GB2192780A - A soaked grain handling apparatus - Google Patents
A soaked grain handling apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2192780A GB2192780A GB08717375A GB8717375A GB2192780A GB 2192780 A GB2192780 A GB 2192780A GB 08717375 A GB08717375 A GB 08717375A GB 8717375 A GB8717375 A GB 8717375A GB 2192780 A GB2192780 A GB 2192780A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- grain
- vessel
- soaked
- handling apparatus
- water
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B02—CRUSHING, PULVERISING, OR DISINTEGRATING; PREPARATORY TREATMENT OF GRAIN FOR MILLING
- B02B—PREPARING GRAIN FOR MILLING; REFINING GRANULAR FRUIT TO COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS BY WORKING THE SURFACE
- B02B1/00—Preparing grain for milling or like processes
- B02B1/04—Wet treatment, e.g. washing, wetting, softening
Landscapes
- Cereal-Derived Products (AREA)
Abstract
A soaked grain handling apparatus comprises a vessel 1 mounted above a platform 3 by means of legs 2. Soaked grain is delivered from the vessel by a worm conveyor 4, pipe 5 and T-valve 6. A further worm conveyor 7 has a vertical axis and operates within the cavity of vessel 1 to prevent bulking of the granular material. This is supplemented by operation of stirring vanes 10. Grain in a hopper 12 adjacent platform 3 is conveyed to the top of vessel 1 by a third worm conveyor 11. A water coupling supplies water to vessel 1 via control valve 13. A control system comprising a microprocessor controls input to and output from the vessel 1 as well as operation of motors driving worms 4 and 7. Platform 3 may be supported by means comprising load cells 15 providing indication of the weight of the vessel and its contents. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
A soaked grain handling apparatus
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 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 and an outlet delivery means adapted and operable to deliver quantities of soaked grain from said vessel via a soaked grain outlet of said vessel for addition to dough.
Preferably the apparatus of the invention includes means for delivering grain into said vessel via a grain inlet thereof, such as a suitably configured conveyor for conveying grain into the vessel from a bulk supply, and means for delivering water into said vessel via a water inlet thereof.
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.
Preferably each of said means for delivering grain into said vessel, said means for delivery of water into said vessel, and said outlet delivery means from said vessel are controllable to deliver measured quantities of grain/water into/from said vessel from a common control means. This common control means may be 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.
A preferred form of soaked grain handling apparatus of the invention is illustrated in the 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 mount the vessel above a platform 3.
The volume of the vessel 1 in any case will be dependant 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 litres, 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 or the like such as that indicated at 5 in the drawing, to the next stage in a bakery for mixing with dough for example. Preferably the outlet from the vessel for soaked grain is provided towards the bottom of the 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 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 outlet from the vessel 1 so that grain will be entered by gravity feed into the worm 4a from the vessel, and a 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 worm 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 5 than would a single continuous worm, although a
single continuous worm or any other form of
outlet delivery means that will effectively de
liver 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 5 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 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 de
liver grain over the pipe 5, grain will be taken
from towards the bottom of the vessel 1 re
cycled through the valve 6 to towards the top
of the vessel.
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 1, comprising
vanes, fingers or the like, to prevent bulking
together of individual grains, but in the pre
ferred form apparatus comprises a worm con
veyor 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 sup
porting a bearing centrally within the bottom
of the vessel as shown, and at the top of the
vessel by way of a suitable arrangement of
drive motor 9, such as an electric motor, for
the worm 7.In the preferred form apparatus
the worm conveyor 7 does not comprise an
external tube within which the worm operates
and the worm itself is open. In use, the "con
centration" of grain in water in the vessel is
typically such that the mixture forms a rela
tively solid mass so that the worm 7 may
effectively act to lift grain from towards the
bottom of the vessel to towards the top to a
degree sufficient to cause the required mov
ing/stirring of the grain. The preferred form
apparatus includes subsidiary stirring vanes 10
below the worm 7 as shown, which rotate w!0h the worm 7 to minimise bulking/clogging grains towards the bottom of the vessel.
ss 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 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 com
prises a worm conveyor 11 arranged to de
liver 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 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 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.
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 the 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 over the pipe 5 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 of the grain, for between 20 and 60 minutes for example. When grain is to be finally delivered for use the valve 6 is operated so that grain removed the from vessel 1 via worm/pump 4 will be delivered from the outlet pipe 14.
Preferably 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 grain to the vessel 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 13 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 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 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 auger 8 at some predetermined time to deliver water and grain to the vessel. 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 quantities 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.
Claims (19)
1. A soaked grain handling apparatus comprising a vessel adapted to contain quantities of grain and of water for soaking of said grain and an outlet delivery means adapted and operable to deliver quantities of soaked grain from said vessel via a soaked grain outlet of said vessel, for addition to dough.
2. A soaked grain handling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including means for delivering grain into said vessel via a grain inlet thereof, and means for delivering water into said vessel via a water inlet thereof.
3. A soaked grain handling apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said means for delivering grain into said vessel comprises a grain conveying means arranged to deliver quantities of grain into said vessel from a bulk grain supply.
