JP6707110B2 - Food cleaning equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a foodstuff washing device for washing foodstuffs such as vegetables.

As a conventional technique for a foodstuff washing device for washing foodstuffs such as vegetables, water from a tap is sprayed into a container in which foodstuffs are stored, the foodstuffs are made to flow in the container to be washed, and water overflowing from the container is washed. There is a cleaning device for discharging (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-201294 JP 2001-17332 A

In the above-mentioned conventional technique, water from the tap water is sprayed into the container and the water overflowing from the container is discarded as it is, so that there is a problem that the amount of water used for cleaning becomes very large.

An object of the present invention is to provide a food material cleaning device that can reliably remove foreign substances by reducing the amount of water used for cleaning food materials.

According to the present invention, a first storage space for storing a cleaning liquid is provided so as to open upward, and the first storage space is a main tank formed of a long box-shaped body extending in one direction,
A current plate provided in the first storage space of the main tank and having a plurality of through holes dispersed therein;
A supply unit for supplying a cleaning liquid to the main tank,
A sub tank disposed adjacent to the main tank and provided with a second storage space for storing the cleaning liquid;
A liquid guiding part for guiding the cleaning liquid overflowing from the first storage space of the main tank to the second storage space;
A reflux injection unit for injecting the cleaning liquid stored in the sub tank into the first accommodation space,
A pump that has a suction port and a discharge port for the cleaning liquid, and that sucks the cleaning liquid in the second accommodation space from the suction port and discharges it from the discharge port;
A recirculation jet unit including a jet nozzle that jets the cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge port of the pump from one side portion in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the main tank on the horizontal plane to the other side portion in the width direction. ,
A circulation unit that takes in the cleaning liquid stored in the first storage space from one longitudinal end of the main tank and discharges the taken cleaning liquid from the other longitudinal end of the main tank to the first storage space, Including,
The circulation unit is
A partition body which is provided at the bottom of the main tank and extends in the longitudinal direction of the main tank and has a reverse U-shaped cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and is a partition member in the longitudinal direction between the bottom and the bottom of the main tank. A partition body forming a flow path whose both ends are open,
And a screw that is disposed in the flow path and is driven to rotate in one direction .

Further, the present invention is characterized by further including a carry-out conveyor which is provided at the one end in the longitudinal direction of the main tank and carries out foodstuffs from the first accommodation space upward.

According to the present invention, the cleaning liquid stored in the main tank is moved from the other end in the longitudinal direction of the main tank toward the one end in the longitudinal direction by the circulation unit, and on the horizontal surface by the jet flow from the jet nozzle. Can be conveyed in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the food material can be conveyed while being stirred and washed. Since the main tank is provided with the flow straightening plate in which a plurality of through holes are dispersed, the flow that disturbs the jet flow of the jet nozzle can be eliminated and rectified, and the entire flow can be made into a constant large flow. As a result, a large amount of food can be fluidized, a large amount of food can be stirred without being damaged, and the amount of water used for cleaning can be reduced to achieve high cleaning power.

Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description and drawings.

It is a side view which shows the foodstuff washing device 10 of the reference example of this invention. It is a front view which shows the foodstuff washing device 10. It is a top view which shows the foodstuff washing device 10. It is sectional drawing seen from the cutting plane line S4-S4 of FIG. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the 1st drainage part 19. It is sectional drawing which shows the pump 15. It is a side view which shows the injection nozzle 16. It is a front view which expands and shows the injection port 16a of the injection nozzle 16. It is a rear view which shows the foodstuff washing device 10 of a reference example. It is a rear view which shows the foodstuff washing|cleaning apparatus 100 at the time of providing a pump outside the subtank 130. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the flow of the cleaning liquid and the food material 50 in the first storage space 17 of the main tank 11, especially in the container 20. 3 is a block diagram showing a control mechanism of the food cleaning device 10. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for washing foodstuffs in the foodstuff washing device 10. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for washing foodstuffs in the foodstuff washing device 10. It is sectional drawing which simplifies and shows the foodstuff washing|cleaning apparatus 10a of the other reference example of this invention. It is a top view of the foodstuff washing device 10a seen from the upper part of FIG. It is a front view which shows the overflow filter 108. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the overflow filter 108 taken along the section line XVI-XVI of FIG. 15. It is a side view which shows the reversal operation of the container 102 of the foodstuff washing device 10a. It is a side view which simplifies and shows the foodstuff washing device 10b of the further another reference example of this invention. FIG. 19 is a plan view of the foodstuff cleaning device 10b viewed from above in FIG. 18. It is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the food cleaning device 10b. It is sectional drawing which simplifies and shows the foodstuff washing|cleaning apparatus 10c of one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 22 is a plan view of the food material cleaning device 10c seen from above in FIG. 21. It is an expanded sectional view which shows the structure of the circulation part 307.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a food material cleaning device 10 according to a reference example of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the foodstuff cleaning device 10. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the foodstuff cleaning device 10. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the section line S4-S4 in FIG. The food cleaning device 10 is configured to include a main tank 11, a cleaning liquid supply unit 12, a sub tank 13, a liquid guiding unit 14, a pump 15, and an injection nozzle 16.

The main tank 11 is provided with a first accommodation space 17, a lid portion 18, and a first drainage portion 19. The first accommodating space 17 is opened upward and accommodates a bottomed cylindrical container 20 in which a plurality of through holes 40 are formed and is detachably accommodated, and also stores a cleaning liquid. The through-hole 40 of the container 20 is formed to have a size through which the food material contained in the container 20 cannot pass and a foreign material attached to the food material can pass through. The foodstuffs are so-called cut vegetables obtained by cutting leaf vegetables such as cabbage and lettuce into about 5 cm×5 cm, and are intended for foodstuffs that require a high efficiency and a high foreign matter removal rate without deteriorating the texture. ..

The main tank 18 is formed based on the shape of the container 20 to be housed in the first housing space 17, and in the first housing space 17 of the main tank 18 with the container 20 housed in the first housing space 17. Between the inner surfaces of the side portion and the bottom portion, which face the outer surfaces of the side wall and the bottom wall of the container 20, a gap 41 having a distance ΔL of, for example, 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less is formed.

The lid portion 18 is provided on the upper portion of the main tank 11 and extends horizontally between a closed position P1 in which the container 20 accommodated in the first accommodating space 17 is fitted from above and an open position P2 in which the first accommodating space is opened upward. It can be opened and closed by angularly displacing it about the axis. The lid portion 18 is formed such that the peripheral edge portion thereof protrudes below the remaining portion in the state of being arranged at the closed position P1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing the first drainage unit 19. The first drainage portion 19 is provided on the bottom portion 11 a of the main tank 11 and drains the cleaning liquid stored in the first storage space 17. The first drainage unit 19 includes a drainage channel 21, a valve 22 and a solenoid 23. The drainage channel 21 includes a first drainage pipe 42a having a valve seat 43, a second drainage pipe 42b, a third drainage pipe 42c, and a fourth drainage pipe 42d. The drainage path 21 as described above opens at the bottom 11a of the main tank 11 so as to face the first accommodation space 17 upward, and connects the first accommodation space 17 and the outer space.

