water has been developed (Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] However, the remaining moisture in leafy vegetables causes the growth of bacteria and spoilage, so after trimming work using high-pressure water, a moisture removal operation is required. In addition, the trimming apparatus using high-pressure water also has the drawback that it is difficult to simplify.

[0004] Therefore, a trimming apparatus that uses compressed air in addition to high-pressure water has also been developed (Non-Patent Document 3). In addition, Patent Document 1 discloses a processing apparatus that uses compressed air and suppresses the movement of plants by partitions.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Documents

[0006]

Non-Patent Document 1

[0007] As mentioned above, a stripping device for leafy and stem vegetables that uses compressed air in addition to high-pressure water has already been developed. However, with conventional degrafting devices, the leafy vegetables would move when high-pressure water or compressed air was applied, making it difficult to effectively remove the outer leaves. Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a device that can efficiently perform the trimming of leafy and stem vegetables, and a method for processing vegetables using the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The inventors diligently conducted research to solve the above problems. As a result, they discovered that by using two or more nozzles to blow air onto leafy vegetables to remove the outer leaves, and by tilting the nozzles at a predetermined angle from directly below rather than directly below, it is possible to efficiently remove the leaves while suppressing unnecessary movement of the leafy vegetables, thus completing the present invention. The present invention is described below.

[0009] [1] A conveying platform having directions of travel, left and right, and up and down, which transports the vegetables to be processed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the direction of travel, It has a first nozzle and a second nozzle located above the conveying table that blow air onto the vegetables to be processed from above, The first nozzle is located downstream of the second nozzle. The tips of the first and second nozzles are tilted at a predetermined angle from the direction directly below, and the left-right component of the tilt is either to the right or to the left, in a vegetable processing apparatus. [2] The vegetable processing apparatus according to [1], wherein the first nozzle and the second nozzle are inclined in a direction that brings their tips closer together. [3] The vegetable processing apparatus according to [1] or [2], wherein the installation position of the first nozzle and the installation position of the second nozzle are configured to be movable in the left-right direction. [4] The vegetable processing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [3], further comprising a third nozzle provided above the conveying table for blowing air onto the vegetables to be processed from above. [5] A vegetable processing apparatus according to any one of the above [1] to [4], further comprising a roll body provided above the conveying table for pressing down on the vegetables to be processed, wherein (a) or (b) below is satisfied. (a) When the left-right component of the inclination of the tips of the first nozzle and the second nozzle is to the left, the roll body is positioned to the right of the first nozzle and the second nozzle. (i) If the left-right component of the inclination of the tips of the first nozzle and the second nozzle is to the right, the roll body is positioned to the left of the first nozzle and the second nozzle. [6] The conveying table further comprises a first roll body, a second roll body, and a third roll body, which are provided above the conveying table and press down on the vegetables to be processed. The first roll body is located downstream of the second roll body in the direction of travel. The second roll body is located downstream of the third roll body in the direction of travel. The vegetable processing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the first nozzle is positioned between the first roll body and the second roll body in the direction of travel, and the second nozzle is positioned between the second roll body and the third roll body in the direction of travel. [7] A method for processing vegetables using the vegetable processing apparatus described in any of [1] to [6] above, wherein the processing method satisfies (c) or (d) below. (c) If the left-right component of the inclination of the tips of the first nozzle and the second nozzle is to the left, place the vegetables on the conveying table with the root side of the vegetables on the left and the leaf side of the vegetables on the right. (e) If the left-right component of the inclination of the tips of the first nozzle and the second nozzle is to the right, place the vegetables on the conveying table with the root side of the vegetables to the right and the leaf side of the vegetables to the left. [8] The vegetable processing method according to [7], wherein the vegetable placed on the conveying table is chives, the tips of the first nozzle and the second nozzle are inclined at a predetermined angle from the direction directly below, and the magnitude of the left-right component of the inclination angle is 35 degrees or more and 75 degrees or less. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively blow air while suppressing excessive movement of the lower part of leafy and stem vegetables, especially the outer leaves, which should be removed, thereby enabling efficient trimming of leafy and stem vegetables. Therefore, the present invention is industrially excellent as a technology that can address problems such as the decline and aging of agricultural workers by reducing the burden of trimming leafy and stem vegetables. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of the vegetable processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic plan view showing the positional relationship between leafy and stem vegetables, a roll section that mainly holds down the leafy and stem vegetables, and a nozzle that blows air in the vegetable processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing a roll portion for pressing leafy vegetables and a nozzle for blowing air in the vegetable processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing a roll portion for pressing leafy vegetables and a nozzle for blowing air in the vegetable processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a nozzle for blowing air onto leafy vegetables in the vegetable processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a nozzle for blowing air onto leafy vegetables in the vegetable processing apparatus according to the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, the vegetable processing apparatus and the vegetable processing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following specific examples.

