Food washing unit and food washing apparatus using the same

Abstract

The present invention provides a food washing unit and a food washing device using the same, which can efficiently wash large quantities of food in a short time, easily separate food from dirt, and do not damage food. [Solution] A food washing unit 1 for washing food placed in a washing basket 10 comprises a washing tank 2 filled with washing liquid, an input conveyor 3 installed on the front side of the washing tank 2, an output conveyor 4 installed on the rear side of the washing tank 2, a basket moving means 5 that moves the washing basket 10, which has been transported to the front position of the washing tank 2 by the input conveyor 3, into the washing tank 2, and moves the washed washing basket 10 from inside the washing tank 2 onto the output conveyor 4, and a washing means 6 that washes the food by shaking the washing basket 10, which has been moved into the washing tank 2, in the washing liquid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a food cleaning unit for cleaning foods such as seafood, vegetables, and meat, and a food cleaning apparatus using the same.

Background Art

[0002] Shellfish live on the seabed such as sandy areas and small gravels, and mud and sand are mixed in the landed shellfish. Also, when removing the shell and getting the flesh, foreign substances such as shell fragments and seaweed attached to the shell surface may adhere.

[0003] In addition, mud, agricultural chemicals, etc. adhere to the surface of vegetables harvested from the fields. Such dirt attached to the food not only has an adverse effect on the willingness to purchase, but there is also a risk that food poisoning bacteria will multiply. Therefore, generally, foods such as shellfish flesh, vegetables, and meat are shipped after being washed.

[0004] So far, various machines for cleaning mud, sand, foreign substances, fungi, etc. attached to the surface of foods have been invented. For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-252710, a scallop raw scallop cleaning apparatus is proposed that places scallop adductor muscles on a net-like conveyor belt and sprays washing water from below while moving to clean the scallop adductor muscles on the conveyor belt (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, the invention described in Patent Document 1 has the problem that washing large quantities of scallop adductor muscles requires a lot of time and water because the structure involves placing each scallop adductor muscle on a conveyor belt one by one. In addition, the process of placing the adductor muscles on the conveyor belt is not automated, which places a heavy burden on the workers.

[0007] Furthermore, because the adductor muscle is cleaned by a spray of washing water from below, dirt and food poisoning bacteria tend to remain on the top surface, and it is also prone to damage.

[0008] The present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a food washing unit and a food washing device using the same that can efficiently wash a large amount of food in a short time, easily separate food from dirt, and do not damage food. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The food washing unit according to the present invention solves the problem of efficiently and safely washing a large quantity of food placed in a washing basket, and comprises a washing tank filled with washing liquid, an input conveyor installed on the front side of the washing tank, an output conveyor installed on the rear side of the washing tank, a basket moving means for moving the washing basket, which has been transported to the front position of the washing tank by the input conveyor, into the washing tank, and for moving the washed washing basket from inside the washing tank onto the output conveyor, and a washing means for washing the food by shaking the washing basket, which has been moved into the washing tank, in the washing liquid.

[0010] Furthermore, in one aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the problem of efficiently washing the food contained in a washing basket by securely holding and shaking the washing basket in the washing liquid, the washing means may include a basket holding frame formed in a frame shape that fits and holds the washing basket lowered into the washing tank by the basket moving means, and a frame swinging part that swings the basket holding frame in at least one of the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction.

[0011] Furthermore, in one aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the problem of quickly and reliably moving a washing basket equipped with handle holes, the basket moving means may include a hook portion that engages with handle holes formed on the left and right sides of the washing basket, and a hook moving portion that moves the hook portion in the left-right, up-down, and front-back directions.

[0012] Furthermore, in one aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the problem of preventing floating particles suspended on the washing solution from adhering to food again after washing, a floating particle removal plate may be provided, which is suspended from the hook moving part across the left and right sides of the washing tank and moves to the front and rear ends of the washing tank, thereby sweeping the floating particles on the washing solution out of the washing tank.

[0013] The food washing apparatus according to the present invention solves the problem of washing a large quantity of food continuously and efficiently by arranging multiple food washing units side by side in the left-right direction, with the input conveyor positioned on the front side of these food washing units and the output conveyor positioned on the rear side of the food washing units. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, large quantities of food can be washed efficiently in a short time, food can be easily separated from dirt, and food can be washed without damaging it. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1]It is a left perspective view showing an embodiment of a food washing unit according to the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a right perspective view showing the food washing unit of this embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a front view showing the food washing unit of this embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a plan view showing the food washing unit of this embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a front view showing an embodiment of a food washing device according to the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a plan view showing the food washing device of this embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a right perspective view showing the food washing device of this embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view showing a state where a washing basket is lifted by a basket moving means according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a perspective view showing a state where the washing basket is moved in the front-rear direction by a washing means according to this embodiment to wash food. [Figure 10] It is a rear-side perspective view showing a state where floating matter floating on the cleaning liquid is removed by a floating matter removing plate according to this embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a rear-side perspective view showing a state where the washing basket is lifted by a basket moving means according to this embodiment to drain water.