The valve 22 has a valve portion 22a which is capable of contacting the valve seat 43 of the first drain pipe 42a connected to the bottom portion 11a of the main tank 11 at the upper portion over the entire circumference. The valve portion 22a realized by the opening/closing valve is made of, for example, a polymer resin having elasticity such as silicon rubber, and is formed in a substantially truncated cone shape whose diameter increases as it goes upward. The valve 22 is seated with the valve portion 22a seated on the bottom portion 11a of the main tank 11 with the entire circumference thereof in contact with the bottom portion 11a of the main tank 11. The portion 22a is separated from the valve seat 43, and is vertically displaceable by the solenoid 23 over a communication position where the first storage space 17 and the outer space communicate with each other via the first drainage portion 19.

The solenoid 23 is realized by an electromagnetic solenoid having a push rod 23a that is vertically displaced. When the solenoid 23 is not supplied with electric power, the push rod 23a is in a retracted state, and at this time, the push rod 23a and the valve 22 are separated from each other. At this time, the valve 22 is arranged in the shutoff position. When electric power is supplied to the solenoid 23, the push rod 23a is in an extended state, and the push rod 23a pushes the valve 22 via the substantially cylindrical pressing body 23b to push the valve 22 upward. At this time, the valve 22 is arranged in the open position. When the push rod 23a of the solenoid 23 changes from the extended state to the retracted state, the valve 22 disposed in the communicating position is disposed in the shut-off position because the valve body 22a is displaced downward by its own weight.

The cleaning liquid supply unit 12 supplies the main tank 11 with cleaning water, which is a cleaning liquid, and a sterilizing liquid. The cleaning liquid supply unit 12 includes a cleaning water supply unit 24 that is connected to the water supply and that supplies the cleaning liquid, and a sterilizing liquid supply unit 25 that supplies the sterilizing liquid containing a component having a sterilizing action such as chlorine. The cleaning water supply unit 24 is provided with a first valve 24a that switches between supplying and not supplying the cleaning liquid to the main tank 11. The sterilizing liquid supply unit 25 is composed of a second valve that switches between supplying and not supplying the sterilizing liquid to the main tank 11. The drainage path 21 as described above opens at the bottom 11a of the main tank 11 so as to face the first accommodation space 17 upward, and connects the first accommodation space 17 and the outer space.

The sub tank 13 is arranged adjacent to the main tank 11. The sub tank 13 is provided with a second accommodation space 26 and a second drainage section 27. The second storage space 26 stores the cleaning liquid. The second drainage unit 27 is provided at the bottom of the sub tank 13 and drains the cleaning liquid in the second accommodation space 26. The configuration and operation of the second drainage unit 27 are the same as those of the first drainage unit 19 shown in FIG. 5, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The liquid introducing part 14 is provided on the upper part of the main tank 11 and the upper part of the sub tank 13. The liquid guiding section 14 is configured to include a water guiding channel 28 and a filter section 29. The water conduit 28 is provided above the main tank 11, and guides the cleaning liquid overflowing from the first storage space 17 of the main tank 11 to the second storage space 26 of the sub tank 13. The filter unit 29 is realized by, for example, a mesh-shaped cloth, is provided so as to cover the upper portion of the sub tank 13, and separates foreign matters such as insects and dust from the cleaning liquid overflowing from the first storage space 17 of the main tank 11. To do.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the pump 15. The pump 15 is realized by a submersible pump and includes a motor 30, a conductive wire 31, an impeller 32, and a casing 33. The motor 30 is realized by, for example, an AC electric motor, and the rotor 30a is rotated by the electric power supplied through the conductive wire 31, and the main shaft 30b connected to the rotor 30a is rotated. The impeller 32 is realized by a centrifugal impeller and is coaxially connected to the main shaft 30b of the motor 30. The casing 33 holds the motor 30 and the impeller 32 therein. A flow path 34 is formed in the casing 33 for discharging the cleaning liquid sucked by the rotation of the impeller 32 to the outside. In the vicinity of the impeller 32, the flow path 34 extends along the axis of the main shaft 30b of the motor 30 and in the radial direction of the impeller 32. The flow path 34 further extends in parallel with the main shaft 30b of the motor 30 with a gap therebetween. Both ends of the flow path 34 face the outside of the casing 33.

The pump 15 is arranged in the second accommodation space 26 of the sub tank 13. In the pump 15, in the second accommodation space 26, the suction port 34 a that is one end of the flow path 34 faces the second drainage portion 27 of the sub tank 13, and the discharge port 34 b that is the other end of the flow path 34 is It is arranged so as to face upward. The suction port 34a of the pump 15 is immersed in the cleaning liquid when power is supplied. When the main shaft 30b of the motor 30 rotates in this state, the impeller 32 also rotates, the cleaning liquid near the suction port 34a is sucked by the suction force, is guided to the flow path 34, and is discharged from the discharge port 34b.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the injection nozzle 16. FIG. 8 is an enlarged front view showing the ejection port 16 a of the ejection nozzle 16. One end of the injection nozzle 16 is connected to the discharge port 34b of the pump 15 via a hose. As shown in FIG. 8, the other end of the injection nozzle 16 is formed so as to have a diameter smaller than that of the remaining portion, specifically, an opening having an oval shape. The injection nozzle 16 is provided so as to penetrate the lid portion 18 in the thickness direction, and in a state where the lid portion 18 is arranged at the closed position P1, the cleaning liquid is ejected between the bottom portion 20b of the container 20 and the side wall 20a. It is arranged as.

As described above, the cleaning liquid stored in the sub tank 13 is guided to the main tank 11 into the container 20 by the pump 15 and the injection nozzle 16 constituting the recirculation injection unit while the container 20 is accommodated in the main tank 11. Is jetted.

In another reference example of the present invention, the ejection port 16a of the ejection nozzle 16 may have a configuration in which the front shape opens in a circle as shown by a virtual line 16b in FIG. Of course, various polygons such as triangle, quadrangle, hexagon,... May be adopted.

FIG. 9A is a rear view showing a food material cleaning device 10 of a reference example, and FIG. 9B is a rear view showing a food material cleaning device 100 as a comparative example when a pump is provided outside the sub tank 130. In the foodstuff cleaning device 10 of the reference example, as shown in FIG. 6, in the pump 15, the flow path 34 in the casing 33 is arranged so as to extend substantially in the vertical direction. When the cleaning liquid stored in the second storage space 26 is discharged by 27, the cleaning liquid in the flow path 34 of the pump 15 is also almost completely discharged from the casing 33.

On the other hand, in the foodstuff cleaning device 100 shown in FIG. 9B, the suction port 151 and the discharge port 152 of the pump 150 are arranged substantially horizontally, and therefore the flow path between the suction port 151 and the discharge port 152 is substantially horizontal. Since there is such a region, even if all the cleaning liquid in the sub-tank 130 is discharged, the cleaning liquid remains in the pump 150, and there is a risk that the cleaning liquid in the pump 150 will deteriorate or bacteria will propagate. In the food material cleaning device 10 of the reference example, when the cleaning liquid in the main tank 11 and the sub-tank 13 is completely discharged, the cleaning liquid in the pump 15 is also completely discharged along with this, so that the cleaning liquid in the pump 15 deteriorates. There is almost no risk of germs or bacterial growth.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the flow of the cleaning liquid and the food material 50 in the first storage space 17 of the main tank 11, especially in the container 20. The cleaning liquid stored in the second storage space 26 of the sub tank 13 is supplied to the spray nozzle 16 by the pump 15 and sprayed into the container 20 stored in the first storage space 17 of the main tank 11. At this time, the cleaning liquid from the jet nozzle 16 is directed in a direction between the side wall 20a and the bottom portion 20b of the container 20 farthest from the jet nozzle 16 as shown by the arrow f0, specifically, from the jet nozzle 16 to the side wall 20a. And the bottom portion 20b are sprayed while being diffused in a fan shape along a plane extending in a direction inclining downwardly. The food material 50 in the container 20 flows between the side wall 20a and the bottom portion 20b of the container 20 along the flow of the cleaning liquid indicated by the arrow f0.