[0013] The transport table of the vegetable processing apparatus according to the present invention has technical significance in the traveling direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction.

[0014] The traveling direction is the direction in which the vegetables to be processed are transported, and particularly, the traveling direction X in FIG. 1 is the direction from the upstream side to the downstream side in which the vegetables to be processed are transported.

[0015] The left-right direction is a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction and parallel to the length direction of the vegetables to be processed. Therefore, the vegetables to be processed are transported side by side on the transport table such that their length direction is perpendicular to the traveling direction.

[0016] The up-down direction is a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the transport table, and air is blown from above the vegetables to be processed downward.

[0017] The transport table is not particularly limited as long as it can transport the vegetables to be processed horizontally or substantially horizontally in the traveling direction X. For example, a so-called belt conveyor may be used.

[0018] The vegetable processing device according to the present invention is installed above the conveying table, that is, above the upper surface of the conveying table on which the vegetables to be processed are placed, and has at least two nozzles for blowing air onto the vegetables to be processed from above. The vegetable processing device according to the present invention has at least two nozzles, and by blowing air from each nozzle simultaneously when the vegetables to be processed are transported between them, the peeling work can be efficiently performed while suppressing unnecessary horizontal movement of the vegetables to be processed. Hereinafter, of the two essential nozzles, the one installed on the downstream side in the direction of travel will be called the first nozzle, and the one installed on the upstream side will be called the second nozzle (see Figure 2).

[0019] The tip of each nozzle is tilted at a predetermined angle θ from directly below, and the left-right component of the tilt is either to the right or to the left, which is perpendicular to the direction of travel (see Figure 3). By arranging the vegetables to be treated from the leaf side to the root side in this tilted direction and blowing air onto them, it becomes possible to remove unwanted leaves such as outer leaves and impurities more efficiently compared to blowing air from directly above.

[0020] The inclination angle θ of the nozzle tip can be adjusted as appropriate, but for example, it can be 20 degrees or more and less than 90 degrees. If the angle is 20 degrees or more, the angle of the air blown onto the vegetables being treated will be relatively close to horizontal, and unwanted leaves and other parts can be separated from the vegetables more efficiently. On the other hand, if the angle is less than 90 degrees, the air can be blown onto the vegetables being treated efficiently. Preferably, the angle is 30 degrees or more, more preferably 35 degrees or more, preferably 80 degrees or less, and more preferably 75 degrees or less.

[0021] Preferably, the tips of the first and second nozzles are tilted at a predetermined angle θ from directly downwards to the left and right, and also tilted in a direction that brings the tips closer together (see Figure 5). When the tips of the first and second nozzles are tilted in a direction that brings them closer together, air is blown from both sides of the vegetable being processed toward the center, which further suppresses the unnecessary movement of the vegetable being processed during the peeling process.

[0022] In addition to the first and second nozzles, a third nozzle may be provided. The third nozzle is located above the conveying table and is used to blow air onto the vegetables being processed from the leaf side, mainly assisting in the removal of unwanted leaves and impurities by the first and second nozzles. In other words, the third nozzle mainly blows air onto areas where it is difficult or impossible for the first and second nozzles to reach, thereby further improving the efficiency of the peeling process. It is also preferable that the tip of the third nozzle is tilted at a predetermined angle θ from directly below to the left and right. The position of the third nozzle can be adjusted as appropriate, for example, between the first and second nozzles is preferable. By positioning the third nozzle between the first and second nozzles, it becomes possible to remove unwanted leaves and dirt more effectively. Furthermore, if unwanted leaves are unevenly distributed on one side in the direction of travel of the vegetables being processed, the third nozzle may be installed downstream of the first nozzle or upstream of the second nozzle, depending on the location of the uneven distribution of unwanted leaves.

[0023] The third nozzle is preferably positioned on the opposite side of the left-right inclination of the first and second nozzles, that is, on the leaf side of the vegetable being treated from the first and second nozzles. By installing the third nozzle in this position, it becomes possible to remove impurities located closer to the leaves of the vegetable being treated more efficiently.

[0024] The positions of the first and second nozzles can be adjusted in the left-right direction (see Figure 6). This allows the air irradiation position to be adjusted according to the size of the vegetables being treated, enabling the peeling process to be carried out most efficiently. Furthermore, it is preferable to be able to adjust the position of the third nozzle in the left-right direction according to the presence or absence of impurities closer to the leaves of the vegetables being treated.

