FR2508763A1 - Bell-jar for germinating seeds - rests on tray partially filled with water and supports stack of germination dishes - Google Patents

Abstract

The germinating unit comprises an opaque bell jar (10) with an opening in the upper part which can be closed by a removable cap (13). The bell rests on a base (1) which is partially filled with water in which a tray (3) of seeds is immersed. A series of trays (6-8) rest on top of the lower tray and these are protected by the jar. The base is in contact with a heating unit (16) which creates a humid environment within the jar, suitable for seed germination.

Description

 The invention relates to a household appliance for the accelerated germination of cereals.

 Appliances for household use are already known which receive cereals and condition them to accelerate the development of germs which can advantageously constitute at least a substantial part of human food.

 One of these known devices consists of a cup supporting a stack of cups of transparent plastic material, the bottom of which is perforated to evacuate the irrigation water which is collected in the base cup. With this device, in order to start the germination process, the cereals are first of all soaked in the water of the basic cut for about a day. Then in order to continue the development of the germs, the cereals are placed in an upper dish where after about three days a harvest of germs can be harvested.

 The conditions favorable to the germination of cereals being close to those which they meet in the ground this known apparatus could not be appropriate.

 Indeed, the said conditions are total darkness, a certain ventilation, a high humidity especially at the start then lower, a constant temperature of the order of twenty degrees.

 However, the transparency of the cups and the opening of the upper cup mean that the cereals are not in the dark, which therefore delays their germination. In addition, cereals are not protected from dust which can affect the quality of the germs harvested.

To remedy this, another device is known to date. On the one hand, it comprises a deep plate or a container partially filled with water into which a first dish with a perforated bottom plunges, in turn supporting at least one other dish with a perforated bottom, but also a lid forming the upper dish for the '' house
dust and of the day and, on the other hand, its cups which are opaque and made of quality terracotta which, during soaking, absorbs water to then return it to cereals during their second phase of germination. While it guarantees that the grains will be well in the dark, this moisture-retaining material unfortunately has the disadvantage of favoring the appearance of mold.

 Furthermore, with these different devices, an essential condition for germination is never fulfilled by the device itself.

 This is to keep the grain at the right temperature and, therefore, the user must search in his house where the temperature will be closest.

 In addition to the fact that the ideal place for temperature does not necessarily allow the device to be exposed to it, cereals generally undergo very large temperature variations, for example, between day and night and / or depending on the periods of room heating.

 Finally, a large part of the water in the lower tank which, all around the lower cup, remains in the open air, remains exposed to dust and, evaporating, requires monitoring of its level and frequent additions or additions. .

 A result which the invention aims to obtain is a germination device protecting the cereals from light and dust, giving them a certain ventilation, guaranteeing them at the start a certain high humidity then a lower humidity and finally their ensuring a constant temperature, while keeping the cereals safe from mold.

 For this purpose the invention relates to a germination device of the type mentioned above, in particular characterized in that around the water of the immersion tank and the cups is placed a bell made of opaque material and of sufficient height to accommodate and house the cups.

 The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description given below, by way of nonlimiting example, which schematically represents the device seen in section.

 Referring to the drawing, it can be seen that the apparatus comprises a tank 1 at least partially filled with water 2 with a view to the immersion of a cup 3 and cereals 4 placed on its bottom 5 which is perforated.

 Above this submerged cup 3 is placed at least one other cup 6, 7, 8, 9 similar to the first cup 3.

 According to an essential characteristic of the invention, around the water of the immersion tank 1 and of the cups 3 to 9 is, in a relatively sealed manner, placed a bell 10 made of opaque material and of sufficient height to accommodate and shelter the cups 3 at 9.

 Preferably, the bell bears on the upper edge of the side wall of the immersion tank.

 Thanks to this bell 10, the water vapors produced at the level of the immersion tank are retained in the apparatus where they rise through the cereals maintaining a humid heat favorable to the early development of germs 11.

 According to another essential characteristic of the invention, near its top, the bell has a small orifice 12, in the form of a neck, with which a removable plug 13 cooperates allowing ventilation and / or watering without having to remove it. the bell.

 According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the bottom 14 of the immersion tank is in contact with a heating means 15 provided with a means 16 for regulating the temperature so that it remains constant. For example, the temperature of the water can be adjusted to a temperature of around twenty degrees and that of the air to a temperature of around thirty five or forty degrees.

 This device makes it possible to produce the germs according to the conventional technique comprising, first of all, soaking in the lower tank of the cup supplied with new seeds then replacement by another cup and transfer of the replaced cup to an upper stage.

 The upper cups are interposed according to the choice of seeds, the desire for production and consumption.

 On the other hand, thanks to the particularities of the apparatus according to the invention, and in particular to the regularity and the precision of the temperature, the harvesting is done much more quickly.

 Nutrients such as alfalfa extract or seaweed can obviously be added to the soaking and sprinkling water to enrich the production of germs.

 This device can, of course, be made of any opaque material but also non-porous so as not to retain moisture and, for example, it will be made of lacquered metal or of food-grade plastic.

Claims (4)

 1. Household appliance for the accelerated germination of cereals, comprising, on the one hand, intended to be at least partially filled with water (2), an immersion tank (1) in which a dish (3) is immersed, the bottom (5), which is perforated, is capable of supporting cereals (4) and, on the other hand superimposed on the submerged cup (3), at least one other cup (6, 7, 8, 9) similar to the first (3), this device is CHARACTERIZED in that around the water of the immersion tank (1) and the cups (3 to 9), is placed a bell (10) of opaque material and of sufficient height to house and shelter the cups (3 to 9).  2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the bell (10) has, near its top, a small orifice (12) with which cooperates a removable plug (13).  3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bell (10) bears on the upper edge of the side wall of the immersion tank (1).  4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the bottom of the immersion tank (1) is in contact with a heating means (15) provided with means (16) for precise regulation of the temperature.