DK178721B1

DK178721B1 - Sprout Device

Info

Publication number: DK178721B1
Application number: DKPA201500558A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Ole Mathias Klemmensen
Original assignee: Spirebakken Aps
Priority date: 2015-09-24
Filing date: 2015-09-24
Publication date: 2016-12-05
Also published as: DK201500558A1

Abstract

A sprout device for growing sprouts is disclosed. The sprout device comprises a receptacle configured to contain seeds and having at least one opening for allowing water to enter the receptacle. The receptacle is a bag provided with a plurality of evenly distributed perforations throughout allowing water to be effectively drained.

Description

Sprout Device and a method for growing sprouts from seeds

Field of invention

The present invention relates to a sprout device for growing sprouts. The present invention more particularly relates to sprout device for growing sprouts, in a manner in which the risk of mould and bacteria growth is reduced.

Prior art

Sprouts are a common ingredient, especially in Eastern Asian cuisine and in modern healthy meals, made from e.g. sprouting beans. Sprouts are popular due to the fact that sprouts e.g. from beans are more nutritious than the original beans and they require much less cooking time and, hence, less fuel. CN 104170707 A relates to a bag for growing sprouts. The bag has 40-200 perforations having a size of 1 mm. Half of the perforations are provided at the bottom of the bag, whereas the other half are provided at the one side of the bag. CN 103380723 A relates to a method for growing sprouts. In the method, a bag is used. The bag is provided with a handle for hanging the bag to drain excess water. The bag has 5-200, preferably 10-20, perforations located at the bottom part of the bag as well as 5-200, preferably 10-20, perforations located at the one side of the bag. Furthermore, the bag has areas with no perforations.

Sprout is typically made from green beans, yellow beans or larger-grained soy beans. It normally takes one week for them to be completely grown. Due to transportation and storing issues, it is difficult to deliver fresh sprouts to the costumers.

Therefore, it would be desirable to have an alternative way of making it possible for the costumers to have fresh sprouts.

Moreover, commercially grown sprouts have been associated with multiple outbreaks of harmful bacteria, including salmonella and toxic forms of Escherichia coli. These infections, however, often result from contaminated seeds or of unhygienic production with high microbial counts.

However, sprout seeds can also become contaminated during transportation, storage or in the fields where they are grown.

Thus, there is a need for a method and a device which reduces or even eliminates the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

It would be desirable to provide a sprout device for growing sprouts in a manner in which the risk of mould and bacteria growth is reduced.

It is an object of the invention to provide a sprout device making it possible for the costumers to have fresh sprouts in a manner in which the risk of mould and bacteria growth can be reduced.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention can be achieved by a device as having the features as defined in claim 1 and by a method as defined in claim 9. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent sub claims, explained in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The sprout device according to the invention is a sprout device for growing sprouts, wherein the sprout device comprises a receptacle configured to contain seeds and having at least one opening for allowing water to enter the receptacle, wherein the receptacle is a bag provided with a plurality of evenly distributed perforations throughout the bag.

Hereby, water can easily enter the bag through the perforations. Furthermore, water in the bag can be drained through the perforations in the lower portion of the bag so that the seeds and the bag can be dried in order to prevent mould and bacteria growth. The bag can be rinsed under running water whenever required.

The sprout device according to the invention is a sprout device for growing sprouts. The seeds used for growing sprouts may in principle be any suitable kinds of seeds including bean, lentil, pea, rapeseed or a combination thereof.

The sprout device comprises a receptacle configured to contain seeds and having at least one opening for allowing water to enter the receptacle, wherein the receptacle is a bag provided with a plurality of evenly distributed perforations throughout the bag.

Hereby, the water can easily enter the bag through the perforations and water in the bag can be drained through the perforations in the lower portion of the bag so that the seeds and the bag can be dried and kept dry in order to prevent mould and bacteria growth.

The perforations are preferably shaped as small apertures sized to allow the water to enter the bag and at the same time prevent the seeds in the bag from passing through the perforations. The perforations may, by way of example be 1-mm circular apertures.