[0025] The vegetable processing apparatus according to the present invention preferably has a roll body that is provided above the conveying table, that is, on the upper surface of the conveying table, and presses the vegetables to be processed downwards. The roll body is intended to make the peeling work more efficient by suppressing unwanted movement of the vegetables to be processed, particularly movement from the leaf side to the root side and rolling in the direction of travel due to air irradiation, when air is blown from the leaf side to the root side of the vegetables to be processed by a nozzle to remove unwanted leaves and impurities.

[0026] The material of the roll body should be soft enough to secure the vegetables being processed during the peeling process without causing unnecessary movement, and also soft enough not to damage the vegetables. Examples include soft polyurethane foam or other soft sponges. More specifically, a density of 10 kg / m³ is preferable. 3 More than 25kg / m 3 The following materials and / or materials with a 25% hardness of 50N or more and 200N or less may be used.

[0027] Since the roller body uses a nozzle to blow air from the leaf side to the root side of the vegetable being treated to remove unwanted leaves and dirt, it is preferable that it be positioned on the leaf side of the vegetable being treated relative to the nozzle. That is, it is preferable that the roller body satisfies either (a) or (b) below.

[0028] (a) When the left-right component of the inclination of the tips of the first nozzle and the second nozzle is to the left, the roll body is positioned to the right of the first nozzle and the second nozzle.

[0029] (i) If the left-right component of the inclination of the tips of the first nozzle and the second nozzle is to the right, the roll body is positioned to the left of the first nozzle and the second nozzle.

[0030] The number of rolls can be adjusted as needed, and one roll may suffice. If there is only one roll, the roll should preferably be positioned between the first and second nozzles when viewed from the side of the conveyor, so that it can hold the vegetables in place when air is irradiated onto them from the nozzle.

[0031] However, three roll bodies are preferable. Furthermore, each roll body is preferably configured to be movable in the direction of travel and / or in the left-right direction. When there are three roll bodies, if we refer to each roll body as the first roll body, the second roll body, and the third roll body, the positional relationship of these roll bodies preferably satisfies (O) to (K) below (see Figures 1, 2, and 4). (e) The first roll body is located downstream of the second roll body in the direction of travel. (c) The second roll body is located downstream of the third roll body in the direction of travel. (Ki) The first nozzle is positioned between the first roll body and the second roll body in the direction of travel, and the second nozzle is positioned between the second roll body and the third roll body in the direction of travel.

[0032] The positional relationship between the first roll and the second roll, and between the second roll and the third roll, preferably satisfies the following conditions (k) to (k) (see Figures 1, 2, and 4). (c) The distance between the first roll and the second roll in the direction of travel is within ±50% of the distance from the center to the end of the vegetables being processed directly below the first and second rolls in the direction of travel. (k) The distance between the second roll and the third roll in the direction of travel is within ±50% of the distance from the center to the end of the vegetables being processed in the direction of travel directly below the second and third rolls.

[0033] When the first nozzle, the second nozzle, and the first to third roll bodies satisfy the positional relationships described in (O) to (Ki), and further in (O) to (Ke), when air is irradiated onto the vegetables to be processed, the ends of the vegetables to be processed are located in the gaps formed by the first roll body and the second roll body and the second roll body and the third roll body, or are fixed to the first roll body and the third roll body, and the center of the vegetables to be processed is fixed to the second roll body. This suppresses unnecessary movement of the vegetables to be processed, making it possible to perform the peeling work more efficiently.

[0034] The following describes a method for processing vegetables using the vegetable processing apparatus according to the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the following specific examples.

[0035] 1. Pre-treatment process for vegetables to be treated In this step, before processing with the vegetable processing device according to the present invention, obviously unnecessary outer leaves and other parts are roughly removed. This process enhances the peeling effect of the irradiated air, increases the movement speed of the vegetables to be processed, and further improves processing efficiency. This step is optional, and if there are no obviously unnecessary leaves on the vegetables to be processed, or any unnecessary leaves that can be easily removed by hand, this step does not need to be performed.

[0036] The vegetables to be processed are so-called leafy and stem vegetables that require trimming between production and shipment, such as chives, leeks, and Japanese parsley.

[0037] 2. Preparation process In this process, the vegetables to be processed are placed on the conveyor table of the vegetable processing device, and the vegetable processing device is adjusted. Specifically, the sorted vegetables to be processed are arranged on the conveyor table perpendicular to the direction of travel, with the nozzle tilted from directly below, and facing from the leaves to the roots. That is, the left-right orientation of the vegetables to be processed on the conveyor table should satisfy either (c) or (d) below. (c) If the left-right component of the inclination of the tips of the first and second nozzles is to the left, place the vegetables on the conveyor table with the root side to the left and the leaf side to the right. (e) If the left-right component of the inclination of the tips of the first and second nozzles is to the right, place the vegetables on the conveyor table with the root side to the right and the leaf side to the left.

