AU604248B2

AU604248B2 - A soaked grain handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU604248B2
Application number: AU75968/87A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Richard Stanley Michael Fenton; John Maxwell Stevenson
Original assignee: ELECTRICAL CONTROL SYSTEMS Ltd
Current assignee: ELECTRICAL CONTROL SYSTEMS Ltd
Priority date: 1986-07-22
Filing date: 1987-07-21
Publication date: 1990-12-13
Anticipated expiration: 2007-07-21
Also published as: GB2192780A; GB8717375D0; AU7596887A; NZ216934A

Description

S F Ref: 32782 FORM COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION I

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FOR OFFICE USE: t Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Class Int Class This documcnt contln l the aendmln;ts madi under| Sec'ti'i 49 arnd is CCTI;Cr ftur printiig.

Priority: Related Art: Name and Address of Applicant: Address for Service: Electrical Control Systems Limited 47 Shakespeare Road Christchurch NEW ZEALAND Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Complete Specification for the invention entitled: A soaked grain handling apparatus The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us i r 5845/5 2 The invention comprises a soaked grain handling apparatus for use in a bakery or the like.

In the production of whole meal and rye breads, whole grains and rye and the like (herein referred to collectively as "grain") are added and mixed into the dough prior to forming of the dough into individual units for baking. The grain must generally be soaked in water for a period of up to a number of hours or more prior to addition to the dough. Typically the grain is soaked in large containers or tubs of water into which the grain is placed, with the tubs subsequently being manhandled to enable the grain to be removed for use. This is cumbersome and time consuming and moreover dangerous, as in lifting the relatively large tubs of grain and water accidents can occur. In addition the tubs take a not insignificant amount of floor space during soaking of the r grain.

The invention provides a soaked grain handling apparatus.

In broad terms the invention may be said to comprise a soaked grain handling apparatus comprising: a vessel adapted to contain quantities of grain and of water for soaking of said grain, -3means for delivering grain into said vessel via a grain inlet thereof, means for delivering water into said vessel via a water inlet thereof, means for moving said grain in said water during soaking of said grain in said vessel by raising the grain from the lower parts of the vessel to the upper parts of the vessel, and an outlet delivery means including a worm conveyor at least partially oepn to a soaked grain outlet of said vessel whereby grain is entered to said worm conveyor from said vessel by gravity feed, and adapted and operable by way of a control means to cause said worm conveyor to deliver measured quantities of soaked grain through a grain delivery pipe from said vessel for addition to dough.

Preferably the apparatus of the invention includes means for moving the grain in the water during soaking in the vessel, to prevent bulking together of individual grains.

A preferred form of soaked grain handling apparatus of the invention is illustrated in the 4 4 accompanying drawing, which is a side elevation of the preferred form apparatus.

The preferred form apparatus is described herein by way of example, and the scope of the invention is defined in the following claims.

Reference numeral 1 in the drawing generally indicates the vessel of the preferred form apparatus, for containing grain and water during soaking. In the preferred form the vessel 1 is a closed vessel and is generally in the shape of an upstanding truncated cone as shown, and is supported by support means in the form of a support frame comprising legs 2 which mou,t the vessel above a platform 3. The volume of the vessel 1 in any case will be dependent upon the size of the bakery or the like for which any particular soaked grain handling apparatus is intended. Typical volumes lie in the range 1000 to 15000 litr(-, but any other volume suitable for any particular application is possible. In addition, shapes for the vessel other than a cone or truncated cone shape may be employed in any particular application.

The vessel 1 comprises outlet delivery means for delivering quantities of soaked grain from the vessel, from a soaked grain outlet thereof. Typically the soaked grain is delivered over a grain delivery pipe ri I: f gr/421r 5 or the like such as that indicated at 5 in the drawing, to the next stage in a bakery for mixing with dough for V example. Preferably the outlet from the vessel for soaked grain is provided towards the bottom of the K vessel so that grain is fed to the outlet delivery means by gravity feed, but it is within the scope of the invention for the soaked grain outlet to be provided at some other point and for the grain to be removed from the vessel by way of a suitable pump arrangement or the 0 like. In the preferred form shown the soaked grain outlet is provided at the base of the truncated cone shaped vessel 1 and the outlet delivery means comprises worm type conveying means generally indicated at 4, which when operated delivers grain from the grain outlet over the pipe 5. Any suitable form of worm conveying means or other type of conveying means may be employed.

In the preferred form shown the worm conveying means comprises a first worm conveyor positioned at 4a the flights of which are partially open to the soaked grain S2c outlet from the vessel 1 so that grain will be entered by gravity feed into the worm 4a from the vessel, and a SL helical screw pump positioned at 4b which follows the first worm conveyor so that it is in series therewith.

By 'helical screw pump' is meant a pump which falls within the general category of worm conveying means to the extent that it comprises a central worm like rotor but which additionally comprises an appropriately shaped flexible stator encircling the rotor. In use the first -6worm 4a will tend to collect grain under gravity feed from the grain outlet and act to charge same to the inlet side of the helical screw pump 4b. The helical screw pump will act to more effectively deliver a regular supply of soaked grain over the outlet pipe than would a single continuous worm, although a single continuous worm or any other form of outlet delivery means that will effectively deliver grain from the vessel may be employed in any particular application.

In the preferred form apparatus soaked grain is delivered from the outlet delivery means via the pipe through a T-valve 6 which is switchable either for final delivery of soaked grain over the pipe 5 or to recycle the grain through a recycle inlet into the top C of the vessel, as will be referred to further. When the T-valve 6 is operated to recycle grain and the outlet delivery means is operated to deliver grain over the pipe 5, grain will be taken from towards the bottom of the vessel 1 recycled through the valve 6 to towards the i top of the vessel.

-i 20 Preferably apparatus in accordance with the invention includes means for moving the grain in the water during soaking of same in the vessel. This could comprise any suitable form of stirrer, agitator or other means for moving grain provided within the vessel i, comprising vanes, fingers or the like, to prevent 7 bulking together of individual grains, but in the preferred form apparatus comprises a worm conveyor 7 extending between the bottom and the top of the vessel 1 which is arranged to move grain upwardly within the vessel. The worm journalled for rotation at its lower end in a mounting 8 comprising struts extending from the internal sides of the vessel and supporting a bearing centrally within the bottom of the vessel as shown, and at the top of the vessel by way of a suitable Sarrangement of drive motor 9, such as an electric motor, "o 0 for the worm 7. In the preferred form apparatus the i o .0 o' worm conveyor 7 does not comprise an external tube "within which the worm operates and the worm itself is open. In use, the "concentration" of grain in water in to the vessel is typically such that the mixture forms a o relatively solid mass so that the worm 7 may effectively 00"' c act to lift grain from towards the bottom of the vessel to towards the top to a degree sufficient to cause the Srequired moving/stirring of the grain. The preferred S =2 form apparatus includes subsidiary stirring vanes ic below the worm 7 as shown, which rotate with the worm 7 f to minimise bulking/clogging of grains towards the bottom of the vessel.

Preferably apparatus in accordance with the invention includes means for delivering grain into the vessel and means for delivering water into the vessel, although it is within the scope of the invention for the 27 8 4,,

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4 Ct ~Ct vessel to be open at it's top whereby grain may simply be poured from sacks into the vessel for example, and water may be delivered into the vessel via a hose or the like. In the preferred form means for delivering grain into the vessel via a grain inlet provided at the top of the vessel comprises a worm conveyor 11 arranged to deliver quantities of grain into the vessel from a hopper 12 positioned adjacent the platform 3, which acts as a bulk grain supply. In use grain may be tipped from \o sacks, for example, into the hopper. The hopper is open at it's base to the conveyor 11 which, when operating, withdraws grain from the hopper, conveys it upwardly and delivers it into the vessel 1 through the grain inlet thereof. Any other means for delivering grain into the vessel may be employed. For example, a pneumatic grain conveying system for flowing grain into the vessel is one alternative to the preferred form worm conveyor.

The preferred form apparatus is intended to be supplied with water from a pressure supply of water and comprises 2o a water coupling 12 to the vessel 1 including a water control valve 13, which typically might be remotely operated through a solenoid or the like for example, which is connectable to a pressure supply of water such as the water mains. Water may be delivered directly into the interior of the vessel from the water inlet or via a rotating spray head, for example, mounted within the upper portion of the interior of the vessel.

r: 9 In use of the apparatus of the invention grain and water are entered into the vessel and allowed to soak for the desired period, which might be twelve hours for example, after which the outlet delivery means may be operated to deliver soaked grain to thu next baking stage. In the preferred form apparatus the grain conveyor 11 and water valve 13 are operated to deliver grain and water into the vessel 1 and the grain is then allowed to soak within the vessel for the desired period. During soaking the grain moving worm 7 may be operated continuously or at periodic intervals to move the grain within the vessel and to assist proper mixing of different grain types. During soaking there may be a period of recycling of grain through the pipe via the outlet delivery worm/pump 4 means to further ensure thorough mixing and breaking up of individual grains.