The cleaning liquid flowing near the space between the side wall 20a and the bottom portion 20b of the container 20 flows upward along the side wall 20a of the container 20 indicated by the arrow f1 and along the bottom portion 20b of the container 20 indicated by the arrow f2. And flow toward a substantially horizontal direction. The food material 50 that has flowed along the flow of the cleaning liquid indicated by the arrow f1 flows along the side wall 20a upward along with the flow of the cleaning liquid indicated by the arrow f3, and further into the flow of the cleaning liquid indicated by the arrow f4. It gets on and flows from the side wall 20a toward the lid portion 18.

The flow f4 of the cleaning liquid moving upward along the side wall 20a tends to rise above the height position of the stationary liquid surface 43 in the unfluidized state where the cleaning liquid is not sprayed from the spray nozzle 16. At this time, since the lid portion 18 is fitted into the container 20 from above, the food material 50 does not leak from the container 20. The food material 50 flowing along with the flow of the cleaning liquid indicated by the arrow f4 flows along with the flow of the cleaning liquid indicated by the arrow f5 toward the injection nozzle 16 along the lid portion 18. Further, the flow f5 directed toward the injection nozzle 16 along the lid portion 18 is directed toward the corner portion 20c between the side wall 20a and the bottom portion 20b of the container 20 by the attraction force of the flow f0 of the injection from the injection nozzle 16 and is directed toward the corner portion 20c. To occur. Riding on the flow of the cleaning liquid indicated by the arrow f6, the food material 50 flows from the lid portion 18 toward the ejection port 16a of the ejection nozzle 16.

In addition, the food material 50 that has flowed along the flow of the cleaning liquid indicated by the arrow f2 branched in the corner portion 20c flows along the flow of the cleaning liquid indicated by the arrow f7 in a substantially horizontal direction along the bottom portion 20b. Further, the cleaning liquid flows from the bottom portion 20b toward the side wall 20a by riding on the flow of the cleaning liquid indicated by the arrow f8 that rises from the corner portion 20d located below the injection nozzle 16. The food material 50 flowing along with the flow of the cleaning liquid indicated by the arrow f8 flows along the side wall 20a toward the injection nozzle 16 along with the flow of the cleaning liquid indicated by the arrow f9. Further, the flow f9 rising along the side wall 20a is generated by the attractive force of the jet flow f0 from the jet nozzle 16 to generate a flow f10 that is redirected in the direction along the jet flow f0 from the jet nozzle 16. The food material 50 coming from the side wall 20a to the vicinity of the injection port 16a of the injection nozzle 16 along with the flow of the cleaning liquid indicated by the arrow f10 is taken into the injection flow f0 and flows toward the corner portion 20c.

Thus, in the container 20 accommodated in the first accommodating space 17 of the main tank 11, two rotating flows of the cleaning liquid f0→f1→f3→f4→f5→f6, f0→f2→f7→f8→ f9→f10 occurs, and the food material 50 flows on these flows. Since the food material 50 flowing in this way repeatedly collides with and separates from the cleaning liquid, it is possible to remove foreign matter attached to the surface of the food material 50.

Further, since the plurality of through holes 40 are formed dispersedly in the container 20, a part of the jet flow of the cleaning liquid jetted from the jet nozzle 16 passes through the through holes 40 and flows into the gap 41 to rectify. To reduce the generation of the reflection flow that disturbs the flows f1, f3; f2, f7 to f9 along the container 20, to form the large flow as described above in the entire container 20, and to cause the food material 50 to largely flow with the cleaning liquid. , High cleaning power can be realized.

When the cleaning liquid is a sterilizing liquid, the sterilizing liquid can be evenly contacted with the surface of the food material 50. As the sterilizing solution, an aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution having a concentration of 200 ppm can be used. As shown in FIG. 8, the jet nozzle 16 has an elliptical cross section perpendicular to its axis, so that the cleaning liquid to be jetted is discharged from the jet nozzle 16 between the side wall 20a and the bottom 20b of the container 20. The cleaning liquid can be largely fluidized in the container 20 because it is sprayed by being diffused in a fan shape along the plane FP extending in the direction inclining downward toward the corner portion 20c.

A part of the cleaning liquid sprayed into the container 20 passes through the through hole 40 of the container 20 and flows into the gap 41, and overflows from the first accommodation space 17 as indicated by the arrow 11. Thus, the cleaning liquid overflowing from the first storage space 17 is guided to the water conduit 28 of the liquid guiding part 14, flows out to the filter part 29 above the sub tank 13, and is filtered by the filter part 29 to remove foreign matters. The separated and clear filtrate flows into the second storage space 26 of the sub tank 13. At this time, since the lid portion 18 is fitted into the container 20 from above, the food material 50 does not leak from the container 20.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the food material cleaning device 10. The food cleaning device 10 further includes a liquid level sensor 35, a timer 36, an operation panel 37, and a control unit 38. The liquid level sensor 35 is provided in the sub tank 13, detects whether the liquid level of the second storage space 26 of the sub tank 13 is equal to or higher than a predetermined liquid level which is a predetermined liquid level, and controls the detection signal. It is given to the part 38. Here, the prescribed liquid level is equal to or higher than the liquid level at which the suction port 34a of the pump 15 arranged in the second storage space 26 of the sub tank 13 is immersed in the cleaning liquid, and is equal to or higher than the cleaning liquid in the first storage space 17 of the main tank 13. It is below the liquid level. The timer 36 clocks and gives a clock signal indicating time to the control unit 38. The operation panel 37 is operated by an operator to input various information and displays various information.

The control unit 38 is capable of controlling the food cleaning device 10 in an integrated manner, for example, by a computer including a central processing unit (CPU), ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). May be realized. The operation panel may be realized by a liquid crystal display device in which a sheet switch such as a touch panel is attached to the display surface.

The liquid level sensor 35 may be realized by, for example, a float type liquid level sensor. Further, the timer 36 may be realized by, for example, a crystal oscillator.

FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B are flowcharts showing the procedure for cleaning food in the food cleaning device 10. In step s0, the operator stores the food 50 to be washed in the container 20 with the valves 22 of the first and second drainage sections 19 and 27 opened, and the container 20 is placed in the first tank of the main tank 11. When the lid portion 18 is placed in the closed position P1 and the start button SW of the operation panel 37 is pressed, the washing procedure of the food material 50 is started, and the process proceeds to step s1.

In step s1, the control unit 38 controls the valves 22 of the first drainage unit 19 and the second drainage unit 27 to be closed, and proceeds to step s2.