Embodiment for Implementing the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a food washing unit according to the present invention and a food washing device using the same will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] First, the food washing unit 1 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the food washing unit 1 of the present embodiment includes a washing tank 2 for washing food, a loading conveyor 3 for loading a washing basket 10 containing food, an unloading conveyor 4 for unloading the washing basket 10 after washing the food, a basket moving means 5 for moving the washing basket 10 from the loading conveyor 3 to the washing tank 2 and from the washing tank 2 to the unloading conveyor 4, and a washing means 6 for shaking the washing basket 10 in the washing tank 2 to wash the food. Hereinafter, each component will be described.

[0018] The washing tank 2 is a water tank with an open top surface. In the present embodiment, it is formed in a size that can accommodate two washing baskets 10 arranged side by side in the left - right direction. This washing tank 2 is filled with a cleaning liquid for washing food. In the present embodiment, as the cleaning liquid for washing scallop adductor muscles, so - called ozone seawater, which is a mixture of ozone in sterile seawater sterilized by ultraviolet rays, is filled.

[0019] Note that the size of the washing tank 2 is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the size of the washing basket 10 and the number of washing baskets 10 to be placed at one time. Also, the cleaning liquid to be put into the washing tank 2 is not limited to ozone seawater and may be appropriately selected according to the food.

[0020] The washing basket 10 is a basket for putting food and washing it. As shown in FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, it is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open top, and the substantially side surfaces and the bottom surface are formed in a net shape so that the cleaning liquid can pass through. Also, at the upper ends of both left and right side surfaces, a handle portion 12 with a handle hole 11 opened is formed convexly upward.

[0021] Note that the size, shape, etc. of the washing basket 10 are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the food.

[0022] The input conveyor 3 is a conveyor for transporting the washing baskets 10, which are brought in from either the left or right direction, to the front position of the washing tank 2. In this embodiment, it is composed of a belt conveyor with a front-to-back width approximately the same as that of the washing baskets 10 and a left-to-right length approximately the same as the left-to-right width of the food washing unit 1. This input conveyor 3 is located on the front side of the washing tank 2.

[0023] Furthermore, although not shown in the figures, the conveyor belt 3 in this embodiment includes a stopper that stops the washing basket 10 at the front position of the washing tank 2, and a sensor that detects when the washing basket 10 has moved to the front position of the washing tank 2.

[0024] The input conveyor 3 is not limited to a belt conveyor; any conveyor capable of moving the washing basket 10, such as a chain conveyor or roller conveyor, may be appropriately selected.

[0025] The discharge conveyor 4 is a conveyor for discharging the washed baskets 10 in either the left or right direction after washing. In this embodiment, it is composed of a belt conveyor with a front-to-back width approximately the same as the washed baskets 10 and a left-to-right length approximately the same as the left-to-right width of the food washing unit 1. This discharge conveyor 4 is located on the rear side of the washing tank 2, opposite the input conveyor 3, with the washing tank 2 as the boundary.

[0026] Furthermore, the discharge conveyor 4 is not limited to a belt conveyor, similar to the input conveyor 3, but may be appropriately selected from any conveyor capable of moving the washing basket 10, such as a chain conveyor or a driven roller conveyor.

[0027] The basket moving mechanism 5 is used to move the washing basket 10 from the loading conveyor 3 to the washing tank 2, and from the washing tank 2 to the unloading conveyor 4. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, it consists of a hook portion 51 that engages with the handle hole 11 of the washing basket 10, and a hook moving portion 52 that moves the hook portion 51.

[0028] The hook portion 51 is used to engage with the handle hole 11 of the washing basket 10. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, it consists of a vertical portion 511 suspended from the hook movement portion 52 and a horizontal portion 512 extending horizontally from the lower end of the vertical portion 511. The horizontal portion 512 is sized to be insertable into the handle hole 11, and has an upwardly bent barb 513 at its tip.

[0029] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the three hook portions 51 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction at the same interval as the left-right width of the washing basket 10, and the tip of the horizontal portion 512 is positioned to face to the right.

[0030] Furthermore, the direction in which the tip of the horizontal section 512 faces is not limited to the right; it may also face left.