This "wet blend" may suitably be carried out immediately prior to final delivery nf the grain, for between 20 and minutes for example. When grain is to be finally delivered for uce the valve 6 is operated so that grain removed the from vessel 1 via worm/pump 4 will be delivered from the outlet pipe 16.

Preferably grain soaking and soaked grain handling apparatus in accordance with the invention comprises a control system for automated or semi-automated operation.

The control system may control from a common control means the grain conveyor 11 for delivery of grain to the vessel

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10 and the water control valve 13 and the outlet delivery worm/pump 4, in the preferred form apparatus for example, and preferably also the grain moving worm 7. The control means might comprise a programmable microprocessor or the like controlling the drive motors for each of the worms 4 and 7 and controlling via a solenoid the water valve and having indicated thereto the weight of the vessel 1 and contents via load cells by which the vessel is supported, so that the control system may be programmed to control any one 7 or more of the initial delivery of grain and water to the soaking vessel and the initiation thereof and the quantities delivered, the soaking residence time of the grain in the vessel and the stirring thereof whether continuously or at periodic intervals, the recycling of grain from the bottom Vc to the top of the vessel and the delivery, perhaps in measured quantities, of grain from the vessel when soaking is complete. In the preferred form apparatus the platform 3 is supported from the ground via a stand frame 14 and load cells 15 are interposed between the stand frame 14 and the platform 3 on which the vessel 4 is mounted. The control system determines the quantity of grain/water delivered into/from the vessel by reference to the weight of the vessel prior to commencement of delivery and as grain/water is delivered into/from the vessel. The control system operates to initially cause operation of the water inlet valve and conveyor 11 at some predetermined time to deliver water and grain to the vessel.

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rtn~ e During this period the control system may cause operation of the worm 7. The control system causes water and grain to be delivered into the vessel 1 at predetermined respective rates until the signal received from the load cells 14 indicates that the vessel 1 contains the desired quantity of water and grain. The control system may cause the worm 7 to operate during soaking as desired, and the outlet worm/pump 4 and recycle valve 6 to operate to effect the wet blend as referred to earlier. The control system operates at soak end to change over the valve 6 and operate the worm/pump 4 to deliver grain from the outlet pipe 5 of the apparatus. The control system may cause the worm/pump 4 to deliver measured qaantities of grain by causing the worm/pump 11 to operate for predetermined periods at intervals, the worm/pump 4 having a known and constant grain delivery rate. At the end of a production cycle the control system may automatically initiate cleaning of the hopper, pump and pipe work.

The foregoing describes the invention including the preferred form thereof and it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various other configurations of apparatus within the scope of the invention are possible.

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Claims

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim i, wherein said means for deliverinig grain into said vessel comprises a grain conveying means arranged to deliver quantities of grain into said vessel from a bulk grain supply.
3. An apparatus as 1-laimed in claim 2, wherein said grain conveying means comprises a worm conveyor.
4. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said means for delivering water into said vessel comprises means connectable to a pressure supply of water and arranged to control the flow of water into said vessel from said supply. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to wherein said means for moving said grain in said water during soaking comprises a worm conveyor extending between the bottom and the top of said vessel.
6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said soaked grain outlet is provided towards the bottom of said vessel and said outlet delivery means is operable to recycle grain from towards the bottom of said vessel to towards the top of said vessel via a recycle inlet for said grain at or towards the top of said vessel. 14 14
7. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said worm conveyor comprises a first worm followed by a helical screw pump in series with said first worm whereby said first worm is arranged to charge grain from said soaked grain outlet to said helical screw pump.
8. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said means for delivering grain into said vessel, and said means for delivery of water into I C 2 c said vessel are also controllable from said control means to deliver measured quantities of grain and water into said ,44 vessel.
9. An apparatus as claimed in claim'8, wherein said common control means is arranged to determine the quantity of grain and/or water delivered into said vessel by reference to the weight of said vessel and the contents thereof at the commencement of and during delivery of same into said vessel. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, including support means for said vessel whereby said vessel is supported via electrical load cells for indicating to said common control means the weight at any time of said vessel and the contents thereof. "K f r t A r 'Kg3-- Ii
11. An apparatus as claimed in either of claims 9 and 10, wherein said common control means comprises programmable control means whereby said control means is programmable to deliver predetermined quantities of grain/water into/from said apparatus.
12. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein said common control means is additionally arranged to control said means for moving said grain in said water during soaking. C C
13. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said vessel is substantially in the form of an upstanding truncated cone comprising said soaked grain et outlet to said outlet delivery means at or towards the bottom of said cone.
14. A grain soaking and soaked grain handling apparatus, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing. 4 DATED this TWENTY-THIRD day of AUGUST 1990 Electrical Control System Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON GNT l. s 9w