The size of the perforations may be selected to meet specific requirements. Small seeds require the perforations to be smaller than larger seeds in order to prevent the seeds in the bag from passing through the perforations. Accordingly, larger perforations are allowable when larger seeds are contained by the perforated bag.

The bag may be produced in any suitable material having any desirable colour. It is possible to produce the bag in a perforated foil material. The foil material may e.g. be blue. Hereby, the visual detection of a piece of the bag that has been detached from the bag is eased.

The bag may be manufactured in a transparent material for allowing visual inspection of the seeds.

It is particularly advantageous that the bag is a perforated bag containing a first volume of dry seeds, wherein the volume of the bag is sufficiently large to hold the seeds when they have grown to sprouts.

Hereby, there bag is large enough to allow for the sprouts to be grown from the seeds in the bag.

It may be beneficial that the sprout device comprises a tray configured to receive the bag, wherein the sprout device comprises a bottom plate provided with a plurality of cavities configured to collect water dripping off the bag.

Hereby, the tray can be used to collect the water from the bag. Accordingly, the dripping water can be collected in the tray. The tray can be emptied when it is full or when the bag is no longer dripping.

It may be an advantage that the bottom plate is provided with a flat back side configured to rest on a plane supporting surface such as a table. The flat back side may be provided with protruding feet to engage with the supporting surface.

It may be an advantage that the tray comprises a wall structure and/or edge, arranged and adapted to allow water drops to drip off the tray.

Hereby, the tray can easily and effectively be emptied.

It may be beneficial that the wall structure protrudes from the bottom plate of the tray. Hereby, the bottom plate and the wall structures define a space configured to receive the bag and to hold water. Accordingly, the tray can be used to "bath" the seeds in the bag e.g. during cleaning/purifying the seeds.

It may be advantageous that the bottom plate is provided with a plurality of protrusions protruding from the bottom plate.

Hereby, the protrusions can support the bag and hereby establish an air-filled space that secures that the lower side of the bag can dry.

It is of great importance that the sprouts can be kept dry in order to prevent bacteria growth.

It may be beneficial that the bag is provided with a zipper configured to be opened and closed.

Hereby, it is possible to individually fill the bag with e.g. an individually selected mix of seeds. It is preferred that the bag is a disposable bag that is thrown away after use.

It is, however, possible to produce the bag in a heat resistant plastic material for the purpose of reusing the bag. When the sprouts are removed from the bag, the bag can be cleaned and filled with new seeds. Thus, the bag can be used several times and for several different types of seeds.

The zipper may preferably extend along the whole width or length of the bag.

Hereby, good access to the bag can be achieved.

The zipper may extend parallel to the side portion of the bag, preferably near the periphery of the bag.

It may be an advantage that the zipper is configured to be opened and sealingly closed. Hereby, no seeds will fall out through the zipper.

The bag may comprise a first side and a second side joined by a first seam, whereas in the opposite end of the bag a zipper is provided. The seams may be provided by ultrasonic welding by way of example.

It may be beneficial that the bag is encased in a hermetically sealed outer bag.

Hereby, the seeds in the bag can be kept dry and, furthermore, the bag containing seeds can be protected from the surroundings.

It may be an advantage that the sprout device comprises a bag and a tray encased in a hermetically sealed outer bag.

Hereby, the sprout device (both the bag and the tray) can be protected by an outer bag that is configured to keep the sprout device hermetically sealed and protected from the surroundings. Accordingly, the user of the sprout device only needs to open the outer bag and take out the tray containing the bag to get started to grow sprouts.

The method according to the invention is a method for growing sprouts from seeds, wherein the method comprises the following steps: - adding water to a perforated bag comprising seeds; - placing the perforated bag in a tray having a bottom plate provided with cavities configured to collect water dripping off the bag.

Hereby, water can easily enter the bag through the perforations.

Furthermore, water in the bag can be drained through the perforations in the lower portion of the bag so that the seeds and the bag can be dried in order to prevent mould and bacteria growth.

It may be advantageous that the method comprises the following step: - drying the bag by arranging the bag in a tray provided with a plurality of protrusions protruding from the bottom plate of the tray.

Hereby the protrusions protruding from the bottom plate can establish an air-filled space under the bag so that the lower side of the bag can be effectively dried out. This is essential since it is of great importance that the sprouts are kept dry in order to prevent harmful bacteria growth, including salmonella and toxic forms of Escherichia coli.

Description of the Drawings

The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below. The accompanying drawings are given by way of illustration of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1A shows a cross-sectional view of a sprout device according to the invention arranged in an outer bag;

Fig. IB shows a cross-sectional view of the sprout device shown in Fig. 1A;

Fig. 2A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a perforated bag of a sprout device according to the invention being rinsed under a running tap;

Fig. 2B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a sprout device according to the invention partly covered with water;

Fig. 2C shows a schematic view of water being poured out of the water-filled sprout device shown in Fig. 2B;

Fig. 2D shows a schematic view of the sprout device shown in Fig. 2B and Fig. 2 C in a configuration in which the water is being drained off;

Fig. 3A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a bag of a sprout device according to the invention comprising dry bean seeds;

Fig. 3B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the bag shown in Fig. 3A, wherein the bean seeds are wet and have absorbed water;

Fig. 3C shows a schematic front view of a bag of a sprout device according to the invention comprising dry seeds;

Fig. 3D shows a schematic front view of the bag shown in Fig. 3C, wherein the seeds are wet and have absorbed water;

Fig. 4A shows a perspective view of a tray of a sprout device according to the invention;

Fig. 4B shows a top view of a perforated bag of a sprout device according to the invention;

Fig. 5A shows a perspective view of a tray of a sprout device according to the invention and

Fig. 5B shows a top view of a perforated bag of a sprout device according to the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

Referring now in detail to the drawings for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention, a sprout device 2 of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 1A.

Fig. 1A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a sprout device 2 according to the invention arranged in an outer bag 8. The sprout device 2 comprises a bag 6 provided with a plurality of perforations 12. The perforated bag 6 comprises a plurality of seeds 10 that are larger than the perforations 12. Accordingly, the seeds 12 cannot escape the perforated bag 6 as long as the bag 6 is kept closed. Water, however, can enter the bag 6 through the perforations 12 and be drained off the bag 6 through the perforations 12.

The bag 6 comprises a first bag portion and a second bag portion welded together by means of a first seam 16 and a second seam 16'. The first bag portion and a second bag portion may be joint by using ultrasonic welding or another technique (e.g. by means of glue or heat).

The bag 6 rests on a tray 4 having a bottom plate 24 and wall structures 22 protruding therefrom. The bottom plate 24 is provided with a flat back side. The inside of the bottom plate 24 is provided with a plurality of cavities 20 configured to collect water dripping off the bag 6. The inside of the bottom plate 24 is furthermore provided with a plurality of protrusions 18 protruding from the remaining portion of the bottom plate 24. The protrusions 18 are configured to support the bag 6 and hereby establish an air-filled space 28 that secures that the lower side of the bag 6 dries out. It is of great importance that the sprouts are kept dry in order to prevent harmful bacteria, including salmonella and toxic forms of Escherichia coli.

The sprout device 2 is protected by an outer bag 8 configured to keep the sprout device 2 hermetically sealed and protected from the surroundings.

Fig. IB illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sprout device 2 shown in Fig. 1A. The outer bag (shown in Fig. 1A), however, has been removed. Furthermore, the perforated bag 6 has been rinsed under running water and is arranged in the tray 4 for letting the water drops 26 drip off. The water drops will flow into the cavities 20 provided in the bottom plate 24 of the tray 4. The protrusions 18 supports the lower side of the bag 6 and hereby creates an air-filled space 28 allowing the wet lower side of the bag 6 to be ventilated.

Fig. 2A illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a perforated bag 6 of a sprout device 2 according to the invention being rinsed under a running tap (not shown).

The bag 6 is provided with perforations 12 shaped as small apertures sized to allow the water drops 26 to enter the bag 6 and at the same time prevent the seeds 10 in the bag 6 from passing through the perforations 12.

Fig. 2B illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a sprout device 2 according to the invention partly covered with water 30. The water level 32 is indicated. The sprout device 2 comprises a tray 4 having a bottom plate 24 provided with protrusions 18 and cavities 20. When the seeds 10 are covered with water 30, the seeds 10 are purified. The water 30 is preferably replaced with clean water 30 several times. Accordingly, the seeds 10 absorb only clean water 30.

Fig. 2C illustrates a schematic view of water 30 being poured out of the water-filled sprout device 2 shown in Fig. 2B. The bottom plate 24 of the tray 4 is angled relative to horizontal. The angle a between the bottom plate 24 and the horizontal direction is indicated and it can be seen that the angle a is approximately 45 degrees. Accordingly, the water 30 in the tray 4 will drip off as indicated by the water drops 26 dripping from the wall structure 22' of the tray 4. Eventually, almost all the water 30 in the bag 6 and in the tray 4 has been removed. The seeds 10 and the lower portion of the bag 6, however, will still be wet and needs to be dried in order to prevent mould and bacteria growth.

Fig. 2D illustrates a schematic view of the sprout device 2 shown in Fig. 2B and Fig. 2 C in a configuration in which the water is being drained. Water drops 26 drip from the bottom portion of the perforated bag 6 through perforations 12 provided in the bag 6.

The bottom plate 24 of the tray 4 is provided with cavities 20 and protrusions 18. The cavities 20 are configured to receive the water drops 26 dripping off the bag 6. The protrusions 18 are adapted to support the lower portion of the perforated bag 6 and hereby create an air-filled space 28 between the bottom plate 24 of the tray 4 and the bag 6. The air-filled space 28 allows the lower portion of the perforated bag 6 to be ventilated in order to prevent mould and bacteria growth.

The seeds 10 will start to grow sprouts that are more nutritious than the original seeds 10 and require much less cooking time and, therefore, less fuel.

Fig. 3A illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a bag 6 of a sprout device according to the invention comprising dry bean seed 10. It is important to underline that other types of seed 10 can be used. The seed 10 may be bean, lentil, pea, rapeseed or combination thereof by way of example.

When the seed 10 is kept dry, the seeds will only take up a minor portion of the volume of the bag 6. However, Fig. 3B illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of the bag shown in

Fig. 3A, wherein the bean seeds have grown into sprouts 10 that fill up a much larger volume of the bag 6. Water may enter the bag 6 through the perforations 12. Likewise, water may be removed from the bag 6 through the perforations 12.

Fig. 3C illustrates a schematic front view of a bag 6 of a sprout device according to the invention comprising dry seeds 10 provided in the lower portion of the bag 6. The bag 6 is provided with a plurality of perforations 12 shaped as small circular apertures. Since the seeds 10 are dry, their volume accounts for only about 20 % of the total volume of the bag 6.

Fig. 3D illustrates a schematic front view of the bag 6 shown in Fig. 3C, wherein the seeds have grown into sprout 10'. It can be seen that the bag 6 is provided with a plurality of small circular perforations 12. The volume of the sprouts 10' account for about 80 % of the total volume of the bag 6.

It is important that the volume of the bag 6 is sufficiently large to allow for the growth of the sprouts 10'. Therefore, depending on the type of seed, the volume of dry seed in a bag 6 must be selected in such a manner that the volume of the bag 6 is sufficiently large to hold grown sprouts 10'

Fig. 4A illustrates a perspective view of a tray 4 of a sprout device according to the invention. The tray 4 comprises a bottom plate provided with a plurality of box-shaped cavities 20. The box-shaped cavities 20 are distributed over the bottom plate. The bottom plate is provided with a large central protrusion 18' and a plurality of smaller protrusions 18. The protrusions 18, 18' are configured to provide an air-filled space between the bottom plate of the tray 4 and the bag supported by the protrusions 18, 18'. It is possible to have more of protrusions 18, 18' than the one shown.

The tray 4 comprises a wall structure 22 protruding from the bottom plate of the tray 4. An edge 34 extends along the distal portion of the wall structure 22.

Fig. 4B illustrates a top view of a perforated bag 6 of a sprout device according to the invention. The bag 6 comprises a plurality of perforations 12 formed as small apertures provided along lines extending parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the bag.

The bag 6 comprises a first side and a second side joint by a first seam 16' and a second seam 16, respectively. The seams 16, 16' may be provided by means of ultrasonic welding or gluing by way of example.

Fig. 5A illustrates a perspective view of a tray 4 of a sprout device according to the invention. The tray 4 has a bottom plate equipped with a plurality of elongated box-shaped cavities 20 extending along the width of the tray 4. The box-shaped cavities 20 are evenly distributed along the length of the bottom plate of the tray 4. The bottom plate is provided with a plurality of elongated box-shaped protrudings 18 extending along the width of the tray 4. The protrudings 18 are evenly distributed along the length of the bottom plate of the tray 4. A cavity 20 is provided between each set of adjacent protrudings 18. Likewise, a protruding 18 is provided between each set of adjacent cavities 20.

The protrusions 18 are configured to provide an air-filled space between the bottom plate of the tray 4 and the bag supported by the protrusions 18 in order to allow the lower side of the bag to be ventilated.

Fig. 5B shows a top view of a perforated bag of a sprout device according to the invention. The bag 6 comprises a plurality of perforations 12 formed as small circular shaped apertures provided along lines extending parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the bag.

The bag 6 comprises a first side and a second side joined by a first seam 16. In the opposite end of the bag 6, a zipper 36 is provided. The zipper 36 is configured to be opened and sealingly closed.

Hereby, it is possible to empty the perforated bag 6 and reuse it. The bag can be cleaned and fill up with new seeds when emptied. Thus, the bag 6 can be used several times and for several different types of seeds.

List of reference numerals 2 Sprout device 4 Tray 6 Bag 8 Outer bag 10 Seed 10' Sprout 12 Perforation 14, 14' Seam 16, 16' Seam 18, 18' Protrusion 20 Cavity 22, 22' Wall structure 24 Bottom plate 26 Drop 28 Space 30 Water 32 Water level 34 Edge 36 Zipper X Longitudinal axis a Angle

Claims

A sprout (2) for growing sprouts (10 '), said sprout (2) comprising a container (6) designed to contain seeds (10) and having at least one opening (12) through which water can penetrate into the container (6), characterized in that the container (6) is a bag (6) provided with several evenly distributed perforations (12) over the entire bag.

A sprouting device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the bag (6) is a perforated bag (6) with a first volume of dry sprouts (10), the volume of the bag being large enough to contain the seeds (10), when they have sprouted (10 ') ·

A sprouting device (2) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the sprouting device (2) comprises a tray (4) designed to receive the bag (6), wherein the sprouting device (2) comprises a base plate (24) equipped with a plurality of voids (20) designed to collect water (30, 26) dripping from the bag (6).

A sprinkler device (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that the tray (4) comprises a wall structure (22, 22 ') and / or an edge (34), arranged and adapted to drop water drops (26) from the tray. (4).

A sprayer (2) according to claim 3 or claim 4, characterized in that the base plate (24) is provided with a plurality of projections (18, 18 ') protruding from the base plate (24).

A sprouting device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bag (6) is equipped with a zipper (36) designed for opening and closing.

A sprouting device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bag (6) is wrapped in a hermetically sealed outer bag (9).

A sprouting device (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that the sprouting device (2) comprises a bag (6) and a tray (4) wrapped in a hermetically sealed outer bag (9).

A method of germinating seeds (10 ') from seeds (10), the method comprising the steps of: - supplying water to a perforated bag (6) containing seeds (10); - placing the bag (6) equipped with several evenly spaced perforations throughout the bag in a tray (4) with a bottom plate (24) equipped with cavities (20) designed for collecting water (26) dripping from the bag (6) .

A method according to claim 9, wherein the method comprises the following steps: - drying the bag (6) by arranging the bag (6) in a tray (4) equipped with a plurality of projections (18, 18 ') protruding from the base plate (24) in the tray (4).