[0031] The hook movement unit 52 moves the hook portion 51 in the left-right, up-down, and front-back directions. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, it includes a hook support member 521 that supports three hook portions 51, a left-right drive unit 522 that moves the hook support member 521 in the left-right direction, an up-down drive unit 523 that moves the hook support member 521 in the up-down direction, and a front-back drive unit 524 that moves the hook support member 521 in the front-back direction.

[0032] The left-right drive unit 522, the up-down drive unit 523, and the front-rear drive unit 524 are composed of rail members provided along the left-right, up-down, and front-rear directions, as well as pistons, motors, belts, and gears that move the hook support member 521 along each rail member.

[0033] The configuration of the hook movement section 52 is not particularly limited, and a configuration that allows the hook section 51 to move in the left-right, up-down, and front-back directions may be appropriately selected.

[0034] Furthermore, the hook movement section 52 in this embodiment is provided with a floating object removal plate 7 for removing floating objects on the cleaning liquid by sweeping them out of the cleaning tank 2.

[0035] The floating debris removal plate 7 is made of a resin plate and, as shown in Figure 3, is suspended over the washing tank 2 from the hook support member 521 of the hook movement unit 52 across the left and right sides of the washing tank 2. In this embodiment, the floating debris removal plate 7 has gaps formed in the center and near both the left and right ends so that it does not come into contact with the handle portion 12 of the washing basket 10 when it moves in the front-to-back direction by the hook movement unit 52.

[0036] Furthermore, if the specific gravity of dirt and other substances attached to the food is heavier than the cleaning solution, and there are no floating particles on the surface of the cleaning solution, or if the amount of floating particles is small and unlikely to reattach, then the floating particle removal plate 7 may not be required.

[0037] The washing means 6 washes the food inside the washing basket 10 by shaking the washing basket 10, which has been moved into the washing tank 2, in the washing liquid. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, it has a basket holding frame 61 that holds the washing basket 10 and a frame swinging part 62 that shakes the basket holding frame 61.

[0038] The basket holding frame 61 is formed in a frame shape into which the washing basket 10 can be fitted from above, and in this embodiment, it is configured to hold two washing baskets 10 side by side.

[0039] The frame swinging part 62 swings the cage holding frame 61, and in this embodiment, it is configured to be able to reciprocate in the front-rear direction along rails arranged at both the left and right ends of the cage holding frame 61.

[0040] Furthermore, the direction in which the basket-holding frame 61 is swung by the frame swinging part 62 is not limited to the front-to-back direction, but may also be the left-to-right direction, or both the front-to-back and left-to-right directions.

[0041] The food washing device 100 is composed of multiple food washing units 1 arranged side by side in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 to 7, four food washing units 1 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction.

[0042] In this configuration, each food washing unit 1 is positioned such that an input conveyor 3 is located on the front side and an output conveyor 4 is located on the rear side. This ensures that the input conveyors 3 and output conveyors 4 of adjacent food washing units 1 are aligned continuously in the left-right direction, allowing the washing baskets 10 to be freely moved in both left-right and right directions between the food washing units 1.

[0043] Furthermore, the number of food washing units 1 in the food washing device 100 is not limited to four, and may be appropriately selected depending on the type of food, the required processing capacity, the size of the installation space, etc.

[0044] Next, the operation of each component of the food washing unit 1 and the food washing device 100 using the same in this embodiment will be described.

[0045] First, the ingredients are placed in the washing basket 10 and then transported to the food washing device 100. In this embodiment, the shells are removed from the scallops, and multiple adductor muscles, from which the gills and other parts have been removed, are placed in the washing basket 10. Then, as shown in Figure 7, two washing baskets 10 are placed side by side from the transport platform 101 installed on the right side of the food washing device 100 and placed on the transport conveyor 3 of the food washing unit 1 at the far right.

[0046] The input conveyor 3 drives a belt conveyor to transport the washing baskets 10 placed on it to the front of the washing tank 2. In this embodiment, since each food washing unit 1 is arranged in a left-right direction, each input conveyor 3 constitutes a series of conveyors, and the washing baskets 10 can be transported to any position in front of the washing tank 2.

[0047] The basket moving means 5 moves the transported washing basket 10 into the washing tank 2.

[0048] Specifically, the hook moving unit 52 moves the three hooks 51 so that they are positioned to the left of each handle hole 11 of the washing basket 10, and then moves them horizontally to the right. As a result, the leftmost hook 51 is inserted into the left handle hole 11 of the left washing basket 10, the rightmost hook 51 is inserted into the right handle hole 11 of the right washing basket 10, and the central hook 51 is inserted into the right handle hole 11 of the left washing basket 10 and the left handle hole 11 of the right washing basket 10.