In step s2, the control unit 38 controls the cleaning water supply unit 24 so as to supply the cleaning liquid to the first storage space 17 of the main tank 11, and proceeds to step s3. In this step s3, the cleaning liquid is supplied to the first storage space 17 of the main tank 11, and the cleaning liquid overflowing from the first storage space 17 is guided to the second storage space 26 of the sub tank 13 by the liquid introducing unit 14.

In step s3, the control unit 38 regulates whether or not the liquid level sensor 35 detects that the liquid level of the cleaning liquid in the second storage space 26 of the sub tank 13 is equal to or higher than a predetermined regulated liquid level. The process is repeated until the liquid level is detected or higher, and if it is determined that the liquid level is higher than the specified level, the process proceeds to step s4.

In step s4, the control unit 38 controls the cleaning water supply unit 24 so as to stop the supply of the cleaning liquid to the first storage space 17 of the main tank 11 and controls the pump 15 to supply electric power. The timer 36 is controlled to start counting, and the process proceeds to step s5. In step s4, the cleaning liquid in the second storage space 26 of the sub tank 13 is supplied to the injection nozzle 16 by the pump 15 and sprayed into the container 20 of the first storage space 17 of the main tank 11.

In step s5, the control unit 38 determines, based on the timing signal from the timer 36, whether or not a predetermined specified time has elapsed until it is determined that the specified time has elapsed, and determines that the specified time has elapsed. Then, the process proceeds to step s6.

In step s6, the control unit 38 controls to stop the supply of electric power to the pump 15 and controls the valves 22 of the first drainage unit 19 and the second drainage unit 27 to open, and then to Step s7. Proceed to.

In step s7, the control unit 38 determines whether all the cleaning liquid has been discharged from the first storage space 17 of the main tank 11 and the second storage space 26 of the sub tank 13, and determines that all the cleaning liquid has been discharged. If it is determined that all the cleaning liquid has been discharged, the process proceeds to step s8.

In step s7, it is determined whether or not all the cleaning liquid has been discharged from the first storage space 17 of the main tank 11 and the second storage space 26 of the sub tank 13 by the valves 22 of the first drainage unit 19 and the second drainage unit 27. After opening, the drainage time measured in advance is stored in the RAM of the control unit 38, and the stored drainage time is clocked in synchronization with the timing signal of the timer 36 to determine whether or not the drainage time has elapsed. You may judge by. Further, it is determined whether or not the cleaning liquid has been completely discharged from the first storage space 17 of the main tank 11 and the second storage space 26 of the sub tank 13 depending on the liquid passing through the first drainage section 19 and the second drainage section 27. It is also possible to provide a sensor that detects whether or not the determination is made based on the detection of the sensor. The sensor may be realized by an optical sensor such as a photo interrupter or a float type contact switch, for example.

In step s8, the control unit 38 controls to close the valves 22 of the first drainage unit 19 and the second drainage unit 27, and proceeds to step s9.

In step s9, the control unit 38 controls the sterilizing liquid supply unit 25 so as to supply the sterilizing liquid to the first storage space 17 of the main tank 11, and proceeds to step s10. In this step s9, the sterilizing liquid is supplied to the first containing space 17 of the main tank 11, and the sterilizing liquid overflowing from the first containing space 17 is introduced into the second containing space 26 of the sub tank 13 by the liquid introducing section 14. Get burned.

In step s10, the control unit 38 determines whether or not the liquid level sensor 35 has detected that the liquid level of the sterilizing liquid in the second storage space 26 of the sub tank 13 is equal to or higher than a predetermined regulated liquid level, The process is repeated until it is detected as being equal to or higher than the specified liquid level, and when it is determined that it is equal to or higher than the specified liquid level, the process proceeds to step s11.

In step s11, the control unit 38 controls the sterilizing liquid supply unit 25 so as to stop the supply of the sterilizing liquid to the first accommodation space 17 of the main tank 11, and controls the pump 15 to supply electric power. At the same time, the timer 36 is controlled so as to start measuring time, and the process proceeds to step s12. In step s11, the sterilizing liquid in the second storage space 26 of the sub tank 13 is supplied to the injection nozzle 16 by the pump 15 and sprayed into the container 20 of the first storage space 17 of the main tank 11.

In step s12, the control unit 38 determines, based on the timing signal from the timer 36, whether or not a predetermined prescribed time has elapsed until it is determined that the prescribed time has elapsed, and determines that the prescribed time has elapsed. Then, it progresses to step s13.

In step s13, the control unit 38 controls so as to stop the supply of electric power to the pump 15, controls the valves 22 of the first drainage unit 19 and the second drainage unit 27 to open, and then proceeds to Step s14. Proceed to.

In step s14, the control unit 38 determines whether all the sterilizing liquid has been discharged from the first housing space 17 of the main tank 11 and the second housing space 26 of the sub tank 13 and determines that all the sterilizing liquid has been discharged. If it is determined that the sterilizing liquid is completely discharged, the process proceeds to step s15.

In step s15, the control unit 38 controls the valves 22 of the first drainage unit 19 and the second drainage unit 27 to be closed, and proceeds to step s16.

In step s16, the control unit 38 controls the cleaning liquid supply unit 24 so as to supply the cleaning liquid to the first storage space 17 of the main tank 11, and proceeds to step s17. In this step s3, the cleaning liquid is supplied to the first storage space 17 of the main tank 11, and the cleaning liquid overflowing from the first storage space 17 is guided to the second storage space 26 of the sub tank 13 by the liquid introducing unit 14.

In step s17, the control unit 38 regulates whether or not the liquid level sensor 35 detects that the liquid level of the cleaning liquid in the second storage space 26 of the sub tank 13 is equal to or higher than a predetermined regulated liquid level. The process is repeated until it is detected as being higher than the liquid level, and if it is determined that it is higher than the specified liquid level, the process proceeds to step s18.

In step s18, the control unit 38 controls the cleaning liquid supply unit 24 to stop the supply of the cleaning liquid to the first storage space 17 of the main tank 11, controls the pump 15 to supply electric power, and controls the timer. Control is performed to start time counting at 36, and the process proceeds to step s19. In step s18, the cleaning liquid in the second accommodation space 26 of the sub tank 13 is supplied to the injection nozzle 16 by the pump 15 and is injected into the container 20 of the first accommodation space 17 of the main tank 11.

In step s19, the control unit 38 determines, based on the timing signal from the timer 36, whether or not a predetermined prescribed time has elapsed until it is determined that the prescribed time has elapsed, and determines that the prescribed time has elapsed. Then, it progresses to step s20. The specified time is, for example, in the range of 30 sec or more and 10 min or less, depending on the type, size, cut shape, hardness, temperature of the cleaning liquid, the amount of the object to be cleaned per batch, etc. Is set appropriately. As an example, when the object to be cleaned is cut lettuce and the input amount is 5 kg, it is set to 30 sec to 1 min.

In step s20, the control unit 38 controls to stop the supply of electric power to the pump 15 to control the valves 22 of the first drainage unit 19 and the second drainage unit 27 to open, and then to Step s21. Proceed to.

In step s21, the control unit 38 determines whether all the cleaning liquid has been discharged from the first storage space 17 of the main tank 11 and the second storage space 26 of the sub tank 13, and determines that all the cleaning liquid has been discharged. If it is determined that the cleaning liquid has been completely discharged, the process proceeds to step s22.