[0038] The spacing between the vegetables to be processed should be adjusted as appropriate, within the range where the peeling process can be effectively carried out. For example, the leaf ends of adjacent vegetables to be processed may overlap in the direction of travel, and the distance between adjacent vegetables in the direction of travel does not have to be constant, or it may be constant or approximately constant. If the distance between adjacent vegetables in the direction of travel is constant or approximately constant, it should be adjusted within a range of, for example, 5 cm or more and 20 cm or less. In addition, it is preferable to align the left-right positions of the root ends of the vegetables to be processed so that the peeling process can be carried out effectively. After operating the vegetable processing machine, the vegetables to be processed should be placed sequentially in the same manner in the empty spaces on the conveyor table.

[0039] Next, the positions of the nozzles and rollers are adjusted according to the size of the vegetables to be processed on the conveying table. Specifically, the positions of the first and second nozzles in the left-right and forward directions are adjusted so that when the centers of the first and second nozzles in the left-right direction coincide with the centers of the vegetables to be processed, air is irradiated from both sides onto the roots, allowing for effective peeling. The positions of each roller in the left-right and forward directions are also adjusted so that when the centers of the vegetables to be processed coincide with the centers of the first and second nozzles in the forward direction, movement of the edges of the vegetables to be processed is particularly suppressed.

[0040] 3. Trimming process In this process, air is blown from a nozzle onto the vegetables to be processed on the conveyor table to remove unwanted leaves and dirt.

[0041] Air is ejected by opening an on-off valve that opens and closes the air supply path when the vegetable to be processed reaches the space between the first nozzle and the second nozzle. In this invention, air is simultaneously irradiated onto the vegetable to be processed from the leaf side to the root side from at least two nozzles, the first nozzle and the second nozzle, so that the peeling work can be performed efficiently while suppressing unnecessary movement of the vegetable to be processed. Air ejection may be performed manually using a device that opens and closes the on-off valve that opens and closes the air supply path, or it may be performed automatically by automatically detecting the position of the vegetable to be processed.

[0042] Once the trimming process is complete, the vegetables to be processed may be manually removed from the conveyor table for packaging or packing, or they may be automatically transported to a packaging or packing device.

Claims

1. A conveying platform having directions for travel, left and right, and up and down, which transports the vegetables to be processed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the direction of travel, It has a first nozzle and a second nozzle located above the conveying table that blow air onto the vegetables to be processed from above, The first nozzle is located downstream of the second nozzle. The tips of the first and second nozzles are tilted at a predetermined angle from the direction directly below, and the left-right component of the tilt is either to the right or to the left, and the tips are tilted in a direction that brings them closer together.

2. The vegetable processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the installation positions of the first nozzle and the second nozzle are configured to be movable in the left-right direction.

3. The vegetable processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a third nozzle provided above the conveying table for blowing air onto the vegetables to be processed from above.

4. The vegetable processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a roll body provided above the conveying table for pressing down on the vegetables to be processed, and satisfying either (a) or (b) below. (a) When the left-right component of the inclination of the tips of the first nozzle and the second nozzle is to the left, the roll body is positioned to the right of the first nozzle and the second nozzle. (a) When the left-right component of the inclination of the tips of the first nozzle and the second nozzle is to the right, the roll body is positioned to the left of the first nozzle and the second nozzle.

5. The system further comprises a first roll body, a second roll body, and a third roll body, which are provided above the conveying platform and press down on the vegetables to be processed. The first roll body is located downstream of the second roll body in the direction of travel. The second roll body is located downstream of the third roll body in the direction of travel. The vegetable processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first nozzle is positioned between the first roll body and the second roll body in the direction of travel, and the second nozzle is positioned between the second roll body and the third roll body in the direction of travel.

6. A method for processing vegetables using a vegetable processing apparatus described in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the processing method satisfies either (c) or (d) below. (c) If the left-right component of the inclination of the tips of the first nozzle and the second nozzle is to the left, place the vegetables on the conveying table with the root side of the vegetables on the left and the leaf side of the vegetables on the right. (e) If the left-right component of the inclination of the tips of the first nozzle and the second nozzle is to the right, place the vegetables on the conveying table with the root side of the vegetables to the right and the leaf side of the vegetables to the left.

7. The vegetable processing method according to claim 6, wherein the vegetable placed on the conveying table is chives, the tips of the first nozzle and the second nozzle are inclined at a predetermined angle from the direction directly below, and the magnitude of the left-right component of the inclination angle is 35 degrees or more and 75 degrees or less.

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