[0049] Next, as shown in Figure 8, the hook moving unit 52 moves each hook portion 51 upward, locking them into the handle holes 11 and lifting the washing basket 10. Then, it moves it onto the washing tank 2 at the rear and lowers the washing basket 10 so that it fits into the basket holding frame 61 inside the washing tank 2. After fitting the washing basket 10 into the basket holding frame 61, the hook moving unit 52 moves each hook portion 51 to the left and removes the hook portion 51 from the handle holes 11.

[0050] As described above, the basket moving means 5 in this embodiment can quickly and reliably move the washing basket 10 from the loading conveyor 3 into the washing tank 2 by moving the hook portion 51 in the left-right, up-down, and front-back directions using the hook moving portion 52.

[0051] The cleaning means 6 washes the scallop adductor muscles placed in the cleaning basket 10 by shaking the cleaning basket 10, which has been moved into the cleaning tank 2, in the cleaning liquid. Specifically, as shown in Figure 9, the cleaning basket 10, which has been placed into the cleaning tank 2, is fitted into and held within the basket holding frame 61 inside the cleaning tank 2. The basket holding frame 61 is then moved back and forth multiple times by the frame swinging part 62, causing the held cleaning basket 10 to swing.

[0052] As the washing basket 10 is shaken by the washing means 6, the washing liquid enters and exits through the mesh on the sides and bottom, washing away sand, mud, shell fragments, and slime attached to the surface of the scallops placed in the washing basket 10, thus washing the scallops.

[0053] At this time, any sand or other material that is washed away and has a specific gravity lighter than the washing solution will float on the surface of the washing solution. When scallop adductor muscles are washed as in this embodiment, slime and other substances attached to the surface will float on the surface of the washing solution as foam.

[0054] As shown in Figure 10, the floating debris removal plate 7 is moved to both the front and rear ends of the cleaning tank 2 by the hook movement unit 52 before the cleaning basket 10 is lifted out of the cleaning tank 2. Accordingly, the floating debris removal plate 7 removes floating debris such as foam that is suspended on the cleaning liquid by sweeping it out of the cleaning tank 2. In this embodiment, most of the floating debris can be removed by moving the plate back and forth to the front and rear ends about two to three times.

[0055] In this embodiment, the floating debris removal plate 7 has a gap formed to match the position of the handle portion 12 of the washing basket 10, so that its movement in the front-to-back direction is not hindered by the handle portion 12.

[0056] After removing floating matter from the cleaning solution, the hook movement unit 52 moves the hook unit 51 to the right, inserts it back into the handle hole 11, and lifts the cleaning basket 10. The floating matter on the cleaning solution is removed by the floating matter removal plate 7, preventing it from reattaching to the adductor muscle.

[0057] After lifting the washing basket 10, the hook moving unit 52 holds the washing basket 10 over the washing tank 2 for a predetermined time, as shown in Figure 11, to perform a so-called draining operation. Once the draining of the washing liquid is complete, the hook moving unit 52 moves the washing basket 10 backward and lowers it onto the discharge conveyor 4. Then, the hook part 51 is moved to the left and pulled out through the handle hole 11, and the hook part 51 is moved forward so as not to obstruct the discharge of the washing basket 10.

[0058] The discharge conveyor 4 discharges the washed washing baskets 10, which are placed on the basket moving means 5. In this embodiment, similar to the input conveyor 3, the food washing units 1 are arranged in a left-right direction, so each discharge conveyor 4 constitutes a series of conveyors, and the washing baskets 10 can be automatically discharged in any direction.

[0059] After transport, the floating matter removal plate 7 is used to remove floating matter again. This prevents floating matter from adhering to the food in the newly washed washing basket 10.

[0060] Furthermore, if there is little floating matter after washing, or if the next washing basket 10 is waiting in front of the washing tank 2, the washing time may be prioritized, and the removal of floating matter using the floating matter removal plate 7 after transport may be omitted.

[0061] This completes one cycle of food washing in each food washing unit 1. After that, the next washing basket 10, which has been transported to the front of the washing tank 2 by the input conveyor 3, is moved as appropriate by the basket moving means 5, and the washing means 6 sequentially performs the washing operation.

[0062] In this embodiment, the food washing apparatus 100 has four food washing units 1 that sequentially perform these washing tasks. Each input conveyor 3 can load and wait the washing basket 10 at the most suitable position in front of the food washing unit 1, depending on the remaining time for the washing work of each food washing unit 1, and the washing work in each food washing unit 1 can be performed simultaneously and in parallel.

[0063] According to this embodiment described above, the following effects can be achieved. 1. By shaking the washing basket 10 in the washing solution, a large quantity of food placed in the washing basket 10 can be washed without damaging it. 2. In the washing means 6 of this embodiment, by moving the washing basket 10, which is fitted into the basket holding frame 61, back and forth in a predetermined direction, the washing basket 10 is shaken in the washing liquid, thereby reliably separating dirt and other contaminants from the food. 3. In this embodiment, the basket moving means 5 allows the washing basket 10 to be freely moved from the loading conveyor 3 to the washing tank 2 and from the washing tank 2 to the unloading conveyor 4 by engaging the handle hole 11 of the washing basket 10 with the hook portion 51. 4. By removing floating particles that have risen to the surface of the washing solution using the floating particle removal plate 7, it is possible to prevent floating particles such as dirt in the washing solution from adhering to food that has been washed or food that is yet to be washed. 5. By placing the washing basket 10 containing the ingredients onto the input conveyor 3, it is automatically washed and can be discharged by the output conveyor 4. 6. In this embodiment, since the loading conveyors 3 and unloading conveyors 4 of multiple food washing units 1 are arranged in a continuous manner, loading and unloading of washing baskets 10 becomes easy, and washing operations can be performed simultaneously in each food washing unit 1.

[0064] It should be noted that the food washing unit and food washing apparatus using the same according to the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described above and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the food to be washed is not limited to scallop adductor muscles, but may be appropriately selected from other seafood, vegetables, meat, etc. that require washing. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0065] 100 Food Washing Devices 1. Food washing unit 2. Washing tank 3. Incoming conveyor 4. Discharge conveyor 5. Basket transportation methods 6. Cleaning means 7. Floating debris removal plate 10 Washing baskets 11 handle holes 12 Handle 51 Hook section 52 Hook movement part 61 Basket holding frame 62 Frame oscillating part 101 Loading platform 511 Vertical section 512 Horizontal section 513 Reply 521 Hook support member 522 Left and right drive unit 523 Up / Down Drive Unit 524 Front and rear drive unit

Claims

1. A food washing unit that washes food placed in a washing basket, A cleaning tank filled with cleaning solution, A conveyor belt is installed on the front side of the aforementioned washing tank, A discharge conveyor installed on the rear side of the washing tank, A basket moving means for moving the washing basket, which has been transported by the loading conveyor to the front position of the washing tank, into the washing tank, and for moving the washed washing basket from inside the washing tank onto the unloading conveyor, The system includes a washing means for washing the food ingredients by shaking the washing basket, which has been moved into the washing tank, in the washing liquid. The cleaning means is A basket holding frame formed in a frame shape, which holds multiple washing baskets that have been lowered into the washing tank by the basket moving means, arranged side by side and fitted into the frame, A frame swinging mechanism that swings the basket holding frame in at least one of the forward / backward and left / right directions, The food washing unit having the above-mentioned features.

2. The basket moving mechanism comprises three or more hooks that engage with handle holes formed on the left and right sides of the washing basket, and a hook moving mechanism that moves the hooks in the left-right, up-down, and front-back directions. The food washing unit according to claim 1, wherein each of the aforementioned hook portions is arranged in a horizontal direction at the same interval as the width of the washing basket, and the horizontal portion that is inserted into the handle hole of the washing basket is positioned so that it faces either the left or the right direction.

3. A food washing unit that washes food placed in a washing basket, A cleaning tank filled with cleaning solution, A conveyor belt is installed on the front side of the aforementioned washing tank, A discharge conveyor installed on the rear side of the washing tank, A basket moving means for moving the washing basket, which has been transported by the loading conveyor to the front position of the washing tank, into the washing tank, and for moving the washed washing basket from inside the washing tank onto the unloading conveyor, The system includes a washing means for washing the food ingredients by shaking the washing basket, which has been moved into the washing tank, in the washing liquid. The basket moving mechanism includes a hook portion that engages with handle holes formed on the left and right sides of the washing basket, and a hook moving portion that moves the hook portion in the left-right, up-down, and front-back directions, The food washing unit has a floating object removal plate that is suspended from the hook moving part across the left and right sides of the washing tank and moves to the front and rear ends of the washing tank to remove floating objects on the washing liquid by sweeping them out of the washing tank.

4. A food washing apparatus comprising a plurality of food washing units according to any one of claims 1 to 3, arranged side by side in the left-right direction, with the input conveyor positioned on the front side of the food washing units and the output conveyor positioned on the rear side of the food washing units.

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