In step s22, the control unit 38 sounds a buzzer provided on the operation panel 37 to notify the operator that the cleaning of the food material 50 is completed, and the process proceeds to step s23 to complete all the procedures. The main tank 11 has a capacity of 60 liters to 120 liters of water and has a used water amount of 720 liters/hour to 1200 liters/hour and cuts leek, cabbage, lettuce and the like at 10 kg/hour to 20 kg/hour. The vegetables can be washed.

Table 1 is a table showing a comparison of the numbers of general viable bacteria and Escherichia coli generated per gram of washed onion after washing the onion sliced into 2 mm as a food with the hand washing and food washing device 10. Table 2 is a table showing a comparison of the numbers of general viable bacteria and Escherichia coli generated per 1 gram of cabbage after washing, in which cabbage shredded into 1 mm width as food is washed by a conventional washing device and food washing device 10. Is.

As shown in Table 1 and Table 2, the foodstuffs washed by the foodstuff washing device 10 have a general viable cell count of less than one-hundredth and a coliform group count of 0 as compared with handwashing and conventional washing devices, It can be confirmed that it has extremely good cleaning performance.

As described above, according to the food material cleaning device 10 of the reference example, the food material is stored in the container 20, the container 20 is stored in the main tank 11, the lid portion 18 is arranged at the closed position, and the cleaning liquid supply portion 12 is used. The cleaning liquid is supplied to the first storage space 17 of the main tank 11 until the cleaning liquid overflows from the first storage space 17 and is stored in the second storage space 26 of the sub tank 13, and the pump 15 and the injection nozzle 16 are provided. When the cleaning liquid stored in the sub tank 13 is guided to the main tank 11 and sprayed into the container 20, the food 50 in the container 20 can be cleaned by the sprayed cleaning liquid.

When the cleaning liquid is sprayed into the container 20 by the pump 15 and the spray nozzle 16, the cleaning liquid overflows from the first storage space 17, and the overflowing cleaning liquid is removed from the cleaning liquid by the liquid guiding section 14 from the cleaning liquid. It is separated and guided to the second storage space 26 of the sub tank 13.

Therefore, the cleaning liquid is circulated in the first storage space 17 of the main tank 11 and the second storage space 26 of the sub tank 13 by the pump 15, the injection nozzle 16, and the liquid guide portion 14, and while being circulated in this way, the container It is used for cleaning the food 50 in 20 and removes the foreign substances that have separated from the food, so the amount of the cleaning liquid used for cleaning can be reduced compared to the conventional case where the cleaning liquid is immediately discarded after being used for cleaning. The amount of the cleaning liquid can be reduced and the state of the cleaning liquid can be kept as suitable as possible for cleaning.

After cleaning for a predetermined time, the cleaning liquid in the first storage space 17 of the main tank 11 and the second storage space 26 of the sub tank 13 is discharged by the first drainage portion 19 of the main tank 11 and the second drainage portion 27 of the sub tank 13. Then, the cleaning liquid is supplied again to the main tank 11 by the cleaning liquid supply unit 12 and the cleaning of the food material 50 in the container 20 is repeated, so that the foreign matter attached to the food material 50 can be more reliably removed.

Further, since a plurality of through holes 40 are formed dispersedly in the container 20 and a gap 41 is formed between the main tank 11 and the container 20, an upward flow along the side wall 20a in the container 20. And the horizontal flow along the bottom portion 20b promotes agitation and collision of the food material, which is the object to be cleaned, and promptly discharges foreign matter such as insects and dust separated from the food material to the liquid guiding portion 28, and violently in the container 20. It is possible to remove foreign matter from the flowing cleaning liquid and prevent the foreign matter from reattaching to the object to be cleaned.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a food material cleaning device 10a according to another reference example of the present invention in a simplified manner. FIG. 14 is a plan view of the foodstuff cleaning device 10a viewed from above in FIG. Note that duplicate description will be omitted for the corresponding configurations of the main tank, the sub tank, the reflux injection unit including the pump, the liquid introducing unit, the control unit, and the like in the above-described reference example. The foodstuff cleaning device 10a of the present reference example has a container 102 having a plurality of through holes 101 dispersed therein and having a concave cross section, a main tank 103 having a first housing space 103a for housing the container 102, and a main tank. A sub-tank 104 disposed adjacent to the main tank 103 and having a second storage space 104a for storing the cleaning liquid overflowing from the main tank 103; and a cleaning liquid overflowing from the main tank 103 to the sub-tank 104, and foreign matter from the cleaning liquid. And a recirculation injection unit 109 that guides the cleaning liquid stored in the sub tank 104 to the main tank 103 and injects it into the first storage space 103a, and an opening 107 that defines an opening 106 of the container 102. And an overflow filter 108 that is detachably provided.

The reflux injection unit 109 includes a pump 110 that sucks the cleaning liquid in the second storage space 104a of the sub tank 104 from the suction port and discharges the cleaning liquid from the discharge port, and a plurality of injection nozzles 115. The jet flow of the cleaning liquid jetted from each jet nozzle 115 in the arrow B direction is discharged from the jet nozzles 115a to 115f (in the case of generic name, the suffixes a to f are omitted and written as “115”). The cleaning liquid is sprayed into the first storage space 103a of the main tank 103 in the direction of arrow B, and the cleaning liquid stored in the first storage space 103a is largely flown in the container 102 as indicated by arrows A1 and A2. Thus, a large relative speed difference is generated in the cleaning liquid for each food material in the container 102, and the cleaning effect can be enhanced.

The container 102 is provided so as to close the peripheral wall 111 having a concave cross section when viewed from the side shown in FIG. 13, more specifically, the U-shaped peripheral wall 111, and both ends in the axial direction of the peripheral wall 111 (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 13). It has a pair of side walls 112 and 113. On the peripheral wall 111, a plurality of through holes 114 having an inner diameter of 2.0 mmφ are dispersed in a lattice pattern at 3.0 mm intervals. A plurality of water passage holes 117 are formed at one end of the peripheral wall 111 in the circumferential direction so as to face the respective injection nozzles 115 in the horizontal direction. A gap 108 similar to the one described above is formed between the container 102 and the main tank 103, and a part of the flow that is about to flow out through the through hole 114 of the container 102 escapes into each of the gaps 108, so that each injection is performed. The flow that disturbs the jet flow from the nozzle 115 can be eliminated, the turbulence of the jet flow can be suppressed and rectified, and the entire flow can be made constant flows A1, A2, and B. As a result, the food can be largely fluidized, a large amount of food can be stirred without being damaged, and high cleaning power can be realized.

FIG. 15 is a front view showing the overflow filter 108. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the overflow filter 108 taken along the section line XVI-XVI of FIG. The overflow filters 108 are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the jetting direction B of the cleaning liquid jetted from each jet nozzle 115, which is the left-right direction in FIG. 15, with a center interval ΔL11 of about 10 to 20 mm therebetween. A plurality of filter rods 120 each made of a rod-shaped member having a diameter of about 2.5 to 3.5 mm, and a mounting member 121 in the form of a long plate to which one end portion of each filter rod 120 on the base end side is fixed, for example, by welding. The pair of engaging pieces 122a and 122b, which are fixed by welding, for example, are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the member 121. Such an overflow filter 108 may be made of stainless steel.

Each filter rod 120 is made of a stainless steel round bar, and is formed by bending into a substantially L shape. The mounting member 121 and the engagement pieces 122a and 122b are made of stainless steel plate material. Each of the engagement pieces 122 a and 122 b is connected to a rising portion 123 that is vertically fixed to the mounting member 121 and a bent portion that is vertically bent and connected to the rising portion 123, extends in parallel to the mounting member 121, and has a tip portion protruding from the mounting member 121. And a parallel portion 124.

One side of the injection nozzle 115 side of the opening 107 of the container 102 is fitted and engaged between the parallel portion 124 of each of the engagement pieces 122a and 122b and the mounting member 121, and the overflow filter 108 serves as the overflow filter 108. The opening 107 is detachably provided. The filter rods 110 project upward from the openings 107, and are arranged apart from each other with a gap ΔL12 that prevents passage of foodstuffs and allows passage of cleaning liquid.

Since such an overflow filter 108 is provided in the container 102, a part of the agitation flows A1 and A2 generated by the jet flow B of the cleaning liquid jetted from each jet nozzle 115 is indicated by an arrow C as shown in FIG. Overflow (overflow) from the opening 107 of the container 102 to the liquid guiding part 105 through the overflow filter 108, and only the cleaning liquid containing the foreign matter is guided to the liquid guiding part 105 without letting the food material flow out of the container 102, and the foreign matter is discharged. It is possible to perform cleaning in a short time while circulating the cleaning liquid from which is removed by the sub tank 104 and the reflux injection unit 109.

FIG. 17 is a side view showing the reversing operation of the container 102 of the foodstuff cleaning device 10a. The food cleaning device 10a includes a storage position P11 in which the container 102 is stored in the first storage space 103a of the main tank 103 with the opening 106 facing upward, and the storage position P11 of the container 102 in which the opening 106 faces sideways. A reversing drive unit 125 for angularly displacing the container 102 around the horizontal axis L3 is further included over the discharge position P12 disposed outside.

The reversal drive unit 125 includes a double-acting pneumatic cylinder 130 having a piston rod 129 having a stroke ST, and a support shaft 131 fixed to the upper portion of one side wall of the sub tank 104 perpendicularly (that is, horizontally) to the one side wall. And a swing lever 133 whose base end is rotatably fitted to the support shaft 131 about a horizontal axis L4, and whose free end is connected to the tip end of the piston rod 129 by the first pin 132, and one end. A part is fixed to the base end of the swing lever 133, and one end is connected to the other end of the first link member 134 so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis L4. A second link member 135, a first link pin 136 that rotatably connects the other end of the first link member 134 and one end of the second link member 135, and the other end of the second link member 135. , A second link pin 137 that rotatably connects the side walls 112a and 112b of the container 102.

The second link member 135 is configured to include a pair of link pieces 135a and 135b, and a shaft coupling 135c that movably connects the link pieces 135a and 135b so as to move in a direction toward and away from each other on a common axis. .. The shaft coupling 135c includes a pair of nuts 138, 139 fixed by welding or the like to one end of each of the link pieces 135a, 135b on the side close to each other, and a bolt 140 screwed to the nuts 138, 139. By rotating the bolt 140 around its axis, the screwing position of the bolt 140 with respect to the nuts 138, 139 is changed, and the distance W between the first and second link pins 136, 137 is changed, so that the container The inversion angle θ of the axis 102 about the axis L3 can be adjusted so that the food in the container 102 can be reliably discharged in the arrow D direction.

The lower end of the double-acting pneumatic cylinder 130 is rotatably connected to a bracket 141 fixed by a bolt and a nut on a horizontal installation surface such as a floor of a factory by a pin 142 so as to be rotatable about an axis L5, and a reaction force of the container 102 is generated. Configured to support. The aforementioned axes L1 to L5 are parallel to each other.

FIG. 18 is a side view showing, in a simplified manner, a food material washing device 10b according to still another reference example of the present invention. 19 is a plan view of the foodstuff cleaning device 10b viewed from above in FIG. The corresponding configurations of the main tank, the sub tank, the reflux injection unit including the pump, the liquid introducing unit, the control unit, and the like in the reference example described above are omitted to avoid duplication.

The foodstuff washing|cleaning apparatus 10b of this reference example has three containers 200a, 200b, 200c, and three main tanks 202a, 202b, 202c which have the 1st accommodation space 201a, 201b, 201c which can each accommodate each container 200a-200c. And three sub-tanks 204a, 204b, 204c arranged adjacent to each of the main tanks 202a to 202c and provided with second storage spaces 203a, 203b, 203c for storing the cleaning liquid, and two main tanks on the downstream side. 202a, 202b, and the liquid guide parts 205a, 205b, 205c for separating the foreign matter from the cleaning liquid while guiding the cleaning liquid overflowing from the first storage spaces 201a, 201b to the second storage spaces 203a-203c of the sub-tanks 204a-204c, Reflux injection parts 206a, 206b, 206c for guiding the cleaning liquid stored in the sub-tanks 204a-204c to the main tanks 202a-202c and injecting them into the first storage spaces 201a-201c, and downstream of the openings of the respective containers 200a-200c. Overflow filters 207a, 207b, 207c detachably provided on the side edge portions on the side and the inversions for angularly displacing each of the containers 200a-200c in the arrow E1 and E2 directions around the axis of the inversion shafts 208a, 208b, 208c. The driving units 209a, 209b, 209c are included.

The food cleaning device 10b of the present reference example is the same device as the food cleaning device 10a of the reference example shown in FIGS. 13 to 17 described above, in order to carry out each step of rough cleaning, sterilization cleaning, and rinse cooling. The main tanks that are arranged adjacent to each other and overflow from the main tanks 202b and 202c in the sterilization cleaning step and the rinse cooling step pass through the water guiding trough 214 that constitutes a part of the liquid guiding sections 205a to 205c and perform the rough cleaning. It is returned to 202a and used for rough cleaning.

Also in such a food material cleaning device 10b, gaps 210a to 210c of ΔL=5 mm or more and 15 mm or less are formed between the containers 200a to 200c and the main tanks 202a to 202c. The cleaning liquid is extruded together with the foreign matter from the through holes 212a, 212b, 212c of the containers 200a to 200c into the gaps 210a to 210c by the dynamic pressure of the jet flows from the jet nozzles 211a, 211b, 211c provided in the reflux jet parts 206a to 206c. To be done.

The cleaning liquid extruded into the gaps 210a to 210c is guided to the low pressure regions 213a, 213b, 213c behind the nozzles generated by the injection of the cleaning liquids from the injection nozzles 211a to 211c, and most of the cleaning liquid is flowing water accompanying the injection. It flows in each container 200a-200c like an arrow F, and the remainder overflows the main tanks 202b and 202c like an arrow G, and is discharged to the water guiding trough 214. Further, the cleaning liquid in the main tank 202a for rough cleaning arranged on the most upstream side has more foreign matters than the cleaning liquids in the main tanks 202b and 202c on the downstream side, and sand, soil, etc. having a larger specific gravity than the cleaning liquid. Most of them are discharged from the drain pipe 216 provided at the bottom of the main tank 202a.

FIG. 20 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the food cleaning device 10b. 20(1) shows the position of the container 200a of the cleaning unit 10b1 used for rough cleaning, FIG. 20(2) shows the position of the container 200b of the cleaning unit 10b2 used for sterilization cleaning, and FIG. 20(3) shows The position of the container 200c of the cleaning unit 10b3 used for rinse cooling is shown. When the start button provided in the control device (not shown) is pressed at time t1, the containers 200a to 200c of all the cleaning units 10b1 to 10b3 are cleaned for rough cleaning from the storage positions stored in the main tanks 202a to 202c. Only the container 200a of the unit 10b1 and the container 200c of the cleaning unit 10b3 for rinsing and cooling are angularly driven to the take-out position by the reversing drive units 209a and 209c, and after the time W1 is maintained, they are returned to the accommodation position at the time t2. This time W1 is set to, for example, 30 sec to 60 sec. In this way, the food material in the container 200a after the rough cleaning is discharged to the container 200b for the sterilization cleaning, and the food material in the container 200c after the rinsing and cooling is discharged to the outside and discharged.

Next, at time t3 after a lapse of time W2 from time t2, the container 200b for sterilization cleaning is angularly driven from the storage position to the take-out position by the reversing drive unit 209b, and the food material after sterilization cleaning is rinsed and cooled. It is dispensed to the container 200c and returned to the storage position at time t4, which is after time W2 from time t2. When the time W4 has elapsed from the time t4, the rough cleaning containers 200a and 200c are again angularly displaced from the accommodation position to the take-out position at the time t5, are held at the take-out position for the time W1, and are stored in the respective containers 200a and 200c. Ingredients are dispensed to the bucket 216, and at time t6, the containers 200a and 200c are returned from the removal position to the storage position, as described above. The containers 200a, 200c and the container 200b repeat the same operation as described above, and a large amount of food materials are continuously washed.

Even in such a food material cleaning device 10b, since the plurality of through holes 212a to 212c are formed dispersedly in each of the containers 200a to 200c, a part of the cleaning liquid sprayed from each of the spray nozzles 211a to 211c is transparent. Since it flows out into the gaps 210a to 210c through the holes 212a to 212c, it is possible to suppress the turbulence of the flows A1, A2, and B, to rectify the food, and to largely flow the food material to achieve a high cleaning power.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing a simplified foodstuff cleaning device 10c according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 is a plan view of the foodstuff cleaning device 10c seen from above in FIG. The corresponding configurations of the main tank, the sub tank, the reflux injection unit including the pump, the liquid introducing unit, the control, and the like in the above-described reference example are omitted to avoid duplication.

The foodstuff washing device 10c of the present embodiment has a first storage space 301 for storing the washing liquid, and has a longitudinal box-shaped main tank 300 extending in one direction, and a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction on the horizontal plane of the main tank 300. A plurality of sub-tanks 303a, 303b, 303c that are arranged adjacent to one side and have a second accommodation space 302 that stores the cleaning liquid, a supply unit 304 that supplies the cleaning liquid to the main tank 300, and a first tank of the main tank 300. The cleaning liquid overflowing from the first storage space 301 is guided to the second storage spaces 302a to 302c of the sub-tanks 303a to 303c, and a liquid introducing unit 305 that separates foreign matters from the cleaning liquid, a reflux injection unit 306, and a circulation unit 307. including.

The reflux injection unit 306 has a suction port and a discharge port for the cleaning liquid, and pumps 308a, 308b for sucking the cleaning liquid in the second storage space 302 of the sub tanks 303a to 303c from the suction port and discharging it from the discharge port. 308c, injection nozzles 309a, 309b, 309c for injecting the cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge ports of the pumps 308a to 308c into the first storage space 301, and provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the main tank 300. A rectangular straightening plate 315 that is provided along the inner wall below each of the injection nozzles 309a to 309c, and has a plurality of through holes 314 dispersed therein, and a carry-out conveyor that carries foodstuffs upward from the first storage space 301. And 310.

The main tank 300, the sub tanks 303a to 303c, the liquid conducting section 305, the partition wall 311, the screw 313, and the flow regulating plate 315 are made of, for example, stainless steel.

FIG. 23 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the structure of the circulation unit 307. The circulation unit 307 is provided at the bottom of the main tank 300 that is long in one direction, and is formed between the main tank 300 and the partition body 311 having a reverse U-shaped cross section extending in the longitudinal direction. A screw 313 arranged in the region on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the flow path 312 with both ends open, a motor 318 having an output shaft 317 to which the screw 313 is fixed at the tip, and a main tank through which the output shaft 317 penetrates. And a bearing body 316 that is provided on the side wall portion of 300 and that supports the output shaft 317 in a watertight manner.

The bearing body 316 is fixed to the lower portion of the side plate at the other longitudinal end of the main tank 300 by welding, and has a fixing member 320 having a shaft hole 319 at the center through which the output shaft 317 is inserted, and a shaft hole of the fixing member 320. The seal member 322 mounted on the 319, the substantially cylindrical retainer member 323 for retaining the seal member 322 in the shaft hole 319, and the fitting hole 324 into which the retainer member 323 fits are provided. The holder 325 that holds the member 323 in the fitting hole 324 and the holder 325 are pressed against the holder 325 in the direction in which the holder 325 is close to the fixing member 320 while being in contact with the one end surface of the holder 325 in the axial direction. It includes an annular pressing ring 326 to be fixed, and a plurality of bolts 327 inserted through the pressing ring 326 and the holder 325 and screwed to the fixing member 320.

One end of the partition wall 311 in the longitudinal direction is opened to form an opening 328a, which is arranged below the carry-out conveyor 310, and the other end of the partition wall 311 in the longitudinal direction is formed with an opening 328b which is open and faces upward. To be done.

One end of a sleeve 329 is welded and fixed to the pressing ring 326. Bearings 330 and 331 that axially support the output shaft 317 are provided at both ends of the sleeve 329 in the axial direction, and a mounting flange 332 to which the motor 318 is attached is welded and fixed to one end of the sleeve 329 in the axial direction. To be done. The bearings 330 and 331 are realized by radial bearings.

When the motor 318 is supplied with drive power from a control unit (not shown), the output shaft 317 and the screw 313 are driven to rotate in one direction, and the wash water in the partition 311 is discharged from one longitudinal end of the partition 311. Flowing to the other end in the longitudinal direction, the cleaning liquid in the main tank 300 is sucked from the opening 328a at one end in the longitudinal direction of the partition wall 311, and the opening 328b in the other end in the longitudinal direction of the partition wall 311 causes the inside of the partition 311 to flow. The cleaning liquid is drained.

Therefore, the cleaning liquid stored on the outside of the partition 311 in the main tank 300 extends from the other end in the longitudinal direction of the main tank 300 (the end on the left side in FIG. 21 on the food material input side) to the one end in the longitudinal direction (in FIG. 21). Toward the right side material discharge side end portion), for example, while moving in the arrow F direction at a circulation rate of about 200 to 600 liters/minute, by the jet flow from the jet nozzles 309a to 309c, in the longitudinal direction on the horizontal plane. The food can be conveyed toward the carry-out conveyor 310 while being agitated by causing the food to flow in the direction of the arrow G in the vertical width direction.

By the circulation unit 307 configured as described above, the cleaning liquid stored in the main tank 300 is sucked from one end in the longitudinal direction of the main tank 300, is discharged from the other end in the longitudinal direction of the main tank 300 via the flow path 312. Then, the cleaning liquid in the main tank 300 can be moved in the direction of the arrow F, and the food can be washed and conveyed while flowing the cleaning liquid by the jet flow from the jet nozzles 309 a to 309 c, and discharged to the discharge conveyor 310.

In particular, by providing the straightening plate 315 in which the plurality of through holes 314 are formed dispersed in the main tank 300, the flow of the cleaning liquid in the main tank 300 that disturbs the jet flow of the jet nozzles 309a to 309c is eliminated. The flow in the arrow G direction can be rectified to make the entire flow a constant large flow. As a result, the food can be largely fluidized, a large amount of the food can be stirred without being damaged, and a high cleaning power can be achieved.

The present invention is capable of the following embodiments.
(1) A main tank in which a first storage space for storing the cleaning liquid is provided so as to open upward,
A bottomed cylindrical container that contains foodstuffs and has a plurality of through-holes dispersed therein and has an opening, wherein a gap is formed between the main tank and the main tank. A container to be housed,
A supply unit for supplying a cleaning liquid to the main tank,
A sub tank disposed adjacent to the main tank and provided with a second storage space for storing the cleaning liquid;
A liquid guiding part for guiding the cleaning liquid overflowing from the first storage space of the main tank to the second storage space;
A recirculation injection unit configured to inject the cleaning liquid stored in the sub tank into the first accommodation space,
A pump which has a suction port and a discharge port for the cleaning liquid, and which sucks the cleaning liquid in the second accommodation space from the suction port and discharges it from the discharge port;
A recirculation injection unit including a spray nozzle that sprays the cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge port of the pump into the first housing space, the foodstuff cleaning device.

(2) An overflow filter, which is provided at the opening of the container so as to project upward from the opening, prevents an ingredient from passing from the container to the sub tank, and allows a cleaning liquid to pass therethrough, further includes: It is characterized by

(3) The overflow filter is attachable to and detachable from the opening of the container.

(4) The container is angled around a horizontal axis line between the accommodation position where the container is accommodated in the first accommodation space of the main tank and the ejection position where the container is ejected to the outside of the first accommodation space. It is characterized by further including a reversing drive unit for displacing.

According to the present invention, the food material is stored in the first storage space of the main tank, the cleaning liquid overflows from the first storage space into the first storage space of the main tank by the supply unit, and the cleaning liquid is stored in the second storage tank of the second storage tank. The cleaning liquid is supplied until it is stored in the accommodation space, and the cleaning liquid stored in the sub-tank is guided to the main tank by the reflux injection unit and injected into the first accommodation space of the main tank. The food in the storage space can be washed. When the cleaning liquid is sprayed into the first storage space by the spray nozzle of the recirculation spray unit, the spray flow contacts the container and is guided along the container. A part of the cleaning liquid guided along the container passes through the through hole, flows out into the gap between the container and the main tank, and pressurizes the cleaning liquid in the gap. By pressurizing the cleaning liquid in the gap, the cleaning liquid overflows from the gap between the container in the first accommodation space and the main tank to the liquid guiding section, and the overflowing cleaning liquid is separated from the food material by the liquid guiding section. After the foreign matters are separated from the cleaning liquid, they are introduced into the second storage space of the sub tank.

Therefore, the cleaning liquid is circulated between the first storage space of the main tank and the second storage space of the sub tank by the reflux injection unit and the liquid guiding unit, and is used for cleaning the food in the first storage space during such circulation. As a result, foreign substances that have separated from the food are removed, so the amount of cleaning liquid used for cleaning can be reduced and the condition of the cleaning liquid can be maintained as compared with the conventional method in which the cleaning liquid is immediately discarded after being used for cleaning. It is possible to maintain a clear state that is suitable for cleaning, and it is possible to remove foreign substances adhering to food materials as reliably as possible.

Further, since a plurality of through holes are formed dispersedly in the container, a part of the jet of the cleaning liquid jetted from the jet nozzle passes through the through holes and flows out to the gap. As a result, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of a reflection flow that disturbs the flow along the container, form a large flow in the entire container, and cause the food material to flow largely together with the cleaning liquid, thereby obtaining a high cleaning power.

Further, according to the present invention, since the plurality of through holes are formed dispersedly in the straightening plate, part of the jet flow of the cleaning liquid jetted from the jet nozzle passes through the through holes and flows out to the gap. . This reduces the generation of a reflection flow that disturbs the flow along the straightening vane, forms a large flow in the entire main tank, and while the cleaning liquid is circulated by the circulation part, the cleaning liquid is made to flow by the jet flow injected from the injection nozzle. Therefore, high detergency can be achieved.

The present invention can be embodied in various other forms without departing from the spirit or the main characteristics thereof. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are merely examples in all respects, and the scope of the present invention is shown in the claims and not limited to the text of the specification. Furthermore, all modifications and changes that come within the scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

10c Foodstuff cleaning device 301 1st accommodation space 300 Main tank 302 2nd accommodation space 303a, 303b, 303c Sub tank 304 Supply part 305 Liquid delivery part 306 Reflux injection part 307 Circulation part 308a, 308b, 308c Pump 309a, 309b, 309c Injection Nozzle 310 Delivery conveyor 311 Partition body 312 Flow path 313 Screw 314 Through hole 315 Rectifying plate 316 Bearing body 318 Motor 319 Shaft hole 320 Fixing member 322 Sealing member 323 Retaining member 324 Fitting hole 325 Holder 326 Pressing ring 326 Pressing ring 328a opening 328b opening 329 sleeves 330, 331 bearing 332 mounting flange

Claims (2)

A first tank having a first storage space for storing the cleaning liquid opened upward, the first storage space being a long box-shaped body extending in one direction;
A current plate provided in the first storage space of the main tank and having a plurality of through holes dispersed therein;
A supply unit for supplying a cleaning liquid to the main tank,
A sub tank disposed adjacent to the main tank and provided with a second storage space for storing the cleaning liquid;
A liquid guiding part for guiding the cleaning liquid overflowing from the first storage space of the main tank to the second storage space;
A reflux injection unit for injecting the cleaning liquid stored in the sub tank into the first accommodation space,
A pump which has a suction port and a discharge port for the cleaning liquid, and which sucks the cleaning liquid in the second accommodation space from the suction port and discharges it from the discharge port;
A recirculation jet unit including a jet nozzle that jets the cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge port of the pump from one side portion in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the main tank on the horizontal plane to the other side portion in the width direction. ,
A circulation unit that takes in the cleaning liquid stored in the first storage space from one longitudinal end of the main tank and discharges the taken cleaning liquid from the other longitudinal end of the main tank to the first storage space, Including,
The circulation unit is
A partition body which is provided at the bottom of the main tank and extends in the longitudinal direction of the main tank and has a reverse U-shaped cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and is a partition member in the longitudinal direction between the bottom and the bottom of the main tank. A partition wall forming a flow path whose both ends are open;
And a screw disposed in the flow path and driven to rotate in one direction . The foodstuff cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising a carry-out conveyor that is provided at one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the main tank and carries out foodstuffs upward from the first accommodation space.

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