4. A soaked grain handling apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said grain conveying means comprises a worm conveyor.
5. A soaked grain handling apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, 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.
6. A soaked grain handling apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including means for moving said grain in said water during soaking of same in said vessel.
7. A soaked grain handling apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said means for moving said grain in said water during soaking is provided within said vessel and is arranged to move grain from towards the bottom of said vessel to towards the top of said vessel.
8. A soaked grain handling apparatus as claimed in claim 7, 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.
9. A soaked grain handling 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.
10. A soaked grain handling apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said outlet delivery means is arranged to delivery said soaked grain over a grain delivery pipe from said apparatus.
11. A soaked grain handling apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said outlet delivery means includes a worm conveyor at least partially open to said soaked grain outlet whereby grain is entered to said worm conveyor from said vessel by gravity feed.
12. A soaked grain handling apparatus as claimed in claim 11, 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.
13. A soaked grain handling apparatus as claimed in any one of claim 2 and any of the preceding claims when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 2, wherein each of said means for delivering grain into said vessel, said means for delivery of water into said vessel, and said outlet delivery means from said vessel are controllable to deliver measured quantities of grain/water into/from said vessel from a common control means.
14. A soaked grain handling apparatus as claimed in claim 13, 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.
15. A soaked grain handling apparatus as claimed in claim 14, 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.
16. A soaked grain handling apparatus as claimed in either of claims 14 and 15, 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.
17. A soaked grain handling apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein said common control means is additionally arranged to control said means for moving said grain in said water during soaking.
18. A soaked grain handling 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 outlet to said outlet delivery means at or towards the bottom of said cone.
19. A soaked grain handling apparatus, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ21693486A NZ216934A (en) | 1986-07-22 | 1986-07-22 | Apparatus for soaking grain: vessel with delivery outlet |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8717375D0 GB8717375D0 (en) | 1987-08-26 |
| GB2192780A true GB2192780A (en) | 1988-01-27 |
Family
ID=19921711
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08717375A Withdrawn GB2192780A (en) | 1986-07-22 | 1987-07-22 | A soaked grain handling apparatus |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU604248B2 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2192780A (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ216934A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP3000323A3 (en) * | 2014-07-24 | 2016-05-11 | OOO INPK "Hlebotehnika" | Method for the continuous production and portion-based metering of a flour gelatinisation product for baked product kneading |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN113499827B (en) * | 2021-06-11 | 2024-02-20 | 思念食品(河南)有限公司 | Cereal pulp preparation system, preparation method and application thereof |
Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1051743A (en) * | ||||
| GB563792A (en) * | 1943-03-29 | 1944-08-30 | Steei Brothers & Company Ltd | A process and apparatus for the treatment of rice and other cereals |
| GB669310A (en) * | 1948-04-26 | 1952-04-02 | Gen Am Transport | Apparatus for treating cereals in a continuous process |
| GB990063A (en) * | 1962-01-24 | 1965-04-22 | Corn Products Co | Process and apparatus for preparing rice products and rice products of said process |
| GB1116893A (en) * | 1966-02-09 | 1968-06-12 | H J H King And Company Ltd | Improvements in or relating to apparatus, more particularly for the malting of barley |
| GB1494132A (en) * | 1974-02-08 | 1977-12-07 | Buehler Ag Geb | Treatment of grain |
| GB2173986A (en) * | 1985-04-25 | 1986-10-29 | Mars Inc | Par boiling rice |
-
1986
- 1986-07-22 NZ NZ21693486A patent/NZ216934A/en unknown
-
1987
- 1987-07-21 AU AU75968/87A patent/AU604248B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1987-07-22 GB GB08717375A patent/GB2192780A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1051743A (en) * | ||||
| GB563792A (en) * | 1943-03-29 | 1944-08-30 | Steei Brothers & Company Ltd | A process and apparatus for the treatment of rice and other cereals |
| GB669310A (en) * | 1948-04-26 | 1952-04-02 | Gen Am Transport | Apparatus for treating cereals in a continuous process |
| GB990063A (en) * | 1962-01-24 | 1965-04-22 | Corn Products Co | Process and apparatus for preparing rice products and rice products of said process |
| GB1116893A (en) * | 1966-02-09 | 1968-06-12 | H J H King And Company Ltd | Improvements in or relating to apparatus, more particularly for the malting of barley |
| GB1494132A (en) * | 1974-02-08 | 1977-12-07 | Buehler Ag Geb | Treatment of grain |
| GB2173986A (en) * | 1985-04-25 | 1986-10-29 | Mars Inc | Par boiling rice |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP3000323A3 (en) * | 2014-07-24 | 2016-05-11 | OOO INPK "Hlebotehnika" | Method for the continuous production and portion-based metering of a flour gelatinisation product for baked product kneading |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| NZ216934A (en) | 1989-03-29 |
| AU7596887A (en) | 1988-01-28 |
| AU604248B2 (en) | 1990-12-13 |
| GB8717375D0 (en) | 1987-08-26 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |